Evaluation

I will give slightly cynical answers (wherever I can) and see if there is any debate:

Why is evaluation important to you and how do you define it?

From an industry perspective evaluation is a quality control check on a production line, it is a check carried out after each process. It ensures that the process carried on the part (or product) has been effective and the part confirms (at the end of the process) to the parameters defined at the beginning of the process. If the part fails to meet the specifications other processes are carried out to correct it or the part is discarded. The final aim of all evaluations is to ensure that the product is fit for purpose and the processes carried out on it have been successful. Evaluation is important because as a production line-man my success depends on the effectiveness of the processes that I have carried out on the part


Why is quality important in eLearning? (Answer based on anecdotal evidence, is open to arguments)
Quality is very important in eLearning because there have been many fly-by-night operators who actually are only providers of learning materials but are posing as learning institutions. Their (product) output fails to meet the client’s (or industry) minimum standards for use (i.e. not fit for purpose). This has given the education industry and the eLearning business a bad name. To maintain the clients trust, which will lead to on-going business for eLearning courses, it is imperative that quality in eLearning is maintained.

Introduction

Hi Everyone

My name is Anupam, I am a part time lecturer at the School of Business, Otago Polytechnic. My main experience has been in International Trading in India and Taiwan. I moved to New Zealand in 1996 to do an MBA at the Otago University. During 96-98 there was a big currency crisis in SE Asia and I could not even get half-the-job I was used to so I decided to start my own business. I set up a specialist vegetarian restaurant in Dunedin and ran that for 7 years. In 2006 I realised my PD had stalled and it was time for a change. I sold the restaurant and took up part time teaching.

The reason why I am doing this course is first to see how I can increase the student experience and enhance their learning (without increasing costs), and then to look at the future of education delivery in general and how I can play a part in it. I have a 7 yr old daughter. My wife works at the Polytechnic as a lecturer in the School of Fashion.

I am looking forward to this experience

Anupam