Join EFQUEL Special Interest Group on Quality Mark for eLearning

The objective of the SIG "Quality Mark for eLearning" is to engage in a collective research on the development of a European Quality Mark for eLearning and define a model where the Foundation could support existing quality marks related to the use of knowledge, information and learning technologies (KILT) in education, training and learning.

The outcome of this research will be a report providing series of recommendations for the establishment of a European Quality Mark for the use of technologies in learning.

Some of the issues that will be addressed by the SIG:

§   Do we need a European Quality Mark? What gap does it fill?

§   How should it relate to existing Quality Marks? Cooperation or competition?

§   Should it be a “meta award” (e.g. a European Award obtained after recognition by another quality mark?) or an award in its own right?

§   What criteria or standards should be used? A compilation of existing ones or a new set? How should we deal with existing copyrights?

§   What should be its functional coverage? Extensive of limited (e.g. should implementing interactive white boards be part of it)? Technologies, individuals (learners/professionals), organisations (providers/users) communities (learning regions)?

§   Should the criteria or standards used be “absolute” or “relative” references (measuring conformance or progress and innovation)?

§   Should this award be delivered through a standard certification process or peer recognition?

§   Should it be awarded directly by the Foundation or through existing awarding bodies?

§   How should it cope with national and regional differences to avoid stigmatisation?

“We are looking forward to contribute to a useful and interesting research” says Brian Merison, General Manager of the British Learning Association (BLA). “we believe that the establishment of a European Quality Mark could increase the recognition of our own Quality Mark and increase the transparency of learning provision and the use of learning technologies in Europe.”

“There is a demand for a comprehensive, affordable and smart learning quality assurance system in Europe” says Kathryn Chang Barker, Chair of LIfIA, Canada, Founding Member of the EFQUEL. “The eQcheck, originally developed by the Canadian government to protect customers of eLearning, now available in Europe through EIfEL is looking forward to a European Quality Mark that recognising the unique value of eQcheck to quality in eLearning from the point of view of the learner.”

For Serge Ravet, CEO of EIfEL and board member of EFQUEL, “because we don’t learn in the 21^st century the same way we did in the 20^th quality systems must reflect that change. The role of the new Foundation is to reflect on the consequences of these changes and come with innovative solutions, while supporting all those who today, like BLA or LIfIA are providing valuable solutions to the market”

EIfEL and EFQUEL Members and potential members are also invited to attend the first Innovation for Quality in eLearning Conference to be held on 29-30 November, 2005 in Berlin, prior to Online Educa Berlin. Details about the Innovation for Quality in E-Learning conference and EFQUEL can be found at: www.qualityfoundation.org

For more information about the events, activities and membership benefits please contact Philippe Verstraete who will be pleased to explain how to join and the benefits of EIfEL and EFQUEL membership.

Contacts: Philippe Verstraete philippe.verstraete@eife-l.org

About EIfEL

EIfEL (European Institute for E-Learning) is a non-profit European professional association created in 2001 and headquartered in France, whose mission is to support the continuing professional development of individuals and the transformation of organisations to build a knowledge economy and a learning society.

EIfEL is at the forefront of eLearning, quality and ePortfolio in Europe, supporting organisations and public authorities in developing the learning policies of the 21st Century. EIfEL is leading Europortfolio, the European consortium for the ePortfolio (www.europortfolio.org) and a Founding Member of the European Foundation for Quality in E-Learning (EFQUEL, www.qualityfoundation.org)

Contact: Philippe Verstraete philippe.verstraete@eife-l.org Tel: +33 3 8643 1343 www.eife-l.org

The BLA is a centre of expertise that produces best practice examples, identifies trends and disseminates information on both innovative and well-established techniques and technologies for learning. We aim to synthesise existing knowledge, develop original solutions and disseminate this to a wide cross sector membership.

The British Learning Association (BLA) awards a Quality Mark that provides a structured and systematic approach to drive quality improvement in the development, provision and use of learning solutions using a framework adapted from the EFQM Excellence Model.

Contact:  Brian Merison: brian@british-learning.com; www.british-learning.com

LIfIA, Learning Innovations Forum d'Innovation d'Apprentissage is a non-profit Canadian professional organisation. The mission of LIfIA is to promote learning innovations as they benefit learners, organizations and communities.

LIfIA is promoting open standards for quality (Open EQLS) and eQcheck an accreditation system for quality in eLearning in Europe through QualitE-Learning Assurance Services Ltd.

Contact: Phone +44 0131 208 0028.  Dr. Kathryn Barker kbarker@eQcheck.com

European Foundation for Quality in eLearning (EFQUEL), supported by the European Commission was legally established on June, 30th, 2005 in Brussels, bringing together some of the most significant European actors in the field of eLearning.

Contact: Philippe Verstraete philippe.verstraete@eife-l.org Tel: +33 3 8643 1343 www.qualityfoundation