ECTS in the Bologna process and ECTSDS labels

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ECTS in the Bologna process and ECTS/DS labels

• Raimonda Markeviciene, Istanbul, 06.06.2005

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Bologna action lines

• Bologna declaration (1999)
• Adoption of a system of easily readable and
  comparable degrees
• Adoption of a system based on two cycles
• Establishment of a system of credits
• Promotion of mobility
• Promotion of European cooperation in quality
  assurance
• Promotion of the European dimension in HE
• Prague Communiqué (2001)
• LLL
• HEI and students
• Promotion of the attractiveness of the EHEA
• Berlin Communiqué (2003)
• EHEA and ERA two pillars of the knowledge based
  society

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Bologna process why ECTS?
EQF Helsinki Recommendations Dublin
descriptors NQF
QA Curricula design LOstudent workload
Recognition LOstudent workload Comparability of
cycles (I, II, III) Periods of study Joint
degrees
ECTS for accumulation and transfer
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ECTS from transfer to accumulation

• Credit was
• Relative value allocated to each course unit by
  the institution to reflect its workload as a
  proportion to the total workload of the academic
  year.

• Credit became a building block
• Absolute value.
• 1 credit 25-30 hours of student workload
  (1500-1800)
• Credit remained
• Relative value Conventionally 60 credits measure
  the workload of a full-time student during one
  academic year (30 per semester)

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ECTS two parameters

• WORKLOAD (ECTS Credits)
• LEARNING OUTCOMES (Competences)
• The European Credit Transfer and Accumulation
  System (ECTS) is a student-centred system based
  on student workload required to achieve the
  objectives of a programme of study. These
  objectives should preferably be specified in
  terms of learning outcomes and competences to be
  acquired.

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Learning outcomes and Workload their relationship

• Learning outcomes Statements of what a learner
  is expected to know, understand and/or be able to
  demonstrate after completion of learning. They
  can refer to a single course unit or module or
  else to a period of studies, for example, a first
  or a second cycle programme. Learning outcomes
  specify the minimum requirements for award of
  credit.
• Workload The estimated time required to complete
  the activities foreseen for each course unit /
  module. Workload includes all learning
  activities, i.e. lectures, practical work,
  information retrieval, private study, placements,
  fieldwork, preparation of examinations, etc.
• Learning outcomes defined for a unit / programme
  should match the available workload required by a
  typical student.

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ECTS credit is based on

• Student learning time rather than teaching hours
• Desired learning outcomes, and not teachers
  inputs
• Output approach knowledgeunderstandingabilitie
  s

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Tuning

• Over 130 European universities from 27
  countries to develop
• Common concepts
• Common reference points
• Common procedures and methodology for curriculum
  design
• Two cycles
• Departmental level

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Tuning approach to credit allocation

• The need what competences need to be developed
• The necessary steps
• Module allocate credits on the basis of the
  desired LO and the estimated workload to reach
  them.
• Planning and determining student workload
  educational activities, time to carry them,
  assessment, etc.
• Checking of calculated workload through
  evaluations student questionnaires real time
  involved.
• Adjustment of workload and/or education
  activities or sometimes even LO.

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ECTS in the future political will and
development

• Prague Communiqué
• the adoption of common cornerstones of
  qualifications, supported by a credits system
  such as ECTS or one that is ECTS compatible
• Berlin Communiqué
• (ministers) note that ECTS is increasingly
  becoming a generalized basis for the national
  credit systems. They encourage that the ECTS
  becomes not only transfer but also an
  accumulation system to be applied consistently
  

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ECTS in the future what is next? Levels?

• Two models on the table
• ECTS National Counsellors Working group
• Tuning approach

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Levels - ECTS Counsellors proposal

• First cycle qualifications (180-240 ECTS credits)
  four levels
• Levels 1 and 2 sub-first cycle levels
• Levels 3 and 4 first cycle levels
• Second cycle qualifications (90-120 ECTS credits)
  two levels 5 and 6.
• Third cycle qualifications (minimum 270 ECTS
  credits) two levels
• Level 7- high level advanced course work and
  research training
• Level 8 thesis

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Levels and types Tuning approach

• Course levels
• Basic (introduction)
• Intermediate (deepen basic knowledge)
• Advanced (strengthening of expertise)
• Specialized (for expertise in a special field)
• Course types
• Core
• Related (supporting the core)
• Minor (optional or subsidiary)
• 5-I-R (5 credits-intermediate-related)

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ECTS/DS (Diploma Supplement) LABELS

• Questions for ourselves
• Are HEI prepared to think global and perceive
  international tendencies and demands?
• Do HEI need visibility in the process of
  globalization? Should it be created by
  politicians or HEI themselves?

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ECTS label - requirements

• Information Package and Course Catalogue(IP/CC)
  for ALL I and II degree cycles in local language
  and English (accessible through the Web page)
• Correct use of credits (student workload based)
• Recognition of study period abroad
• Correct use of other ECTS tools (Learning
  agreement, Transcript of Records)
• Valid for 3 years

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IP/CC old idea for the new initiative

• Features
• Information for all students local and
  international
• Renewed every year
• Easily accessible through the web page
• Announced well in advance before the studies
• Local and English languages
• Answer the requirements of Checklist in ECTS
  Users Guide

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ECTS label what is it?

• Assessment of introduced changes
• Quality in information on degree programmes
• Internationalization of information of the degree
  programmes
• Confirmation of symbiosis of two stages at the
  institution transfer and accumulation
• Higher stage in institutions development (from
  mobilitis vulgaris to LLL)

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ECTS label evaluation most common mistakes

• IP/CC
• Missed information items according the checklist
• Information not in two languages
• No course structure diagram with credits (60 per
  year)
• Web page difficult to navigate
• Documents (LA and ToR)
• Not all documents included in student files
• No credits indicated in LA
• No explanation on grading in the HEI
• Missing stamps and signature Dates do not mach
  study periods
• Requirement of 30/60 credits per period not
  respected

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ECTS label evaluation most common mistakes

• Recognition
• Not clear how credits and grades are recognized
• Recognition papers without signatures and stamps
• Not clear what period(courses) at home
  institution are replaced by period abroad
• ECTS implementation
• Credits allocated on the basis of contact hours
  or no information on credit allocation
• No information on recognition procedure
• Missing information on LO (?!)

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DS label - requirements

• The DS should be issued for all students
• Automatically
• Free of charge
• In two languages (local and widely used foreign)
• Answer the requirements of Checklist in ECTS
  Users Guide
• Valid for 3 years

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DS what is it?

• Quality in the presentation of information on
  qualification gained
• Confirmation on DS adequacy to the European
  standards
• Guarantee to graduates that their institutions
  provides quality information on the qualification
  obtained

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DS evaluation most common mistakes

• Original DS are sent
• Missing signatures
• Application requirement for 2 different cycles
  and 2 different programmes in each cycle not
  fulfilled
• Changed preamble
• Not clear what credits are used
• No grade distribution
• No proofs that DS is issued automatically for all
  students and free of charge

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ECTS/DS selection (2003,2004)

• 2003
• ECTS 91 application 11 labels (ELITELLL)
• DS 85 applications 28 labels
• 2004
• ECTS 55 applications 3 labels
• DS 72 applications 30 labels
• Is drop in application numbers a bad thing?

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ECTS and DS two initiatives one goal

• ECTS 1989-1995 pilot phase
• DS September 1997- June 1998 pilot phase
• Used together and correctly guarantee
  transparency and foster recognition
• ECTS credit in DS provides transparency and allow
  easy evaluation
• The same database guaranteeing detailed programme
  information after many years
• Shows institution as a transparent and reliable
  partner in the EHEA

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Good luck with your label applications!!!andtha
nk you for your attention!