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European University Quality in eLearning
The European University Quality in eLearning (UNIQUe) was selected in 2006, and funded from 1 October 2006 until 30 September 2008 by the European Commission - DG Education & Culture under the Socrates, Higher Education Reform programme.
The UNIQUe web site is at http://unique.europace.org/ or at http://unique.qualityfoundation.org
Summary
UNIQUe aimed to enhance the reform process of European higher education institutions by creating, testing and launching an eLearning quality label for ICT-use in higher education. In this way UNIQUe wished to improve higher education eLearning processes and management.Compared to other quality initiatives in the area of technology-enhanced learning, UNIQUe has a broader institutional approach and is not only related to e-learning. The UNIQUe quality label builds on the broadest stakeholder involvement.
The UNIQUe process is structured in six very distinct stages and offers a formalised approach in each of the steps. The UNIQUe quality label provides an accreditation as a result, next to continuous quality improvement mechanisms. The UNIQUe quality label focuses on innovation. UNIQUe ensures continuous quality improvement since it is a diagnostic tool for self-assessment of the institution.
The UNIQUe Label has been built by combining the Peer Review methodology, developed in MASSIVE and the programme accreditation for teChnology-Enhanced Learning (EFMD CEL) developed by the European Foundation for Management Development.
Outcomes
The main outcome of UNIQUe is the UNIQUe Quality Mark, that is awarded to Higher Education bodies for outstanding work in the use of ICT with regards to learning resources, learning processes and learning contexts.
UNIQUe documents publicly available on the UNIQUe project website include:
- UNIQUe information package, providing a short overview of the UNIQUe Accreditation process: methodology and the steps to be followed in order to complete successfully the accreditation process
- UNIQUe application data form, which must be completed properly to begin the UNIQUe eligibility check. This information allows the verification of whether or not a University is eligible for UNIQUe accreditation.
- UNIQUe self assessment and peer review guide for university, which supports the University to successfully complete the Self-Assessment process as well as the peer review visits.
Partners
- MENON Network EEIG - Belgium
- EuroPACE ivzw - Belgium
- EFQUEL - European Foundation for Quality in E-learning - Belgium
- EFMD - European Foundation for Management Development a.i.s.b.l. - Belgium
Status
The UNIQUe project, system and criteria have lead to the UNIQUE quality label and certification for quality use of ICT in higher education. Currently, UNIQUe is part of the EFQUEL quality services, a range of self-assessment and external review services offered to e-Learning and TEL providers.