Verification and Validation of Digital Resources

Verification and validation of digital resources are critical in determining the quality and utility of educational tools. As parts of the process of creating new digital resources or as methods for evaluation and selection of existing resources, effective verification and validation focus efforts and document results toward appropriate use of carefully vetted tools. The Institute of Electronic and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) Standard Glossary of Software Engineering Terminology defines verification as a process to evaluate a system (or system components) to determine whether it satisfies the conditions imposed at the start of the development phase. In other words, does the system or component meet the stipulated specifications of the original design or specifications set at the previous phase(s) of a process? Validation is defined as a process to evaluate whether a system or system component satisfies requirements at the end of the entire development process. Does the final product or process achieve the intended ends? Simply put, verification is aimed at determining whether a product was created according to plan, and validation determines whether the product serves the function(s) for which it is intended. Outside the educational context, the phrase “verification and validation of digital resources” can lead a researcher to a very technical perspective, addressing specific processes and techniques for use with digital hardware and software systems. A more holistic approach to digital resources in education is more useful.

Digital resources have become an integral element of education at all levels. They are the building blocks of much of current educational activity—in online courses, in the classroom, or in hybrid environments. The wealth of available resources can be overwhelming, and selecting and evaluating resources appropriate for each situation can be a daunting task. This breadth of variation makes it nearly impossible to prescribe the correct approach to the verification and validation of digital resources. Many factors affect the quality and utility of a resource; this entry outlines valuable approaches, techniques, and perspectives that can be helpful in judging quality and utility.