L8 4 1

=Feedback collected regularly from students regarding the effectiveness of the assessment activities. =

Evidence
There is an ongoing need to monitor the use of e-learning and ICTs for course delivery because there is as yet no consensus about what constitutes quality e-learning (Usoro & Abid 2008). These authors state that, ‘effective quality strategies, initiatives and tools are very important for convincing lecturers and other stakeholders to adopt e-learning’ (p. 80). Kidney et al. (2007) believe that, ‘a quality online course would be the direct result of a course creation process that included quality assurance strategies’ (p. 18).

Hill (2003) has examined quality in higher education (HE) from the perspective of students. Some of the most influential factors in provision of quality HE were found to be the quality of the lecturer and the student support systems. One concern is that e-learning will detrimentally affect the stimulating environment between lecturer and students (Gibbs 2001). Such fears underscore the importance of obtaining regular feedback on quality from students.

The need for institutions and teachers to solicit and analyse student feedback that is formative, summative, and based on multiple independent and standard evaluations is well acknowledged (Kirkpatrick, 1997; Forsyth et al., 1999; Arreola, 2000; Sherry, 2003; Thompson and Irlene, 2003; Brennan and Williams, 2004). Student feedback is a reliable and important measure of teaching and learning quality that can be used to inform action for improvements; it is also informative for prospective students (Brennan et al., 2003; Richardson, 2005a, 2005b). However, for feedback to be of use for improving teaching and learning it must be understood and acted upon (Kember et al., 2002).

Richardson (2005a) identifies some obvious but key issues for obtaining reliable and useful information: “Feedback should be sought at the level at which one is endeavouring to monitor quality…the focus should be on students’ perceptions of key aspects of teaching or on key aspects of the quality of their programmes…feedback should be collected as soon as possible after the relevant educational activity” (p. 409-10).

The UKeU failed because there was not a demand for it. The focus on e-learning must not be on what technology can do, but perhaps predominantly on what customers want. Therefore, we must continuously obtain student feedback on e-learning initiatives and courses.

Resources
There are many methods of obtaining student feedback on e-courses. However, Jara & Mellar (2010) note several barriers to the collection of effective feedback. Their case-study analysis suggests that course teams need to address the quantity and quality of feedback they are gathering. But more importantly the data must be acted upon. Apart from course evaluations, feedback can be obtained through student representation, and through the close relationships of students to online tutors. Online events, online discussion boards, and other similar measures have been implemented with varying success. Jara & Mellar discuss other literature that suggests embedding feedback mechanisms in course activities.

Institutions could use the Student Evaluation of Teaching and Learning Questionnaire: http://www.cetl.hku.hk/system/files/SETL.pdf which has several questions pertaining to student satisfaction with assessment practices.