Quality, Cost and Access: How Can QM Address the Dilemma of the Iron Triangle?

Quality is perceived as intrinsically connected to cost and access, as defined in the eternal triangle concept; that is, an increase on one side of the triangle necessitates adjustments in the other two with at least one of those being decreased. The Iron Triangle has been related to education in that increasing quality of education increases cost and therefore would greatly reduce access to education. Technology is suggested as a way to break, or at least add flexibility to the iron triangle. But, from whose viewpoint and how? Three perspective of quality in online education – from a student view, from a faculty view, and from an administrator view will be discussed as they relate to interaction, digital resources, support, curriculum design and development, planning and oversight, monitoring and progress, and program evaluation and assessment. A framework will be presented from which to launch a discussion. How might they all be considered in light of the costs of increasing access to education while still assuring quality? How can Quality Matters and more specifically the Quality Matters Program Certification contribute to assuring quality for all the stakeholders? What are the relationships of QM standards and the Iron Triangle? How might the concept of the Iron Triangle be used in a research study?