Development of an online global education evaluation scale

Purpose After the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated online global education, this study developed a practical online global education evaluation scale. With collaborative online international learning as an exemplar of online exchange, this study aims to examine key measurement properties (factor structure, internal consistency and construct validity) to address difficulties in evaluating intercultural learning and to support quality assurance in online international education. Design/methodology/approach Item generation and expert review produced a 41-item pool. Content validity was assessed by six experts (S-CVI/Ave = 0.95). An online survey was administered to 263 students across five programs in three countries; 128 responses were analyzed. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, multitrait scaling and internal consistency analyses were conducted. Findings The final scale contains 21 items across four factors: Objective understanding of global issues, understanding of global issues using digital skills, active communication and considering solutions. Model fit was acceptable (CFI = 0.885; RMSEA = 0.096). Scaling success was 89–100%. Reliability was high (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.94 overall; 0.85–0.92 for subscales). Originality/value The scale provides a validated, context-specific measure of learning outcomes in online global education and can be used to guide program improvement and to compare outcomes across courses and contexts as part of quality assurance in higher education.