The Open ECBCheck is an accreditation and quality improvement scheme for e-Learning programmes. It supports capacity building organizations to assess the quality of their e-Learning programmes, facilitating continuous improvement through peer reviews and collaboration. Initially developed by the European Foundation for Quality in e-Learning (EFQUEL) and InWent, the OPEN ECBCheck initiative is now supported by over 30 international organizations involved in the delivery of capacity-building activities, including eight United Nations agencies. The overarching goal of the Open ECBCheck initiative is to raise the standards of technology enhanced learning programmes in the field of capacity building.

1. Prof. Dr. Ulf-Daniel Ehlers European Foundation for Quality in E-Learning
University of Augsburg

2. What is Open ECBCHeck?
Open ECBCheck
stands for
Open Certification Standard for E-Learning in
Capacity Building

3. Scope of Open ECBCheck
 Open = Inclusiveness – developed through a
multistakeholder involvement
 Certification = Quality Framework provides possibilty to
obtain a certification for e-learning programmes or courses
 Programmes = training/learning offer that consists of
several modules, a number of lessons, min. 100 hours
 Courses = short learning units, max.100 hours
 E-L = min. 20% of technology enhanced learning
 Capacity Building = International provision across borders,
post graduate

4. Objective of Open ECBCheck
To build a quality label for e-learning which serves
the needs of the community of CBOs to improve
quality, strengthen recognition, enable individual
and organisational learning through
 Recognition – recognition of quality achievements through building
a community
 Consensus – creating an international consensus on quality criteria
 Openness – to existing concepts and strategies and experiences
 Inclusiveness – building on a multistakeholder involvement
 Transparency – creating quality transparency through clear criteria
& processes

5. Partners and Initiators
InWEnt
European Foundation for Quality in E-Learning
United Nations University
International Labour Organisation
Food and Agricultural organisation
UNEP
CoL
UNITAR
CGIAR
SPIDER
International Institut for Communication Development
European Foundation for Management Development
World bank Institute
African Virtual University
Open University Catalunya
Namibia Qualifications Authority
South African Qualifications Authority
University of Western Cape
Open University of Philippines
…

6. Join the charter
& exchange
experiences:
QWIKI
Analyse your
courses &
programmes
Learning report with
recommendations
through a peer-
review
Open ECBCheck Architecture
Label
Criteria
Framework
Open ECB Check
Community
Meetings, Workshops
Accra June 2008
Berlin DEC 2008
Dakar May 2009
Berlin DEC 2009
Lusaka May 2010
Self-Assessment
for courses and
programmes
Peer-Review Guideline
and certification
process

7. Open ECBCheck Target Groups
Open ECBCheck Adaptations
Self-
Assessment
Certification
(Peer-Review)
Dev. of Local
Profiles
Capacity Building Organisations
Internal (recognition,
quality improvement)  
External (for partner
capacity building)   
Educational organisations
(HE, VET, etc.)  
Governmental Organisations
(National Quality Assurance
Agencies)

Regional Networks, Communi-
ties (LA, East Africa, etc.)  

8. Achievements today
 Self-Assessment Tools: Release 2010
 Open accessible online Tool for
 self-assessment and
 peer-review
 Open ECBCheck Charter for Quality
improvement
 Review-Guideline

9. Criteria Areas
Seven distinct criteria areas
 A Information about + organization of programme
 B Target Audience Orientation
 C Quality of Content
 D Programme/ Course Design
 E Media Design
 F Technology
 G Evaluation & Review
Criteria Area  Criteria  Description  Guiding
Questions  Evaluation
Criteria are designed to assess courses or programmes

10. Criteria Framework Example

11. AvailableasonlineorPDFofflineversion

12. Overview
Area TOT M E
A Information about + organization of programme 7 7 0
B Target Audience Orientation 6 1 5
C Quality of Content 4 3 1
D Programme/ Course Design 25 17 8
E Media Design 4 4 0
F Technology 4 4 0
G Evaluation & Review 3 3 0
TOT 53 39 14

13. Open ECBCheck 4 HE
 Open ECBCheck is designed for Programmes and
Courses and can be used for Distance Learning
Programmes in Higher Education
 Open ECBCheck can be used as a guideline for
development and delivery of courses and programmes
AND as a certification scheme
 The criteria framework can be adjusted to institution
specific aspects and contexts
 Open ECBCheck can be used in institution internal and
external peer-review partnerships

14. Questions?

15. Thank you very much!
…sign up for quality…
http://www.qualityfoundation.org
http://www.inwent.org
Prof. Dr. Ulf-Daniel Ehlers
University of Augsburg, Germany
Vicepresident European Foundation for Quality in E-Learning