Project activities
This space is for project partners and participating HEIs to find important project information and updates.
Project timeline
|
Start |
PLA1* | PLA2* | PLA3* | Confer-ence | Project ends |
| April 2019 | June 2019 | Oct 2019 | Sept 2020 | 16 Mar 2021 | April 2021 |
* PLA = Peer Learning Activity
Activities
Final dissemination conference
Recognition of Prior Learning in Higher Education Conference
When - 16th of March 2021, 9.30 – 14.45 CET
Where - Online
Find out more at the RPL in Higher Education conference page
Previous events
Recognition of Prior Learning in Higher Education
EURASHE and the Swedish Council for Higher Education, together with their partners from the Recognition of Prior Learning in practice (RPLip) project, organised the online event “Recognition of Prior Learning in Higher Education” in October/November 2020.
The online event presented the outcomes of the RPLip project and offered a platform to further develop the discussion around quality assured and consistent processes to recognise non-formal and informal learning throughout Europe.
The event consisted of two webinars.
Webinar 1:
Why validation and recognition of prior informal and non-formal learning
Tuesday 13 October, 14:30-16:00 (CEST), on Zoom
Presentation: Recognition of Prior Learning in Higher Eduation
Presentations: Flexible learning within Higher Education
Watch a recording of the webinar on Youtube
Webinar 2:
How to validate and recognize prior informal and non-formal learning
Thursday 5 November, 14:30-16:00 (CET), on Zoom
Presentation: Recognition of Prior Learning in Higher Education
Presentation: Recognition of Prior Learning in CIT
Presentation: Recognition of Prior Learning in Higher Education –
How to validate?
Watch a recording of the event on Youtube
For project participants:
PLA 1, Stockholm, June 27-28, 2019
During this first PLA the project group presented the current status of RPL in each country. The participants are in different stages of implementing RPL, which makes a good starting point for peer learning. A common agreement on definitions and fundamental documents were agreed upon. The group also started developing a self-evaluation template of institutional RPL-practices based on the four phases of validation in the Cedefop guidelines.
PLA 2, Vienna, October 22-23, 2019
During the second PLA the work with the self-evaluation template of the validation process continued. The HEI project participants that have “tested” the draft template shared their experiences. Some of the crucial point raised: Commitment at all levels of the institution is, clear information in all aspects and counselling/support to the candidate is equally important – the candidate has to understand the process and understand his/her role to balance expectations, Important with well-defined Learning outcomes to validate against, learn from what you’ve done earlier – save and use previous decisions to improve practice, work with staff development, refine and redefine the RPL- process, use different sets of combinations of methods.
PLA 3, September 2-3, 2020
During the third PLA, work with the template continued with special focus on assessment methods and practices. We concluded that the template works as a self-assessment tool and support for discussions on institutional implementation of RPL. However, there is work to be done with translation and adaptation to a national or institutional context.
The project participants also gave updates on national developments. There is much going on:
- In Austria, there are already national guidelines for RPL developed by the Agency for Quality Assurance and Accreditation Austria (AQ Austria) and Higher Education Institutions. Furthermore, AQ Austria has received a new task to provide information and advice on questions regarding RPL provision in all 4 HE sectors.
- In Croatia, draft national guidelines on recognition have been developed and many HEIs have already stated that they will implement ordinances and begin developing procedures.
- In Ireland, amendments to legislation have been made regarding Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) engagement with RPL, mainly through the agency’s responsibility to establish policies and criteria for access, transfer and progression for providers.
- In Sweden, the final report of the National Delegation for Validation was released in the beginning of 2020 with the basic message that there is a need for a national and sustainable strategy for validation.
- In Iceland, the QF has been revisited, among other things, to make sure that it’s fit for purpose to allow for RPL.
Finally, project conclusion was discussed as well as the most important points in order to implement RPL.
Survey on validation, fall 2019
The project conducted a small survey among HEI:s about validation and the use of RPL for access and for credits. The most common challenges in working with RPL mentioned among the HEI:s were challenges concerning the awareness and attitudes among potential candidates, stakeholders and HEI:s. Challenges concerning routines, lack of personal capacity and costs were also mentioned.
