Benchmarking E-learning - ACODE

ACODE

ACODE is the eponymously named benchmarking scheme under development by the Australasian Council on Open, Distance and E-Learning, whose web site is at http://www.acode.edu.au/.

Development of this started in 2004 as a pilot project. There is a project page with a useful history and several key documents. The scheme is now available in draft form while it awaits final external peer review.

It is a criterion-based system where criteria (divided into eight main benchmark areas) are scored on a 1-5 scale with the help of scoring statements. It takes a relatively wide view of e-learning, ensuring linkage with general learning and teaching, with IT and with staff development processes. The use of the word "alignment" in several criterion scoring statements suggests that it has been affected by the MIT90s approach described elsewhere in this article.

Other information

• There are ACODE press releases of 18–19 May 2006 and 16–17 November 2005.
• A potential ACODE scheme is mentioned in a presentation by Paul Bacsich in November 2005 at the University of Sydney, significant because Bacsich is a benchmarking analyst also cited in one of the ACODE press releases.
• An ACODE statement of January 2006 notes that in "December 2005: Dr Stephen Marshall (Victoria University of Wellington) surveyed members on how well supported students are with regard to IT support and access to helpdesk". Analysis of his institutional affiliation and email address makes it clear that this is the Dr Stephen Marshall the author of the e-Learning Maturity Model methodology for benchmarking e-learning.