Determining distance education quality standards and analysis of Ataturk University Distance Education System

In this research, it is aimed to determine the Distance Education Quality Standards based on data obtained from a detailed literature review and document analysis in accordance with the expert opinions and find out distance education professionals' views about the importance and usability of these standards and finally evaluate the Ataturk University Distance Education Application and Research Center accordance with the standards. In this study, exploratory design was used which start from quantitative methods continues to qualitative methods. In the qualitative part of the study, a document analysis was conducted on distance education standards identified by international distance education institutions. All of the selected standard items were evaluated in two rounds by distance education experts (N=9, N=14) and finally those items were determined as Distance Education Quality Standards. In the quantitative part of the study, the opinions of distance education professionals regarding the importance and usability of the standards was taken by Inventory of Distance Education Standards. The inventory were administrated to distance education center staff (N = 56) of Ankara University, Gazi University, İstanbul University and Sakarya University which were selected through convenient sampling method from minimum four years of experience in distance education. Distance education staff has different roles such as managers, instructors, technical personnel and content developer. Lastly, results were also indicated that ATAUZEM meet 79% of the standards of Distance Learning Practices Assessment Inventory.