Do accredited digital courses undergo peer review?

Yes, accredited digital courses often undergo peer review as part of the accreditation process. Peer review is a critical component of accreditation, particularly in higher education, where it serves to evaluate the quality, rigor, and effectiveness of educational programs. Accrediting bodies typically rely on peer review to assess whether digital courses meet established standards and criteria for accreditation.

Peer review involves the evaluation of digital courses by qualified experts, typically faculty members, instructional designers, subject matter experts, and other professionals with relevant expertise in the field. These peer reviewers assess various aspects of the digital course, including curriculum design, instructional materials, learning outcomes, assessment methods, technology integration, student support services, and overall educational effectiveness.

The peer review process for accredited digital courses may include the following steps:

1. **Selection of Peer Reviewers:** Accrediting bodies select peer reviewers who have the necessary qualifications, expertise, and experience to evaluate digital courses effectively. Peer reviewers may come from diverse backgrounds and disciplines to ensure comprehensive and objective evaluations.

2. **Documentation Review:** Digital course providers submit documentation, including course syllabi, instructional materials, assessments, student support services, and other relevant information, to accrediting bodies for review by peer reviewers. Peer reviewers examine these materials to assess compliance with accreditation standards and criteria.

3. **Site Visits and Observations:** In some cases, accrediting bodies may conduct site visits or virtual observations of digital courses to assess their delivery, implementation, and effectiveness in practice. Peer reviewers may observe online lectures, review course websites, interact with students and faculty, and evaluate the overall learning environment.

4. **Evaluation and Feedback:** Peer reviewers evaluate digital courses based on predefined criteria and provide feedback, recommendations, and commendations to digital course providers. The feedback may identify strengths, areas for improvement, and opportunities for enhancing the quality and effectiveness of the educational program.

5. **Decision Making:** Accrediting bodies use the findings of peer review to make decisions regarding the accreditation status of digital courses. Based on the results of peer review, accrediting bodies may grant accreditation, impose conditions or requirements for improvement, or deny accreditation if the digital course does not meet accreditation standards.

Overall, peer review plays a vital role in ensuring the quality, integrity, and effectiveness of accredited digital courses. By engaging qualified experts in the evaluation process, accrediting bodies can assess the educational programs rigorously and impartially, uphold accreditation standards, and promote continuous improvement in online education. Peer review helps to validate the credibility and recognition of accredited digital courses, providing assurance to students, employers, and other stakeholders of their quality and value.