Validation and recognition learning outcomes achieved abroad using ECVET Karin Luomi-Messerer – 3s Daniela Ulicna – GHK ECVET Pilot Projects 7th Seminar Vienna, February 2011

Aims of ECVET used for mobility  to support recognition of learning outcomes achieved abroad without extending learners’ education and training pathways  to make recognised mobility an integrated part of individuals’ learning pathways

Learning Agreement: knowledge, skills, competence to be acquired Home institutionHosting institution Learning period abroad – acquisition of knowledge, skills, competence Assessment of acquired knowledge, skills, competence by the hosting institution Documentation of acquired knowledge, skills, competence by the hosting institution in the learner‘s personal transcript Validation of knowledge, skills, competence acquired and assessed abroad Recognition of knowledge, skills, competence acquired and assessed abroad ECVET used for mobility Transfer process based on a Memorandum of Understanding

Prerequisites for validation and recognition  Trust: credibility of training experiences abroad by clearly specifying expected learning outcomes and identifying and documenting what the learner has achieved  based on:  Agreements: MoU, LA (expected learning outcomes)  Assessment: QA, transparent procedures, criteria, levels…  Good documentation of the learning outcomes achieved and the assessment results (evidence) – Personal Transcript

Validation – ECVET Recommendation  Validation of learning outcomes means the process of confirming that certain assessed learning outcomes achieved by a learner correspond to specific outcomes which may be required for a unit or a qualification.

Validation – in practice (1)  After completion of the international training period, the learners` Personal Transcript prepared by the hosting institution (after assessment) is sent to the home institution.  The home institution compares the learning outcomes documented in the learners` Personal Transcript with those agreed upon in the LA (expected learning outcomes) and (if applicable) checks whether all requirements (specified in the LA) have been met (e.g. assessment procedures).

Validation – in practice (2)  If everything is correct and the expected learning outcomes are met at the required level, the assessment of knowledge, skills and competence acquired abroad will be validated:  It will be confirmed that the assessed learning outcomes achieved by the person in training during the stay abroad correspond to specific learning outcomes that are required for the specific training programme / unit / qualification.

Recognition – ECVET Recommendation  Recognition of learning outcomes means the process of attesting officially achieved learning outcomes through the awarding of units or qualifications

Recognition – in practice  Following the validation process, learners receive an official confirmation of the fact that they have achieved the given learning outcomes, unit or qualification from their home institution: - they receive an official document or certificate or - the unit or learning outcomes are recorded in their official transcript of record.  Credit points will be awarded – depending on national regulations.

Recognition – in practice (2)  Depending on the unit and the duration of the stay abroad, it might be possible that not all learning outcomes of a unit were achieved.  In this case, the certificate etc. for a unit will only be awarded after the achievement of the full unit.

Recognition – in practice (3)  In some systems, there is no need for a formal recognition of learning outcomes achieved abroad – for example, systems that not use units of learning outcomes, that use holistic assessments at the end of a training programme:  Learning period abroad is validated and recognised as part of the training programme