What kinds of courseware are included in the scope?

In a pre-pilot trial (carried out in September 2011) to test the initial quality grid, the scope of courseware examined was as wide as possible and included traditional Web Based Training, blended learning, mobile learning, game based learning, learning videos and open educational resources. Afterwards, the review teams gathered to share insights and came to the conclusion that the epprobate review process could be applied to all these types of courseware. The focus of the review is on the perspective of the eLearning courseware user rather than on specific types of courseware. 

What is the review process like?

The first step in the review process is that the courseware producer (the applicant) provides a self assessment of the courseware in terms of the epprobate quality grid. The courseware and the self assessment document are then considered by a review team consisting of four reviewers: Pedagogical expert (who is also head of the review team), domain expert, peer reviewer (i.e. another eLearning courseware producer) and a representative of the target group (who will usually be suggested by the applicant).

The reviewers rate the courseware on a four point scale for each criterion (exceeds, meets, partially meets, fails to meet the criterion), and produce a written rationale for their decision. Not all criteria are relevant to all kinds of courseware and so the relevance and importance of each specific criterion is judged for each piece of courseware. The review team meet to reach a consensus view, and then invite the applicant to a meeting to answer any specific questions arising from the review. The report of the review team is then forwarded to the international awarding body, which consists of an international group of head reviewers together with the national partners, who make the final decision on the award of the epprobate label. The courseware provider receives detailed feedback three times during this process: after the meeting of the review team, during the subsequent meeting of the applicant with the review team, and after the meeting of the international awarding body.

Each year the epprobate group will examine the courseware awarded the epprobate label during the previous year and make an epprobate Award for the best courseware products worldwide.

What are the benefits of becoming a reviewer?

Reviewers will be paid for the reviews they carry out, but perhaps the greatest benefit will be the opportunity to participate in an international community of eLearning quality experts. Before carrying out their first review reviewers will be expected to undergo a short training course in order to accustom themselves to the epprobate training process and the use of the epprobate quality grid.

If you want to apply to become a reviewer, please use the Reviewer application form.

What are the benefits of becoming a certified expert?

Only certified experts can work for epprobate as head reviewers, trainers or consultants. The training and assessment activities are usually conducted online. Certifications are issued by the accredited national partners.

What are the benefits of becoming an accredited national partner?

A national partner receives access to the epprobate core documents and tools of for translation, as well as marketing materials.

Where the national partner attracts interest in the epprobate label in their country, then the national partner will receive a share in the revenue generated by that activity. In addition, income through reviewing, training or consulting activities can be generated. The national partner is audited regularly by the epprobate team.

If you want to apply for becoming a national partner, please send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  .