Gina Mejía-Madrid’s research while affiliated with Central University of Ecuador and other places

Universities are developing a large number of Open Learning projects that must be subjectto quality evaluation. However, these projects have some special characteristics that make theusual quality models not respond to all their requirements. A fundamental part in a quality modelis a visual representation of the results (a dashboard) that can facilitate decision making. In thispaper, we propose a complete model for evaluating the quality of Open Learning courses and thedesign of a dashboard to represent its results. The quality model is hierarchical, with four levelsof abstraction: components, elements, attributes and indicators. An interesting contribution is thedefinition of the standards in the form of fulfillment levels, that are easier to interpret and allow usinga color code to build a heat map that serves as a dashboard. It is a regular nonagon, divided intosectors and concentric rings, in which each color intensity represents the fulfillment level reachedby each abstraction level. The resulting diagram is a compact and visually powerful representation,which allows the identification of the strengths and weaknesses of the Open Learning course. A casestudy of an Ecuadorian university is also presented to complete the description and draw newconclusions.

In higher education institutions, the use of the virtual platform, rather than a support tool for the training of professionals, should favor the teaching-learning process, as a superlative purpose it should even ally with teaching to favor teaching Innovation. Innovation in higher education strengthens the teacher-student and student-student relationship to make learning achievements effective. Society, immersed in a technological world, demands that this space of digital interaction, become a space for educational Innovation. In addition, it is very important to identify actions implemented by teaching using the platform and even identify the characteristics of the actions that are considered innovative. The study found interesting findings that guide the use of the virtual platform, the training with didactic and technological accompaniment is vital for the teacher, the favorable appreciation to the technology on the part of the teaching must take advantage in education, the innovative practices that have Successful at the Central University are associated with research and collaborative work.

The article describes a proposed model for assessing the quality of higher distance education based on the technologies of the Information and Communication. This model can be adopted by higher education institutions in order to ensure proper use of Information Technologies and Communication in teaching and learning processes, and strategic processes that support the distance education. This research will use models and success stories from other countries as a basis for generating a preliminary model. Furthermore, this research contains initial reports and results as to justify the contribution of it.