ECTS credit allocation the basis and the example
ECTS credit allocation the basis and the example of University of Bialystok prof. Małgorzata Dajnowicz Katarzyna Szorc Ph. D Łukasz Wołyniec MA
Workshop agenda A. Theoretical background of ECTS (definitions, terminology) B. The basis for ECTS credits allocation C. Methods of allocating ECTS credits D. Practical example of allocation of ECTS credits syllabuses used at the University of Bialystok (History, Pedagogy, Sociology) 2
A. Theoretical background of ECTS (definitions, terminology) 3
Theoretical background of ECTS (definitions, terminology) ECTS is a learner-centred system for credit accumulation and transfer based on the transparency of learning outcomes and learning processes. It aims to facilitate planning, delivery, evaluation, recognition and validation of qualifications and units of learning as well as student mobility. 4
B. The basis of ECTS credits allocation 5
The basis of ECTS credits allocation ECTS credits are based on the workload students need in order to achieve expected learning outcomes. Learning outcomes describe what a learner is expected to know, understand be able to do after successful completion of a process of learning. Workload indicates the time students typically need to complete all learning activities (such as lectures, seminars, projects, practical work, self-study and examinations) required to achieve the expected learning outcomes. 6
The basis of ECTS credits allocation 60 ECTS credits - workload of a full time year of formal learning (academic year) 1, 500 - 1, 800 hours for an academic year - student workload ranges One credit - 25 to 30 hours of work 7
The basis of ECTS credits allocation The first two Bologna cycles are associated with the following ECTS credit ranges: First cycle qualifications 180 -240 ECTS credits Second cycle qualifications: 90 -120 ECTS credits (minimum of 60 ECTS credits at the level of the 2 nd cycle) 8
ECTS credits allocation Credits are allocated to entire qualifications or study programmes as well as to their educational components (modules, course components, dissertation work, work placements and laboratory work). 9
ECTS credits allocation Credit allocation is the process of assigning a number of credits to programmes or to educational components. ECTS credits are allocated on the basis of the typical workload necessary to achieve the required learning outcomes. 10
ECTS credits allocation (bachelor’s degree) Fulltime academic years (3 years) - 180 ECTS credits 1 academic year – 60 ECTS credits 1 semester 30 ECTS credits 11
The workload estimation Prior to estimating the workload associated with a programme or an educational component, the learning outcomes should be defined. These learning outcomes are the basis for choosing suitable learning activities and for a consistent estimation of the workload necessary to complete them. 12
The workload estimation In estimating students’ workload, institutions must consider the total time needed by students in order to achieve the desired learning outcomes. 13
The workload estimation assessment procedure the contact hours obligatory placement(s) the time spent in individual or group work 14
The workload estimation Since workload is an estimation of the average time spent by students to achieve the expected learning outcomes, the actual time spent by an individual student may differ from this estimate. Individual students are differ: some progress more quickly, while others progress more slowly. 15
The workload estimation The estimation of workload must not be based on contact hours only (i. e. hours spent by students on activities guided by teaching staff). For example, a seminar and a lecture may require the same number of contact hours, but one may require significantly greater workload than the other because of differing amounts of independent preparation by students. 16
The workload estimation The estimation of workload should be regularly refined through monitoring and student feedback. 17
The workload estimation Monitoring can be managed in different ways. Whatever method is used, student and staff feedback should constitute an essential element for checking and revising credit allocation. Data on completion times and the assessment results of programmes and their components are also part of the monitoring of credit allocation. 18
The workload estimation The allocation of credits to single educational components is performed as part of curriculum design. 19
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Awarding ECTS credits Learners are awarded ECTS credits only when appropriate assessment has shown that they have achieved the required learning outcomes for a component of a programme or for the qualification. 21
Awarding ECTS credits The award of credits certifies that a learner has complied with the requirements of the component. The number of credits awarded to the learner is the same as the number of credits allocated to the component. The full number of credits is always awarded if the student achieves a passing grade; it is never adjusted according to the learner’s level of performance. (eg. if the course has 5 credits allocated, the student may award 0 or 5 credits, not 1, 2, 3, or 4). 22
Awarding ECTS credits do not express how well the learner performed in satisfying the requirements for the award of credit. 23
C. Methods of allocating ECTS credits 24
Methods of allocating ECTS credits Inside Outside 25
Methods of allocating ECTS credits 1 st method – ’from the teaching staff’ (inside) The teaching staff define the learning outcomes of each programme component, describe the learning activities and estimate the workload typically needed for a student to complete these activities. Proposals are collected, analysed and synthesised and the estimated workload is expressed in credits. By using this option, institutions allow for maximum freedom in designing each component with regard to the learning outcomes and related workload. On the other hand, components of different sizes may be problematic when it comes to multidisciplinary or joint programmes or mobility. 26
Methods of allocating ECTS credits 2 nd method – ’from the institution’ (outside) The faculty may decide from the start to standardise the size of educational components, giving each one the same credit value (e. g. 5) or multiples of it (e. g. 5, 10, 15), and thus predefine the number of credits to be allocated per component. The course units are often called ‘modules’. Within this predefined structure, the teaching staff define appropriate and feasible learning outcomes and describe the learning activities, on the basis of the standard size of the components. By standardising the size of components, institutions allow for more flexible, multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary pathways among programmes. 27
Methods of allocating ECTS credits The main element determining the number of credits is the estimated workload needed to achieve the expected learning outcomes. The number of contact hours alone must not be used as a basis to allocate credits, since contact hours are only one element of students’ workload. 28
D. Practical example of allocation of ECTS credits - syllabuses used at the University of Bialystok (History, Pedagogy, Sociology) 29
University of Bialystok – legal basis of ECTS credits allocation Resolution of the Senate of the University of Bialystok (No. 2015, 22 February 2017). Key features: Based on the learning outcomes, the faculties create curricula (study programmes) that describe the learning process, the expected learning outcomes for the field of study, the level and profile of education. The curriculum allows the student to select modules of courses (including taught in foreign languages), which are awarded not less than 30 ECTS credits necessary for qualifications corresponding to the level of education. At least half of the full-time study program must be conducted in the form requiring the direct involvement of teachers and students. 30
University of Bialystok – legal basis of ECTS credits allocation The number of ECTS credits required for a qualifications is not less than: First cycle studies Second cycle studies Unified master degree studies 180 ECTS 120 ECTS 300 ECTS 31
Description of the procedure applicable in the University of Bialystok faculties 1. ECTS credits are assigned to particular modules and courses (a module may contain a few courses). One ECTS credit corresponds to 25 - 30 hours of student workload and is related to the achievement of learning outcomes. 32
Description of the procedure applicable in the University of Bialystok faculties 2. Contact hours (lecture, …) Independent work (preparing for classes, …) The number of hours worked by the student 33
Description of the procedure applicable in the University of Bialystok faculties 3. ECTS credits are awarded for completing each module / course provided in the curriculum. 34
Description of the procedure applicable in the University of Bialystok faculties 4. The student obtains ECTS credits assigned to the module / subject if he/she meets all the requirements specified in the curriculum and achieves the learning outcomes set for that module / course. 35
Description of the procedure applicable in the University of Bialystok faculties 5. The number of ECTS credits provided by the curriculum for each semester is not less than 30. 36
Description of the procedure applicable in the University of Bialystok faculties 6. The student can to study abroad within the framework of international agreements and educational programs implemented in University of Bialystok. The study programme at another university is set individually by the exchange maintainer and approved by the dean. 37
Allocation of ECTS credits to curriculum and courses in practice 1. Revision of the current curriculum (study plan). Elements: the current and planned workload of the course the amount of material to be learned (including the literaturę, etc. ) the current and planned number of hours (generally 120 hours give more ECTS credits than 15 hours) the current and planned forms of assessment and examination (written exam, oral exams, essays, projects - the laboriousness of the course, to complete which the test is required, is different than laboriousness of the course requiring preparation of a semester project preceded by own research and study of source material) learning outcomes for the courses- the time required to achieve them. 38
Allocation of ECTS credits to curriculum and courses in practice 2. Consultations with teachers on the current workload of the courses. 39
Allocation of ECTS credits to curriculum and courses in practice 3. Development of a preliminary curriculum (study plan), taking into account the need to obtain min. 30 ECTS credits during the semester and 180/120 ECTS for the whole cycle, as well considering the existing limits of the didactic hours number enrolled for a particular field of study. 40
Allocation of ECTS credits to curriculum and courses in practice 4. Final allocation of credits to courses, location of them in the curriculum (program of study). 41
Allocation of ECTS credits to curriculum and courses in practice 5. Transferring a new study plan to teachers who prepare syllabuses, taking into account the allocated ECTS credits and matching the student's workload according to ECTS 1 = 25 - 20 hours of student work. 42
Allocation of ECTS credits to curriculum and courses in practice It is worthwhile to address the homogeneous conversion of number of hours into credits: 1 ECTS credit corresponds to 27 hours of workload (or any number in the range of 25 – 30). 43
Example of the sylabus used in Unisversity of Bialystok Przedmiot / course : Dobór próby / Sampling in sociological research Informacje ogólne / General information Nazwa jednostki Faculty Nazwa kierunku studiów Field of study Poziom kształcenia Level of study Profil studiów Profile of study Forma studiów Form of study Kod przedmiotu USOS code of the course Język przedmiotu Language of the course Rodzaj przedmiotu i moduł Type of the course & educational module Dziedzina i dyscyplina nauki Field and discipline of science Wydział Historyczno-Socjologiczny / Faculty of History and Sociology Socjologia / Sociology Studia pierwszego stopnia / First-cycle degree programme (Bachelor’s) Ogólnoakademicki / General Stacjonarne / Full-time studies 0500 -SS 1 -2 DPR Polski, angielski / Polish, English Obowiązkowy, MK_3 Metodologiczno-logiczny / Obligatory, MK_3 Methodology and logic Nauki społeczne, socjologia / Social sciences, Sociology, 44
Rok studiów/semestr Year & semester Wymagania wstępne (tzw. sekwencyjny system zajęć i egzaminów) Prerequisites Liczba godzin zajęć dydaktycznych z podziałem na formy The number of hours of classes divided into forms of teaching Założenia i cele przedmiotu Objectives of the course Metody dydaktyczne oraz ogólna forma zaliczenia przedmiotu Didactic methods and the general form of assesment / examination Rok II, semestr IV, 2 nd year, 4 rd semester Statystyka, metody statystyczne w socjologii, metody ilościowe / Statistics, Statistical methods in Sociology, Quantitative methods in Sociology 30 godzin laboratorium / 30 h laboratory Celem przedmiotu jest przedstawienie podstawowych zagadnień związanych z doborem próby w badaniach społecznych, omówienie teorii i praktyki doboru losowego i nielosowego, zastosowanie narzędzi informatycznych w doborze próby, omówienie problemów związanych z doborem próby. The aim of the course is to present elementary issues connected with sampling in sociological research. The other goal is to present theory and practice of probability sampling and nonprobability sampling, as well as the usage of computer techniques in sampling and also the introduction of common problems that may occur in sampling. Metody dydaktyczne: laboratorium, warsztaty, praca indywidualna i w grupie, prace domowe Zaliczenie na ocenę: część teoretyczna, część praktyczna (wykonanie zadań), prace domowe Didactic methods: laboratory, workshops individual and group work, homework, consultations, Form of examination: theoretical part – test, practical part – practical exercises, homework 45
Efekty kształcenia / learning Odniesienie do kierunkowych efektów kształcenia Reference to learning outcomes of field of study outcomes (The student…) W 1. Posiada wiedzę na temat metod doboru próby w badaniach społecznych, rozumie ich specyfikę i stosowalność W 2. Rozumie znaczenie prawidłowego doboru próby w postępowaniu badawczym, rozumie pojęcie reprezentatywności Knowledge … Has knowledge of methods of sampling in sociological research S 1_W 23 S 1_W 25 … Understands the importance of proper preparation of sample in research projects. Understands the concept of representativeness U 1. Potrafi prawidłowo dobrać próbę w zależności od problemu badawczego U 2. Prawidłowo rozstrzyga dylematy związane z doborem próby w badaniach społecznych Skills S 1_U 16 … Is able to prepare the sample depending on the research problem S 1_U 11 K 1. Ma świadomość problemów etycznych wynikających z prowadzenia badań społecznych i zastosowania różnych metod doboru próby … Is conscious of ethical problems connected with conducting social research and using various methods of sampling Attitudes / social comepeneces … Properly resolves the dilemmas associated with sampling in social research S 1_K 06 46
Punkty ECTS / ECTS credits Bilans nakładu pracy studenta Student’s workload 3 81 h, including: Participation in classes: 30 h Participation in consultations: 4 h Preparation for classes: 15 h Conducting practical exercises: 17 h Preparation for the exam: 15 h Nakład pracy studenta związany z zajęciami: Student’s workload: Wskaźniki ilościowe Quantitative indicators wymagającymi bezpośredniego udziału nauczyciela requiring direct teacher involvement o charakterze praktycznym hours of practical work Liczba godzin hours ECTS credits 34 1, 26 47 1, 74 47
Practical exercise - prepare the sylabus for your course Fill in given form Define learning outcomes Estimate student’s workload Allocate ECTS credits 48
Thank you for your attention! 49
- Slides: 49