Tony Peña's Article in Distance Learning Journal

Discussion in 'Accreditation Discussions (RA, DETC, state approva' started by Rich Douglas, Apr 4, 2016.

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  1. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    In Vol 12, No. 4 (2015), our own Tony Peña co-authored an article on quality control in distance learning. In it, the authors note the lack of a unified standard in this area. They call out the utility of using the one from SACS (for institution-level quality control) and another, the Quality Scorecard for the Administration of Online Education Programs (for a micro-level look at things like course design).

    Comment:

    This is good stuff, and it illustrates the challenges involved with applying standards to this dynamic aspect of higher education. Still, it illustrates the need for a standardized process every school could use, not just the ones accessing these tools. You know, like a programmatic accrediting agency focused on DL programs in otherwise-accredited schools. (I'm looking at you, DEAC!)

    Thanks, Tony. Great stuff.
     
  2. Bruce

    Bruce Moderator

    Is Tony still active here? I can't recall seeing him recently.
     
  3. Lerner

    Lerner Well-Known Member

    In professional groups on LinkenIn the bashing of NA, and DETC- DEAC is uncontrolled. Especially that moderators there can do what ever they want.
    Moderator for one such group of Professional Engineers openly calls DEAC - DETC ad group of self accrediting business scammers, that it was setup to accredit scam schools - I paraphrase..
    Basically universities like CA National University - DEAC accredited are labeled as Degree Mills, that includes Cal Coast and Grantham.
    The labeling is one of the worse I've heard, and many PE's join the moderator in his views.
    All I seen was some extracts that a friend who is a member of these groups sent me.
    There is more that I didn't see but basically if you are Grantham or CNU graduate you will be scrutinized and labeled as fraud.
    In this case its ABET or highway. DEAC will not be trusted as anything among these persons who under "public safety" and anti states Industrial Exemption rules disqualify and slander non RA/ABET schools and their graduates.

    I guess the question is how will professional accrediting bodies such as APA, ABET etc associate them selves with DEAC if DEAC emerges as professional Accreditor of DL Programs in such schools?
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 15, 2016
  4. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    I would suspect the other programmatic accreditors would get along with DEAC a lot more if it, too, was a programmatic accreditor (of DL programs) rather than an institutional one.

    The ABET issue has been around a long time. In the late 1970s, Western New England College had an operation on Hanscom AFB where I was assigned as an education specialist. The base was a purchasing and R&D base with a lot of engineers (military and civilian) assigned. We had a lot of people pursuing master's degrees at schools all over Massachusetts. Almost all of the engineering programs our folks attended were ABET-accredited, but the one on base by WNEC was not. Many of our students simply would not attend it, choosing instead to attend less-convenient programs off-base. (WNEC is now WNEU and the engineering school is ABET-accredited.)

    ABET accreditation is a significant issue with employers in the public and private sectors. It's no surprise that, in the engineering field, DEAC-accredited programs are less valued.
     
  5. Anthony Pina

    Anthony Pina Active Member

    Rich,

    Just discovered this post. Thank you for your very kind words. Things have been going well on the publication front for the past few years. The new book (number four) will be available in September https://www.amazon.com/Leading-Managing-e-Learning-Educational-Communications and things are going well on the journal article front as well. I am blessed to be able to work with talented colleagues.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 18, 2017
  6. Anthony Pina

    Anthony Pina Active Member

    I am not as active here as I used to be (work and other demands), but I come on every now and then. I'll try to do better.
     
  7. Tireman 44444

    Tireman 44444 Well-Known Member

    We will take anything we can get from you Dr. Pina!!
     
  8. Lerner

    Lerner Well-Known Member

    There is DEAC accredited university, Grantham University that offers BScEET ABET accredited degree.
     
  9. Anthony Pina

    Anthony Pina Active Member

    Well, with that kind of positive reinforcement, I may just need to hang around more often!

    Thank you for the kindness.
     
  10. Anthony Pina

    Anthony Pina Active Member

    Interestingly, we had a Grantham grad apply for one of our master's programs today.
     

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