What are the most common e-learning quality assurance challenges and how can you overcome them?

2 Technical functionality and usability

Another important aspect of quality assurance is to ensure that the e-learning courses are technically functional and user-friendly. This means that the courses should work properly on different devices, browsers, and platforms, without any errors, glitches, or compatibility issues. It also means that the courses should have a clear and consistent design, navigation, and layout, that facilitate the user experience and engagement. To ensure technical functionality and usability, you should test the courses thoroughly before launching them, use standard tools and formats, and solicit feedback from the users and stakeholders.

3 Accessibility and inclusivity

A third aspect of quality assurance is to ensure that the e-learning courses are accessible and inclusive for all learners, regardless of their abilities, backgrounds, or preferences. This means that the courses should follow the universal design for learning principles, which provide multiple ways of representation, expression, and engagement for the learners. It also means that the courses should comply with the accessibility standards and guidelines, such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), which provide criteria for making the content perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust. To ensure accessibility and inclusivity, you should use appropriate fonts, colors, contrasts, captions, transcripts, alt texts, and other features that enhance the accessibility and inclusivity of the content.

4 Assessment and evaluation

A fourth aspect of quality assurance is to ensure that the e-learning courses have valid and reliable assessment and evaluation methods and tools. This means that the courses should have clear and measurable learning outcomes, criteria, and indicators, that align with the learning objectives and standards of the course. It also means that the courses should have varied and balanced assessment and evaluation methods and tools, such as quizzes, assignments, portfolios, surveys, and feedback forms, that measure the learners' progress and achievement, as well as the quality and effectiveness of the course. To ensure assessment and evaluation, you should design and implement the assessment and evaluation methods and tools carefully, use rubrics and scales to grade and report the results, and use data and analytics to monitor and improve the course.

5 Communication and collaboration

A fifth aspect of quality assurance is to ensure that the e-learning courses have effective and efficient communication and collaboration mechanisms and strategies. This means that the courses should have clear and consistent communication and collaboration channels, policies, and expectations, that support the interaction and engagement of the learners, instructors, and stakeholders. It also means that the courses should have appropriate and diverse communication and collaboration mechanisms and strategies, such as forums, chats, emails, webinars, podcasts, blogs, and social media, that foster the exchange of information, feedback, and support. To ensure communication and collaboration, you should use the communication and collaboration mechanisms and strategies regularly, create a sense of community and trust, and promote active and meaningful participation.

6 Quality assurance standards and frameworks

A sixth aspect of quality assurance is to ensure that the e-learning courses follow the quality assurance standards and frameworks that are relevant and applicable to the context and purpose of the course. This means that the courses should adhere to the quality assurance standards and frameworks that are established and recognized by the relevant authorities, institutions, and organizations, such as accreditation bodies, professional associations, and industry partners. It also means that the courses should undergo quality assurance audits and reviews, that verify and validate the quality of the courses, and provide recommendations and improvements. To ensure quality assurance standards and frameworks, you should research and identify the quality assurance standards and frameworks that are suitable for your course, follow the quality assurance criteria and indicators, and document and report the quality assurance processes and outcomes.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?