The role of the Accreditation Panelist

Learn about the vital role of accreditation panelists in ensuring quality and ethical standards in online education. Discover how you can contribute to shaping the future of online learning.

Why accreditation panelists matter

Being an Accreditation Panelist is vital in online education because it ensures quality, safeguards learners, and shapes ethical, future-ready standards across a rapidly growing sector.

Impacting quality in online education

An Accreditation Panelist can directly impact the quality of online education by setting rigorous standards, identifying best practices, and holding institutions accountable to ensure students receive safe, effective, and equitable learning experiences.

Key responsibilities explained

Key responsibilities of an Accreditation Panelist include:

  • Reviewing institutional documentation and evidence
  • Evaluating quality of teaching, safeguarding, learner progress, and AI use
  • Participating in panel discussions to reach fair, evidence-based judgments
  • Providing constructive feedback and improvement recommendations
  • Ensuring alignment with GOER’s accreditation standards and ethical principles.

Time Commitment & Flexibility as a GOER Accreditation Panelist

At GOER, we understand that our panelists have diverse schedules and professional commitments — which is why we’ve built flexibility into the role.

  • You choose how much you take on. Panelists are invited to join accreditations based on availability and can accept or decline assignments as needed.

  • Typical time commitment:
    Most accreditations require 3–5 hours of work total (this time may vary slightly depending on the size of the organisation and the amount of panelists involved). In this time you will carryout the following tasks:

    • Reviewing submitted documentation and evidence

    • Attending one or two short (approx. 30-minute) interviews with staff

    • Writing or contributing to a final report based on your findings

  • Process duration:
    The full process spans 1–2 weeks, and you can complete your tasks at times that suit you.

  • Backup and support:
    While we prefer panelists to complete assignments they commit to, if something changes, another trained panelist can step in to finish the process — no pressure, no penalties.

 

This flexible, supportive structure ensures high standards without overburdening anyone — and it’s ideal for experienced educators, leaders, and innovators looking to contribute meaningfully without rigid time demands.

 

Qualities of a strong panelist

A strong Accreditation Panelist typically has:

  • Experience in education (teaching, leadership, curriculum, or quality assurance)
  • Analytical thinking – able to evaluate evidence objectively and fairly
  • Strong ethics and integrity – committed to learner wellbeing and transparency
  • Clear communication – able to give constructive, actionable feedback
  • Understanding of online or hybrid education – including digital tools, pedagogy, or policy
  • Collaborative mindset – works well in a team and respects diverse perspectives

become an accreditation panelist

Shape the future of online education by joining our team of accreditation panelists. Apply now to contribute to quality assurance and ethical standards in the rapidly evolving world of online learning.