E-xcellence: the quality of e-learning
 | In 2009 the E-xcellence project ended. This three-year project developed procedures and instruments with which universities can benchmark the quality of their e-learning and formulate plans for improvement. In this European project that started end of 2006, the Dutch Open Universiteit (CELSTEC) worked with a group of European partners. The Dutch OU formed with the Britsish OU and the University of Oulu (Finland) the core group. |
Quick Scan or Full Assessment
The project resulted in instruments and procedures that universities and accreditation organisations can integrate in their own systems of quality assessment. The website of the project offers a choice between a Quick Scan and a Full Assessment. The quality of an institutions e-learning is assessed using 33 benchmarks in the field of curriculum design, course design, course delivery, student support, staff support and (institutional) management.
13 countries
In the first phase of the project, the benchmarks were identified and instruments were developed. In the second phase (2008-2009) the E-xcellence team members visited the users. The instruments and procedures were presented to universities and national accreditation organisations in 13 countries. The project team discussed with the partners how the E-xcellence system could be integrated in their own internal quality assessment system. At two universities a ‘full assessment’ took place: at the Universiteit of Lund (Sweden) and at the School of Psychology of the Dutch Open Universiteit. For the other partners local seminars were organised. A local seminar is a two-day session in which members of the E-xcellence project met with a delegation of the universities and national accreditation organisations. During the session the experiences with and implementation possibilities of the products, procedures and instruments were presented and evaluated.
Positive reactions
The users were in general positive: the benchmarks offer a good framework for programme or faculty to systematically evaluate the quality of e-learning and to develop improvement plans. The use of the label by national accreditation organisations varies strongly between participating countries. A representative of the Dutch organisation NVAO was present at the full assessment of the School of Psychology of the Dutch OU in order to see if the tool can be recommended for the Netherlands and Flanders.
EADTU quality label
EADTU, the organisation of European Distance Teaching Universities, provides a label to stimulate universities to follow a path of continuous improvement of their e-learning performance. The procedure includes the integration of (most) of the E-xcellence benchmarks in the internal quality assurance system. This to show that the tool is integral part of the internal assessment rather than an single assessment. The label needs to be renewed every 3 years, when a new self-assessment and path of improvement is presented. It therefore is actually rewarding continued quality improvement.
CELSTEC's contribution
CELSTEC contributed to the identification and definition of the benchmarks and the development of the E-xcellence instruments. The core group of which CELSTEC is a member, organised the full assessments and local seminars. CELSTEC staff were involved as review partner in the local seminars, e.g. in Leuven, Bern, Tallinn, Bratislava and Moskow.
E-xcellence+
As an extension to the benchmarking process of E-xcellence the “E-xcellence club” has been founded. In line with the principle of benchmarking, “members” are peer reviewers of fellow-members. This by blogs, discussion forums, flash meeting etc. Universities labelled as Excellence Associates have (as an option) access to this virtual meeting place on quality in e-learning. Openness is required and should be build on trust between club members. It is about sharing weaknesses and strengths by building networked meetings of improvement. It is a place to learn as well as present your expertise.
More information and the E-xcellence tools you'll find on the E-xcellence website.
More on the E-xcellence+ membership on the E-xcellence+ website
