Lesson 14

Karin Porter

Why accreditation? The purpose is to ensure to the public that the organization is offering quality education and meets the created standards.

Who oversees it?

The U.S. has 6 educational accrediting associations. The six regions include Northern New England, Middle States, North Central, Southern, Western and Northwest.

What type of supporting evidence is needed?

The institution must show that all aspects of the institution clearly relate to the purpose of the institution. The institution must be able to show that they have successful student achievement and a quality program. The faculty must be competent, as well as the ability to offer a library. Finally the institution must have appropriate computer resources, physical facilities and instructional materials.

What differences, if any, exist between accreditation of regular instructional programs and distance learning programs?

There is not much difference between the accreditation for the regular instructional programs and distance learning programs. Like all educational institutions, distance learning programs must show the quality of its programs. Although, the institution must show that the distance learning programs are comparable to those of an on-campus program. In addition, library resources must be available to support the courses they are offering.

What role are the new information technologies and educational communications playing in counteracting and changing the strongest criticism of distance education?

Distance education has been known to only provide one-way communication. Although, through email, chat rooms, synchronous and asynchronous types of communication, this has quickly changed to two-way communication. All of these type of interactive communications all students and the instructor can communicate more effectively and participate in a highly effective learning environment.