Higher education institutions as places to integrate individual lifelong learning strategies

Transcription

1 Higher education institutions as places to integrate individual lifelong learning strategies Andrzej Krasniewski Warsaw University of Technology Bologna Expert QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORKS AS INSTRUMENTS OF PUBLIC POLICY FOR LIFELONG LEARNING Warsaw, November 8-9, 2012

2 Issues addressed What does it mean HEI as a place to integrate individual LLL strategies? What are the major problems and challenges associated with such an integration? Why is the task of integrating individual LLL strategies so important for Polish HEIs?

3 HEI as an integrator of LLL strategies concept presented in Higher Education Strategy (December 2009) academic community project coordinated by: Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools in Poland Conference of Rectors of Vocational HEIs in Poland Polish Rectors Foundation

4 HEI as an integrator of LLL (LWL) strategies one of the measures proposed to accomplish the strategic objective of making the HE system more suitable to the changing needs of the society HEIs should serve as integrators of LWL, i.e. provide for flexible education paths (leading to different qualifications) through recognition of non-formal and informal learning, followed by offering an individualised study programme leading to a qualification informing, advising and tutoring students and potential students (especially, non-traditional students) on LLL opportunities

5 HEI as an integrator of LLL strategies terminology EUROPEAN COMMISSION COM(2012) 485 final, Proposal for a COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION on the validation of non-formal and informal learning Validation is a process of confirmation by an authorised body that an individual has acquired learning outcomes measured against a relevant standard. It consists of four distinct phases: 1. identification through dialogue of particular experiences of an individual, 2. documentation to make visible individual's experiences, 3. a formal assessment of these experiences, 4. recognition leading to a certification, for example a partial or full qualification

6 HEI as an integrator of LLL strategies HEI offer for a potential LLL learner identification of qualifications and competences + support in documentation of competences (portfolio etc.) defining learning objectives (support in planning professional career, personal development,...) design of an individual LLL strategy, incl. formal assessment and recognition of competences of a candidate studying at HEI implementation of the individual LLL strategy assessment and recognition of competences achieved through non-formal and informal learning studying at HEI non-traditional tasks

7 Problems and challenges Polish perspective insufficient understanding of needs and benefits no legal framework (is it necessary?) little experience shortage of qualified staff (especially, for advising, tutoring,...) uncertainty about quality

8 Threat demographic trend 120 Why is this so important? Expected demographic changes within the population aged over the p period = 100 Polish perspective Chile New Zealand Sweden Norway United States United Kingdom Australia Denmark Luxembourg Netherlands Switzerland Canada Mexico Germany Austria Iceland Belgium Turkey Finland France Korea Italy Source: OECD, Education at a Glance Russian Federation Ireland Slovak republic Hungary Poland Czech Republic Portugal Japan Greece Spain quickly diminishing number of traditional students

9 Polish perspective Opportunities Why is this so important? quickly growing number of HEI diploma holders Percentage of people aged with HE diploma UE 27 source: Eurostat, LFS (A. Chłon-Dominczak, 2012) Poland

10 Opportunities Why is this so important? Polish perspective quickly growing number of HEI diploma holders high demand for LLL from well educated people HE diploma holders total population source: Bilans Kapitału Ludzkiego, 2011 (A. Chłon-Dominczak, 2012)

11 Opportunities Why is this so important? Polish perspective quickly growing number of HEI diploma holders high demand for LLL from well educated people growing number of potential non-traditional students LLL learners (incl. former graduates) To take advantage of these opportunities HEIs should extend their traditional educational offer and become places to integrate individual LLL strategies

12 The conference is being organised together by the Educational Research Institute and the Foundation for the Development of the Education System. The Educational Research Institute is implementing a systemic project entitled The development of terms of reference for the implementation of the National Qualifications Framework and the National Qualifications Register for lifelong learning. The team of Bologna Experts working under the Foundation for the Development of the Education System is a group supporting the implementation of qualifications frameworks for Polish higher education as part of the Lifelong Learning Project.