Flexibility through Learning Outcomes: Implications for Quality Elpida Keravnou-Papailiou Chairperson KYSATS University of Cyprus EQAF 2008

EQAF 2008 /2 Presentation Outline Flexibility in learning Flexibility in learning –Incremental development Is a convergence between traditional and non-traditional learning pathways possible? Is a convergence between traditional and non-traditional learning pathways possible? –Common learning outcomes –Agreed quality standards Learning and associated effort Learning and associated effort Conclusions Conclusions

Flexibility in Learning (for higher level qualifications) tentative definition A state of affairs whereby learners can move horizontally or vertically, within and across diverse forms and hence learning pathways (formal, non-formal, informal) transferring and accumulating learning achievements (across or within the different learning routes) where diverse spatio-temporal frames are permitted and the formal accreditation/certification of the learning achievements is possible.

EQAF 2008 /4 Is the proposition of full flexibility in learning a viable one? This would depend critically on whether This would depend critically on whether –The same or at least comparable learning outcomes could be potentially achievable through diverse learning pathways –The potential means for assessing such learning outcomes could credibly assure quality

EQAF 2008 /5 open and distance learning credits discrete cycles LEARNING OUTCOMES NQF flexibility in learning VETHE Incremental development of learning flexibility

EQAF 2008 /6 Is a convergence possible? Formal Learning Well established and understood HEIs have major/exclusive role Transfer/accumulation of credits well defined Well established criteria & procedures for recognition of qualifications (LRC) ESG for QA Point of reference for higher level qualifications Non-formal/Informal Learning Early stage (Bologna Stocktaking 2007) Other actors apart from HEIs No standards for the transfer/accumulation of credits No European quality standards Role of Qualifications Frameworks? FL IL NFL quality standards

EQAF 2008 /7 Quality Standards Minimum requirements regarding Specification of actual learning outcomes for particular qualifications (cycles/disciplines) Specification of actual learning outcomes for particular qualifications (cycles/disciplines) Criteria and procedures for the validation and certification of the achieved learning Criteria and procedures for the validation and certification of the achieved learning Criteria and procedures for assessing the assessors Criteria and procedures for assessing the assessors

EQAF 2008 /8 Quality in Learning grounded on following premises Actual learning outcomes may be specified Actual learning outcomes may be specified –Independently of learning settings and curricula, and –Everyone understands the same thing about them The means for assessing the learning outcomes are valid and fit for purpose, and the assessors and credible and competent for this task The means for assessing the learning outcomes are valid and fit for purpose, and the assessors and credible and competent for this task

EQAF 2008 /9 Learning Outcomes for higher level qualifications Cannot be confined to practical skills and competencies Cannot be confined to practical skills and competencies Domain knowledge figures as a major component Domain knowledge figures as a major component Learning outcomes (level descriptors) in qualifications frameworks are abstract statements, open to widely different interpretations Learning outcomes (level descriptors) in qualifications frameworks are abstract statements, open to widely different interpretations

EQAF 2008 /10 Example Scenario: acquiring a PhD degree in an informal learning setting The person (a “researcher”) is carrying out self-directed research at workplace The person (a “researcher”) is carrying out self-directed research at workplace S/he publishes results in scientific journals S/he publishes results in scientific journals An authority that has the right to award PhD degrees assesses the learning outcomes (research results) and awards this person a PhD degree An authority that has the right to award PhD degrees assesses the learning outcomes (research results) and awards this person a PhD degree

EQAF 2008 /11 In the example scenario the traditional quality standards for PhD degrees are adhered to, namely Contribution to knowledge Contribution to knowledge –The publications demonstrate this Publishability of research results Publishability of research results –Not just “publishable”, they have been published Potential to do independent research Potential to do independent research –Has been doing so all along

Thus in the example scenario quality has not been adversely affected What about, though, the more basic Bologna cycles, the Bachelor and Masters degrees

EQAF 2008 /13 Questions arising Could the learning experiences from following a formal Bachelor/Masters programme be ever comparable to the learning experiences accruing from an informal work-based context, albeit of many years duration? Could the learning experiences from following a formal Bachelor/Masters programme be ever comparable to the learning experiences accruing from an informal work-based context, albeit of many years duration?

EQAF 2008 /14 Questions arising Could such comparisons be unfair? But is it fair to grant the same recognition to substantially different learning achievements underpinned by different quality standards? Could such comparisons be unfair? But is it fair to grant the same recognition to substantially different learning achievements underpinned by different quality standards?

EQAF 2008 /15 Questions arising Should it be acknowledged that within the same level/cycle there could be distinct types of qualifications based on the learning setting, e.g. academic, professional or vocational Bachelor or Masters degrees? Should it be acknowledged that within the same level/cycle there could be distinct types of qualifications based on the learning setting, e.g. academic, professional or vocational Bachelor or Masters degrees?

EQAF 2008 /16 Qualifications Frameworks Bologna Stocktaking 2007: Bologna Stocktaking 2007: –Observation: the procedures for the recognition of prior learning are at an early stage of development in the majority of countries –Recommendation: link recognition of prior learning with the development of NQFs and with systems of credit transfer and accumulation

EQAF 2008 /17 Qualifications Frameworks Dec 2007 issue of European Journal of Education Dec 2007 issue of European Journal of Education –the concept of a QF is critically analyzed in an evidence-based manner –the ability of QFs to promote and accredit informal learning is questioned –few countries have fully fledged NQFs these have evolved over a long period and are still evolving these have evolved over a long period and are still evolving

NQFs are not a panacea and a solution to everything In parallel with the development of NQFs, flexibility in learning should be grounded on agreed European quality standards for learning settings outside the formal setting

EQAF 2008 /19 Learning and associated effort Learning is measured Learning is measured –Qualitatively through its (learning) outcomes –Quantitatively through the effort leading to the outcomes “effort” translates into credits of some kind “effort” translates into credits of some kind ECTS couples outcomes with credits (learner workload) ECTS couples outcomes with credits (learner workload) But there is also ECVET But there is also ECVET

EQAF 2008 /20 Learning and associated effort Developments call for different time- frames to learning Developments call for different time- frames to learning However the notion of “learning effort” cannot be abolished However the notion of “learning effort” cannot be abolished –should be defined in a way applicable to different learning settings Flexibility in learning should not come to mean that it would be easier to acquire some qualification through non traditional learning pathways Flexibility in learning should not come to mean that it would be easier to acquire some qualification through non traditional learning pathways –if anything the effort outside the formal setting for a comparable learning achievement should be higher –cf the example scenario with the PhD degree

EQAF 2008 /21 Conclusions Flexible learning is an acknowledged necessity for a knowledge society Flexible learning is an acknowledged necessity for a knowledge society –HEIs should have a significant role in flexible learning –cf June 2008 supplement of EUA Bologna Handbook There is an urgent need to agree on European standards for quality, outside the formal learning setting There is an urgent need to agree on European standards for quality, outside the formal learning setting –Specification and validation of learning outcomes –Quality assurance of assessors –Formal setting should continue to be the reference point for higher level qualifications

EQAF 2008 /22 Discussion Question 1 Can non-formal/informal learning achieve the same or at least adequately comparable learning outcomes as those obtained through programmes of formal study at the three Bologna cycles? Can non-formal/informal learning achieve the same or at least adequately comparable learning outcomes as those obtained through programmes of formal study at the three Bologna cycles?

EQAF 2008 /23 Discussion Question 2 Can qualifications built on, or incorporating non-formal/informal learning have the same or comparable value as those achieved through formal programmes of study? Would it be advisable to introduce a typology of 1st, 2nd and 3rd cycle qualifications based on the learning pathway followed? Can qualifications built on, or incorporating non-formal/informal learning have the same or comparable value as those achieved through formal programmes of study? Would it be advisable to introduce a typology of 1st, 2nd and 3rd cycle qualifications based on the learning pathway followed?

EQAF 2008 /24 Discussion Question 3 How can the European standards and guidelines for quality assurance be extended to include quality standards for non-formal/informal learning? How can the European standards and guidelines for quality assurance be extended to include quality standards for non-formal/informal learning?