1. HERODOT International Conference: Torun, Poland 2-5 September 2005 1 Tuning and European Higher Education Geography Kevin Crawford & Karl Donert Liverpool Hope University Liverpool, UK

2. HERODOT International Conference: Torun, Poland 2-5 September 2005 2 The TUNING Project The Tuning Educational Structures in Europe project addresses several of the Bologna action lines. The project is undertaken by universities, for universities. It is the Universities response to the challenge of the Bologna Declaration. The project motto is Tuning of educational structures and programmes on the basis of diversity and autonomy

3. HERODOT International Conference: Torun, Poland 2-5 September 2005 3 Tuning Objectives To implement the Bologna - Prague - Berlin process at a university level To find ways to implement two cycles To identify common reference points from discipline and university perspectives To develop professional profiles and comparable and compatible learning outcomes

4. HERODOT International Conference: Torun, Poland 2-5 September 2005 4 Tuning Objectives To facilitate employability by promoting transparency in educational structures (easily readable and comparable degrees) To develop a common language which is understood by all stakeholders (higher education sector, employers, professional bodies)

5. HERODOT International Conference: Torun, Poland 2-5 September 2005 5 Tuning Aims The project aims at identifying points of reference for generic (general academic) and subject-specific competences. Competences are described as points of reference for curriculum design and evaluation (allowing flexibility). They provide a common language for describing what curricula are aiming at.

6. HERODOT International Conference: Torun, Poland 2-5 September 2005 6 Tuning Methodology In order achieve the aims of the project, a methodology was designed to understand curricula and make them comparable. Of the five lines of approach chosen only the two were undertaken by Geography: Line 1: Generic competences Line 2: Subject specific competences (knowledge, understanding and skills)

7. HERODOT International Conference: Torun, Poland 2-5 September 2005 7 Tuning Methodology The survey involved consultation with graduates, employers and academics on the importance of generic and subject-specific competences and an evaluation of how well HE institutions develop them. This was undertaken in order to develop academic and professional profiles for a degree programme and to identify the learning outcomes expressed in generic and subject-specific competences.

8. HERODOT International Conference: Torun, Poland 2-5 September 2005 8 Geography and Tuning The HERODOT Thematic Network has been responsible for undertaking the survey for Tuning Higher Education Geography across Europe. The purpose of this presentation is to outline the approach taken during the Tuning survey of HE Geography in Europe and to present some of the initial findings. This will be followed up by publication of the full survey results.

9. HERODOT International Conference: Torun, Poland 2-5 September 2005 9 Geography Tuning The Geography Tuning survey adopted the approach undertaken by Phase I (2000- 2002) of the previous Tuning project surveys though with some minor modifications. The methodology was piloted in a small number of countries before the full survey was undertaken.

10. HERODOT International Conference: Torun, Poland 2-5 September 2005 10 Geography Tuning Methodology Pilot Survey Seven pre- and post-2004 EU member states undertook a pilot survey during 2003-2004. The purpose of the pilot study was to see if the existing Tuning methodology was entirely appropriate to meet the requirements of the Geography survey.

11. HERODOT International Conference: Torun, Poland 2-5 September 2005 11 Geography Tuning Methodology Full Survey Following the pilot study some minor changes were made to the Tuning questionnaires and method of data collection. A further eight countries agreed to participate in the full survey during 2004-5. The results from 10 countries have received (to date) with the rest expected by the end of 2005.

12. HERODOT International Conference: Torun, Poland 2-5 September 2005 12 Geography Tuning Methodology Questionnaires were sent to graduates, employers and academics. All three respondent groups were asked to assess the generic (general academic) competences in terms of their importance and the level to which they are developed by a University degree (bachelors). Respondents were also asked to rank the five most important generic competences (in their opinion).

13. HERODOT International Conference: Torun, Poland 2-5 September 2005 13 Geography Tuning Methodology For the subject-specific competences, a different approach was adopted. Employers were not asked to assess the subject- specific competences. Graduates were asked to assess the importance of subject-specific competences for undergraduate study only. Academics were asked to assess the importance of subject-specific competences for both undergraduate and postgraduate study.

14. HERODOT International Conference: Torun, Poland 2-5 September 2005 14 Geography Tuning Results At present a total of over 600 completed questionnaires have been received. Over 360 graduates, 180 academics and over 80 employers took part in the survey across 10 countries. Once all the results have been received from the other participating countries the total could reach 1000 completed questionnaires!

15. HERODOT International Conference: Torun, Poland 2-5 September 2005 15 Geography Tuning Results The results reflect the opinions from a variety of EU members – countries with large and small populations, eastern and western Europe, old and new EU member states etc.