Leargas Forum 11 December 2014 THEMATIC SEMINARS THE USE OF LEARNING OUTCOMES IN ECVET 2014, Further Education Support Service, Leargas Forum 11 December 2014 1
THEMATIC SEMINARS THE USE OF LEARNING OUTCOMES IN ECVET Barcelona, 13, 14 February 2014 Capturing various scopes of VET qualifications in terms of LO in the ECVET context Bucharest, 23, 24 September 2014 Learning outcomes and the labour market perspective Brussels, 16, 17 December 2014 Using ECVET principles for assessing learning outcomes 2014, Further Education Support Service, Leargas Forum 11 December 2014 2
ECVET Principles 1. clear descriptions of learning outcomes in terms of knowledge, skills and competences 2. the validation and recognition of all types of learning outcomes 3. the transfer of credit, based on learning outcomes, from one setting to another 4. the opportunity to accumulate learning outcomes 2014, Further Education Support Service, Leargas Forum 11 December 2014 3
Workshop 1; Capturing various scopes of VET qualifications in terms of LO in the ECVET context Elements captured by VET qualifications? Job related and professional knowledge and skills Elements not captured by VET qualifications? Core skills may be expressed but not assessed or measured. Generic Skills. Social Skills. Specific needs of single companies. Elements which require discussion Entrepreneurial attitudes. Professional standards. Performance outputs. Translate behaviors to criteria, and subsequently group into LOs? 2014, Further Education Support Service, Leargas Forum 11 December 2014 4
Workshop 1; Capturing various scopes of VET qualifications in terms of LO in the ECVET context Limits of LO in the ECVET context: VET qualifications described in units of LO for a functional ECVET system? Disparity between occupational standards / NFQ levels, (very relevant in DE, 2 instruments, curriculum for schools and regulations for companies) Translate from occupational standards to LOs DE / FR learners / occupations may have a spiky profile. In Ireland all subjects in VET qualification will be at the same level (or +/1 one level for limited credit value) Need national and European communications / information support around qualifications and LOs for the different target groups. (Including work with Europass to ensure coherence of approaches) Need for additional information for the assessment process. LO approach and KSC approach is adequate for the qualification but not adequate to make ECVET fully operational 2014, Further Education Support Service, Leargas Forum 11 December 2014 5
Workshop 1; Capturing various scopes of VET qualifications in terms of LO in the ECVET context Key messages Must have trust in national QA systems Must have trust in national regulations Importance of assessment, leading to certification German model as an example LOs impact on the quality of assessment, and the coherence of the assessment process Reputation of the provider can influence the validity of the qualification 2014, Further Education Support Service, Leargas Forum 11 December 2014 6
Workshop 2; Learning outcomes and the labour market perspective Designing qualifications to meet the needs of the labour market 3 case studies on implementation of ECVET in industry; RO,FR,DE Employability a common objective of all VET systems. Academic areas, personal development and social inclusion should also be addressed, not always covered by LOs Necessary to strengthen use of LOs. Link LOs directly to assessment. How qualifications based on ECVET principles could help to meet the needs of the labour market. Common language required Collaboration with industry on design of qualifications Progression should be evident Validation of non-formal and informal learning is important 2014, Further Education Support Service, Leargas Forum 11 December 2014 7
Workshop 2; Learning outcomes and the labour market perspective How units of LOs benefit the labour market Describe qualifications clearly Facilitate progression of staff (defined HR strategy) Basis for understanding / changing elements of jobs Flexibility around professional mobility (units can be broader than the needs of one company) Areas identified for (further) discussion; Use of common language between education and industry Small units are not beneficial to companies, bigger units for meaningful placements Permeability between VET and Higher Education cited as a requirement Rolling Assessment necessary Suggested pan-eu steering committee for implementation of ECVET 2014, Further Education Support Service, Leargas Forum 11 December 2014 8
Workshop 2; Learning outcomes and the labour market perspective Strengthening employers involvement in training/ Reasons why employers are not currently involved Lack of awareness; requires better dissemination in regions Strategies required to work with stakeholders, Chambers and regional authorities Education Work; Development of User s Guide for Workplace Trainers suggested as a strategy Cost; Process should be cost- neutral for companies. Financing of expensive assessment processes? Difficult economic conditions in certain countries at present Governance issues Frame discussions with the ECVET principles to make processes more understandable 2014, Further Education Support Service, Leargas Forum 11 December 2014 9
Workshop 3; (December 2014) Using ECVET principles for assessing learning outcomes Topic 1 - The assessment of LOs from an ECVET perspective Topic 2 - Quality assurance approaches to assessment with ECVET How quality assurance can support the implementation of a consistent approach to assessment from an ECVET perspective? Using the results of assessment for the transfer and recognition of achievement in an ECVET context How are assessed LOs transferred and recognised in different systems? How to use the ECVET tools to support transfer and recognition? What is the impact on the assessment of transferring and recognising achievement? How can we ensure the best use of the ECVET tools for transfer and recognition? 2014, Further Education Support Service, Leargas Forum 11 December 2014 10
Thank you Siobhan Magee cavan@fess.ie www.fess.ie 2014, Further Education Support Service, Leargas Forum 11 December 2014 11