Quality Assurance and ECTS Tempus project Mostar September

Quality Assurance and ECTS Tempus project, Mostar, September 2007 Nathalie Depoorter

Table of Content l l ECTS : the history Quality Assurance and ECTS l l l Tuning Educational Structures in Europe Study workload ECTS users’ guide ECTS label/ Diploma Supplement label ECTS: the future September 2007 Nathalie Depoorter

ECTS: the history from 1989 till now l Problems universities faced during internationalisation before ECTS: § § § l l l Lack of information about the available courses Lack of academic compatibility Lack of trust among the institutions in academic respect ° 1989 as pilot scheme within Erasmus programme Aim: to facilitate recognition of study period abroad through transfer of credits Pilot projects successful → ECTS-system adopted by other disciplines, universities, … September 2007 Nathalie Depoorter

ECTS: the history from 1989 till now l Bologna Declaration (1999): Introduction of a system of readable and comparable degrees l l l Signatory states have identified ECTS as one of the cornerstones of the EHEA Large # countries: adopted ECTS by law as accummulation system (or are in the process) Some countries: ECTS = requirement for accreditation September 2007 Nathalie Depoorter

ECTS: the history from 1989 till now l New Developments since Bologna l l l From input to output Focus on learning outcomes From knowledge to competences From teacher- to student-oriented approach Extension to accumulation September 2007 Nathalie Depoorter

ECTS: the advantages for European Education l l l Study programmes: easy to read and compare Can be used for all types of programmes (LLL, modules. . ) Mobile and non-mobile students benefit → used for accumulation within institution → used for transfer between institutions l ECTS covers self-study and work experience (competences) “European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System” September 2007 Nathalie Depoorter

Quality Assurance and ECTS: l ECTS is an integral part of Quality Assurance in education l Quality Assurance elements linked to ECTS l l September 2007 TUNING model Study workload evaluation ECTS Users’ guide ECTS-label/Diploma Supplement-label Nathalie Depoorter

Tuning model l a project by and for HEI’s The answer of the institutions to Bologna & Lisbon declaration/Luxemburg process Motto: Tuning of educational structures and programmes on the basis of diversity and autonomy http: //tuning. unideusto. org/tuningeu/ September 2007 Nathalie Depoorter

Tuning: objectives l l l Implement the Bologna-Prague-Bergen process on university level Implement three cycle system (Ba-Ma-Ph. D) Identify common reference points from discipline and university perspective Develop professional profiles and comparable and compatible learning outcomes Facilitate employability and LLL by promoting transparency in educational structures (easily readable and comparable degrees) l Develop a common language for all stakeholders September 2007 Nathalie Depoorter

Tuning methodology l l To understand curricula and make them comparable Five lines of approach: l l l Generic (general academic) competences Subject-specific competences The role of ECTS as an accumulation system Approaches to learning, teaching, and assessment The role of quality enhancement in the educational process September 2007 Nathalie Depoorter

Tuning line 1: generic competences l Questionnaires to graduates, employers, academics l Distinction between ‘importance’ and ‘achievement’ of learning outcomes l Distinction between general, academic and subjectrelated competences The importance of 30 generic competences and an evaluation of how well HE institutions develop them. September 2007 Nathalie Depoorter

Tuning line 2: subject specific competences l Agreement on discipline related competencies l Agreement about relation between learning outcomes and content Mapping of subject areas and development of common reference points and subject specific competences of each of the pilot disciplines. September 2007 Nathalie Depoorter

Tuning line 3: ECTS as accumulation system l Importance of credits for comparison and combination of study tracks l One system (ECTS) is preferable l Linked to Learning Outcomes September 2007 Nathalie Depoorter

Tuning line 3: ECTS as accumulation system l Learning Outcomes l l Expressed in competences Formulated by academic staff On the basis of input of internal and external stakeholders Competences l l Dynamic combination of knowledge, understanding, skills and abilities Obtained by the student September 2007 Nathalie Depoorter

Tuning line 3: ECTS as accumulation system September 2007 Nathalie Depoorter

Tuning line 3: ECTS as accumulation system l Relation between credits and QA l l l Recognition if credit related to level and learning outcomes Description of complexity, creativity and profundity Credit related to academic standards Established (international) system of QA Transparancy September 2007 Nathalie Depoorter

Tuning line 4: Approaches to learning, teaching and assessment l Teaching, learning and evaluation is task for HEI l Attention for transfer of general skills and competences l Focus on competences = attention to l l New methods of teaching New criteria for evaluation September 2007 Nathalie Depoorter

Tuning line 5: quality enhancement in the educational process l l Constant effort to improve quality of programme design, implementation and delivery Responsibility of staff, with contribution of stakeholders and students One of the elements to ensure quality enhancement: Measuring student workload (as part of ECTS) September 2007 Nathalie Depoorter

Student workload: essential element of ECTS l l l 1 ECTS = 25 -30 hours study time 60 ECTS = one academic year 1500 -1800 hours a year Important to check with reality. Ghent University: two methods l Prospective method: difficult approach l Retrospective method: minimal approach September 2007 Nathalie Depoorter

Student workload: essential element of ECTS l Prospective method: l l l All students Each group is representative (male/female) Every group is registrating in the same time during 4 weeks in the academic year l l l September 2007 2 ‘normal’ weeks of classes 1 week in the study period before the exams 1 week in exam period Nathalie Depoorter

Student workload: essential element of ECTS l Form with a timetable and the following information l l l Planned activity? (college, study, workshop, …) Who? (alone, together with friend, . . . ) Place? (home, dorm, library, …) Study materials? (book, hand-outs, …) Study activity? (reading, learning, writing …) Discipline? (course) September 2007 Nathalie Depoorter

Student workload: essential element of ECTS l Prospective method: advantages l l l Stronger design High student participation: 60 -65% Short time to registrate the information and data Difficult to manipulate A lot of information given September 2007 Nathalie Depoorter

Student workload: essential element of ECTS l Prospective method: disadvantages l l September 2007 Complex procedure Too much information and data A lot of procedures to evaluate it High development costs (labour-intensive) Nathalie Depoorter

Student workload: essential element of ECTS l Retrospective method l l After a semester of a year For every course the following information: l l l September 2007 Participation in the planned activities Preparation time for the planned activities Tasks Studying during the semester Preparation of exams Other study activities Nathalie Depoorter

Student workload: essential element of ECTS l Retrospective method: advantages l l Easy procedure Little information and data Fast analysis is possible Low cost September 2007 Nathalie Depoorter

Student workload: essential element of ECTS l Retrospective method: disadvantages l l l Student participation < 50% Frequently: forms filled in incorrectly ‘subjective’ reaction of students Different memories Other factors such as mood of the day, … September 2007 Nathalie Depoorter

Diploma Supplement: link with ECTS l Diploma Supplement l l l September 2007 Supplement to an official diploma certifying the award of a degree/qualification Format agreed upon by Co. E, Unesco and EC and endorsed by Bologna signatory countries Covers an entire degree programme (1 st, 2 nd and evt. 3 rd cycle): sum of all To. R Transparency tool linked to ECTS Facilitate swift and informed recognition decisions Also for non-mobile studens (QA) Nathalie Depoorter

Key features: ECTS Users’ guide Information package: l l Information on the institution Information on degree programmes l l l General description Description of individual course units General information for students September 2007 Nathalie Depoorter

Users’ guide: Information on the institution (part 1) l l l l Name and address Academic calendar Academic authorities General description of the institution (including type and status) List of degree programmes offered Admission/registration procedures Main university regulations (notably recognition procedures) ECTS institutional co-ordinator September 2007 Nathalie Depoorter

Users’ guide: information on degree programmes (part 2) GENERAL DESCRIPTION l Qualification awarded l Admission requirements l Educational and professional goals l Access to further studies l Course structure diagram with credits (60 per year) l Final examination, if any l Examination and assessment regulations l ECTS departmental co-ordinator September 2007 Nathalie Depoorter

Users’ guide: information on degree programmes (part 2) DESCRIPTION OF INDIVIDUAL COURSE UNITS l l l l Course title , course code Type of course, level of course Year of study Semester/trimester Number of credits Name of lecturer Objectives of the course (preferably expressed in terms of learning outcomes and competences) Prerequisites Course contents Recommended reading Teaching methods Assessment methods Language of instruction September 2007 Nathalie Depoorter

Users’ guide: general information for students (part 3) l l l l Cost of living Accommodation Meals Medical facilities Facilities for special needs students Insurance Financial support for students September 2007 Nathalie Depoorter

Users’ guide: general information for students (part 3) l l l l l Student affairs office Study facilities International programmes Practical information for mobile students Language courses Internships Sports facilities Extra-mural and leisure activities Student associations September 2007 Nathalie Depoorter

ECTS-label/DS-label ECTS-label l Introduced for HEI using ECTS in a correct way in all their degree programmes l Last round: only 21 ECTS labels awarded (Ghent Universitity one of them) l New round to be expected March 2008 DS-label l Correct way of using the Diploma Supplement September 2007 Nathalie Depoorter

ECTS: the Future l l Will be used after 2010: future-oriented concept! Continuous update of ECTS is required to be successful Working towards the European Higher Education Area with more institutions: success-story Glad to be a part of it! Thank you for your attention September 2007 Nathalie Depoorter