Job Discussion Forums

[simon44]

I hope this post is sufficiently-related to teaching for the mods to allow it to remain.

I enjoy studying short, online CPD courses that enhance my knowledge of specific topics in the education sector, (for example managing ADHD students).

I have identified a 'gap' in the subject matter of these online, CPD courses for teachers/education professionals, and I would like to offer a range of such certificate courses via my own website. (These would not be degree-level or TEFL courses, but specific-topic/subject CPD courses).

The perceived value of a course like this depends not only on how the individual who takes the course values the information/knowledge that they gain, but also the perception from the wider, teaching community about the 'credibility' of these courses.

And that is where I have a problem. I would like an independent, accreditation body to evaluate my courses and (hopefully) confirm that they are genuine courses that may benefit a teacher in the advancement of their career/job prospects etc.

However, as we maybe all know, there is no single accreditation organization within the ESL/teaching sector, and I'm at a loss as to which accreditation organization to approach.

One major problem is that many of the accreditation organisations are country-specific. One must have a 'bricks and mortar' office/school, whilst my courses will be offered internationally via an online presence only.

I have already been contacted by several so-called, accreditation organisations, but a quick Google search reveals these organisations have zero credibility in the teaching sector.

The bottom line: Should I simply promote my non-accredited courses and let the content of the course justify their credibility etc? Or can someone more knowledgable than me suggest a credible accreditation organization for 100% online CPD courses?

[nomad soul]

I suggest your first task, if you haven't done so already, is to create a comprehensive, written proposal, complete with a purpose, needs assessment, demographic profile of the target audience (learners/participants), national/state/provencial standards the course would address, course prerequisite(s), course objectives, learning outcomes and competencies, course assessment(s), instructional matierials, mode of instruction, etc. (Creating the proposal can be difficult if you don't have a background in curriculum and/or instructional design.)

You should then approach those same organizations or institutions that offer similar types of courses and inquire about having your course assessed and eventually, accredited by one local or regional, reputable entity that reviews courses like yours. Anyway, CPD courses that are accredited by one, very credible entity will appeal to those interested in attending solely for the fact that the courses are soundly accredited but more importantly, fit the attendees' needs.

[simon44]

[quote[]
accredited by one local or regional, reputable entity that reviews courses like yours
[/quote]

Herein lies the problem. I have not found any reputable, accreditation organization for 100% online, 'cyberspace' courses. The organisations that I've located all require the provider of these courses to have an office that can be visited, a bricks and mortar street address, a line-up of staff etc.

My offering would be purely an online, CPD course business, with course content provided by qualified, freelance educators.

Creating the business plan/proposal; is fine for me, (I have established several successful businesses over the past 30 years). But the more I investigate the accreditation process, the more I find 'scam' accreditation organisations which are quite happy to evaluate my courses for a fee, or strictly-local, but reputable organisations whose remit does not include accreditation of online, cyberspace course providers.

[adaruby]

[nomad soul]

Then perhaps you need to take a different approach by seeking out bricks-n-mortar institutions or organizations that would be interested in having you teach your courses online through their CPD department. Once you build a reputation, then you might consider going it alone and setting up and staffing your own physical office and then offering your courses online. By the way, a course proposal deals with curriculum and instruction; it isn't the same as a business plan/proposal.

[rtm]