RPL in Europe: creating a European RPL Network Frances Morton and Ruth Whittaker The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education. Registered charity numbers and SC037786

This presentation: Background to European RPL Network Bologna Process and Leuven Comminuque International Bologna Seminar Feb 2010 and the associated Scottish collaboration with Ireland and the Netherlands Proposal for a European network and the benefits for HE inScotland The first meeting and next steps

Background to European RPL network QAA Scotland/Universities Scotland HEI RPL network - SCQF RPL network Learning from European practice Leuven -Louvain-la-Neuve-Communiqué International Bologna seminar on RPL: sharing European processes and practices Collaboration with Ireland and the Netherlands Report and recommendations First meeting of European network 5 Nov 2010

Leuven - Louvain-la-Neuve Communiqué Identified key areas for RPL work to continue as part of the Bologna Process: Lifelong learning, widening participation and access Flexible learning paths Engaging employers and workforce development Processes and procedures – designing RPL programmes and innovative ways of developing RPL Student experiences of RPL across Bologna Building assessment capacity and capability

European collaboration Scotland -Development of national guidelines for RPL -QAAS/USS RPL network -CRLL -RPL Toolkit for SSSC Ireland - National principles and guidelines (2005) -Follow up actions to OECD work in Ireland (2008) -Education in Employment/Strategic Innovation Netherlands -Project Directorate for Learning and Working -National knowledge centre for RPL -Leido seminar on RPL (2008)

International Bologna Seminar February 2010 Over 70 delegates from 28 Bologna countries Workshops and plenary sessions PL.asp

International Bologna Seminar Outcomes and Recommendations General Approaches not uniform, but generic tools exist skills, employability and equality/widening participation agendas The national context Balance Learning outcomes and national qualifications frameworks Lifelong learning, widening participation, wider access RPL can break down barriers and expand horizons of learners and institutions alike Flexible learning paths RPL is a useful tool in helping to develop more flexible and varied learning paths, as evidenced by several projects presented at the seminar.

Outcomes & Recommendations (contd.) Student experiences of RPL across Bologna countries RPL in EHEA Engaging students Building assessment capacity and capability for RPL Concentrate on success stories

Outcomes & Recommendations (contd.) Engagement with employers and workforce development Efficiency and effectiveness Dialogue with stakeholders RPL processes and procedures – designing RPL programmes and innovative developments Transparency and consistency Streamlining approaches Quality Assurance

Creating a European RPL Network Scottish Government, QAA Scotland and Bologna Secretariat Proposed benefits for Scotland - Access to expertise - Learning from practice and success - Co-ordinated approach across Bologna

The Proposal for ERPL network To link with other countries developing RPL To allow educators, practitioners and policy-makers working in RPL to share practice and inform progress To share and explore ways in which RPL can best support student- centred learning, flexible learning paths, lifelong learning, and widening participation agendas across the Bologna process To share and explore ways in which RPL can help support issues such as employer engagement and workforce development in Bologna To establish and build upon an evidence base of RPL practice from across Bologna countries, and consider how cross-border RPL might be fostered To consider the conclusions and recommendations from the 2010 RPL seminar and how these might best be taken forward. To liaise with other relevant networks and working groups, in particular the BFUG Working Groups on Recognition and National Qualifications.

Benefits of European collaboration Supporting Scottish University RPL developments : access wider expertise and support streamlining of support and assessment Share practice, access knowledge and expertise and resources across EHEA Developing European RPL Research Agenda: to develop evidence base Informing a programme of action/typology on the basis of good practice across a range of different countries

First meeting of the ERPL network Glasgow, 5 November 2010 Delegates from across Bologna countries (Scotland, England, Ireland, Poland, Latvia, Belgium, The Netherlands Eurashe, European Commission

Actions and next steps for ERPL Network QAA Scotland to lead on coordinating the network for the first year Small coordinating group to be established to assist in coordination Website will form the basis of a virtual network

Further information ERPL Network details.aspx?wkgroupId=17