WEAN Accreditation Criteria for Online Courses
- Curriculum Quality and Relevance
- The course content should be up-to-date, relevant, and aligned with industry, academic, or professional standards.
- The curriculum must be comprehensive, covering all fundamental aspects of the subject matter and providing depth where needed.
- Educational Objectives and Outcomes
- Clearly defined learning objectives that are achievable and measurable.
- Course outcomes must align with the intended skills, knowledge, and competencies learners are expected to gain.
- Instructor Qualifications
- Instructors should have appropriate academic qualifications and/or professional experience relevant to the course topic.
- Instructors must demonstrate a capability to teach effectively in an online environment.
- Pedagogical Approach
- Courses should employ effective teaching methodologies suitable for online learning, which may include interactive components, multimedia, and varied instructional materials.
- There should be a demonstrated pedagogical rationale for the structure and delivery of the course content.
- Assessment Methods
- Robust assessment methods that accurately measure learner outcomes and provide feedback.
- Use varied assessment tools (quizzes, assignments, projects, exams) to cater to diverse learning styles and ensure comprehensive evaluation.
- Technology and Platform Usability
- The online platform must be technically reliable, user-friendly, and supportive of a seamless learning experience.
- Adequate technological support must be available to both learners and instructors.
- Accessibility and Inclusivity
- Courses must be accessible to individuals with disabilities, adhering to international accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG).
- Efforts should include diverse learning materials catering to various cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
- Student Support Services
- Provision of adequate student support services, including technical support, tutoring, counselling, and career guidance.
- Availability of resources for learners to engage with peers and instructors.
- Ethical Standards and Integrity
- Courses must promote academic honesty and integrity, with clear policies on plagiarism and cheating.
- Instructors and learners should adhere to high ethical standards in all course activities.
- Continuous Improvement
- Mechanisms for the regular review and update of course content and delivery based on learner feedback and new developments in the field.
- Commitment to ongoing professional development for instructors and continual learning environment enhancement.
Process for Accreditation
- Application and Documentation: Course providers apply detailed course materials, instructor credentials, and descriptions of support services via this link.
- Review and Evaluation: Subject matter experts and educational technologists review course submissions against the accreditation criteria.
- Feedback and Adjustment: Course providers receive input and may need adjustments to meet the accreditation standards.
- Accreditation Approval: Once all criteria are met, the course is accredited by WEAN, which may include periodic reviews to maintain accreditation status. Accredited courses may display the WEAN logo.
