This week's reading on Open eQuality Learning Standards (ODL) was interesting in its attempts to address what Perkins (2011) identified as the "abuses perpetrated by diploma mills" (p. 11). I wonder how successful these standards have been in addressing these concerns. I googled 'degrees online' and came up with this website http://www.cvu-uvc.ca/english.html and it lists well-known, reputable institutions such as Athabasca University. Next I clicked on http://www.speedydegrees.com/ which by its name calls into question its credibility. The website states:
"Life Experience Degree suits individuals who possess basic to expert level exposure and experience in a specific field but lack educational documents to prove themselves. This makes individuals stay
back and struggle for jobs and promotions. Through Life Experience Degrees, individuals can now get recognition for their skills and talents from an Accredited University in just 7 days."
So who regulates companies like speedydegrees.com and why are they able to offer degrees for $299? Is this legal? Who are these "accredited universities" the website claims to have ties to? How would the ODL tackle an organization like this? How do these types of degrees devalue the degrees and diplomas legitimate institutions provide?
Another thing I am unclear of is how these standards become actualized. I visited http://www.eife-l.org/publications/standards to get a sense of what ODL is about and how their standards are recognized and publicized, but I could not get a clear picture of this. So for example, if I am considering Athabasca for my eLearning program, how am I assured that they adhere to ODL standards? On Athabasca's website http://www2.athabascau.ca/aboutau/accreditation.php they do not list Eifel among their memberships. Speedylearning is a no brainer, but what if an institution appears reputable?
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