Quality assurance and accreditation in open and distance education

Abstract

In the 21st century, rapid developments and changes in the field of information and technology lead the society to change in every field. In this period, which can be called the digital era, it seems essential for societies to improve themselves. It is thought that the most important factor in the development and change of societies is education. The Ministry of National Education (MEB) and the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) are responsible for the development of education systems in our country. Quality Assurance and Accreditation systems have been used in higher education in order to keep up with the modern-day education. In this context, institutions have been established in order to provide quality assurance and accreditation in higher education in Europe and in our country within the scope of the Bologna process. In addition, in line with today's developing technology, increasing number of students, increasing interest in education and learning independent of time and place, the accreditation processes of distance education and distance education programs are gaining in importance. The aim of the study is to evaluate the reflections of quality assurance and accreditation studies in higher education institutions in Turkey on distance education in the axis of the determined questions. As a result of the study, it is concluded that open and distance education institutions should have certain quality standards and ensure this by accreditation. In addition, a table was created showing the aims and benefits of quality assurance and accreditation practices in distance education.