Research Reports 2009
No. 38–43 (abstracts)
No. 43/2009: Accreditation of Vocational Learning Outcomes: Perspectives for a European Transfer
Editors:
Roland Tutschner, Wolfgang Wittig, Justin Rami
Abstract:
The fundamental principle that EQF and ECVET have in common is the description of qualifications in terms of learning outcomes. The background for implementing this outcome-based approach in the European education and training systems, however, is quite diverse. This situation is addressed by the CREDIVOC project, which involves partners from Austria, Finland, France, Germany and Ireland and focuses on the identification, testing and transfer of instruments that can be used for the recognition and accreditation of learning outcomes from initial and continuing vocational education and training for further education. The present publication is the major outcome of the first phase of the project, which aimed at the production of a general overview of the accreditation procedures and instruments in the partner countries. To this end, national case studies concerning the accreditation of vocational learning outcomes in Austria, Finland, France, Germany and Ireland have been carried out by the project partners. In order to allow for comparison between the different national approaches a common analytical framework was adopted. The criteria focus especially on the type of recognition (individual vs. blanket recognition) and the methodology of the assessment tools or instruments used. A synthesis report summarises the results of the national case studies and draws some conclusions as to what types of accreditation procedures and instruments might be appropriate for improving the transparency of qualifications and the mobility between educational programmes in Europe.
Research report No. 43/2009 is available in English for download under the following link for online-reference: http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:gbv:46-ep000106868
No. 42/2009: Company-Wiki as a Knowledge Transfer Instrument for Reducing the Shortage of Skilled Workers
Author:
Judith Schulz
Abstract:
The problem of the shortage of skilled workers in the manufacturing sector of the metal and electrical industry is a central topic in many areas in Europe. Different factors and impacts cause the specialist situation, which gradually has manifested itself on the skilled work level. These circumstances are described in detail in a synthesis report as well as in a good-practice report (ITB research reports 36/2008 and 37/2008).
The available report is based on the necessity of SMEs for a knowledge management instrument and demonstrates in a simple way the concept of Company-Wiki as knowledge transfer instrument to secure and pass on specialist and experience-based knowledge.
Research report No. 42/2009 is available in English for download under the following link for online-reference: http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:gbv:46-ep000106112
No. 41/2009: Training Practicioners in Europe: Perspectives on Their Work, Qualification and Continuing Learning
Authors:
Simone Kirpal, Wolfgang Wittig
Abstract:
In the framework of European policies of lifelong learning VET teachers and trainers have become a key target group. Good quality of the services provided by teachers and trainers is regarded as an immediate contribution to fostering the quality, attractiveness and accessibility of opportunities for lifelong learning. However, little is known about the work, qualification and professional development of VET trainers, particularly at the European level. As a response, European bodies increasingly support studies and activities targeted at VET practitioners. The Network to Support Trainers in Europe constitutes one such initiative. One of the network’s activities consists of implementing a European survey with VET practitioners to getting a better understanding of their work practice, competence requirements, professional development and attitudes towards work. This research paper presents the first preliminary findings of this survey. It considers over 700 responses from 28 European countries that were collected between June and October 2008. The results are discussed against outcomes of a survey with multipliers and experts that was conducted in 2007 as part of the EUROTRAINER study. Are the work tasks of VET practitioners and the role they assume in the training process actually changing? And if so, what implications does this have for their skills and competence development? Is the training that trainers provide being evaluated? How do trainers see their opportunities for continuing professional development? These are some of the questions the survey addresses.
Research report No. 41/2009 is available in English for download under the following link for online-reference: http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:gbv:46-ep000106074
No. 40/2009: Neue Einsichten in Lehren, Lernen und Kompetenz
New Insights in Teaching, Learning and Competence
Authors:
Gerald A. Straka, Gerd Macke
Abstract:
The aim of this article is to summarize the authors' work in the field of teaching and learning research and to present a concept of learning and teaching theoretical didactics based on the theory of action. We set out from a general conceptual framework of learning and teaching theory and discuss the approaches of ›learning theoretical‹ didactics (Heimann, Otto & Schulz 1965) and critical-constructivist didactics (Klafki 1980), which still play an important part in German teacher education. It has to be concluded that these two approaches have no foundation in learning and teaching theory and instead address the relationship of learning and teaching only from the teachers' perspectives.
Recurring to prior work in the field of learning and teaching theory by the group around Eigler (1976) we formulate three fundamental questions and a concept of learning and teaching theory which presupposes a multidimensional concept of action, defines information by reference to understanding, and points out that due to the inextricable interaction of action and information any understanding needs communication, which means that interaction and communication are essential prerequisites for learning and teaching. This action theoretical approach also reveals the weak points and inconsistencies of the taxonomy by Anderson and Krathwohl (2001) and of the German translations of ›knowledge‹ in general and ›declarative‹ and ›procedural knowledge‹ in particular as well as their irrelevance for research on vocational competence development. We employ the concept developed here to analyse the models of ›Cognitive Apprenticeship‹ (Collins, Brown & Newman 1989) and ›design of integrated learning environments‹ (Reinmann & Mandl 2006), which currently receive broad attention, and to show that these two concepts do not attain the learning theoretical soundness and consistency of ›meaningful verbal learning‹ (Ausubel 1968) and ›guided discovery learning‹ (Bruner 1966). This result leads to the conclusion that the current shift to Bachelor programmes in teacher education entails the risk that despite the extensive knowledge in learning and teaching theory available today the objective of ›mastering the teaching model‹ is once again replaced with ›modelling the master teacher‹ (Stolurow 1965).
Research Report No. 40/2009 is available in German for download under the following link for online-reference: http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:gbv:46-ep000104179
No. 39/2009: Monitoring VET Systems of Major EU Competitor Countries – the Cases of China, India, Russia and Korea
Authors:
Klaus Ruth, Philipp Grollmann
Abstract:
The study on VET systems of major EU competitor countries is based on the objective of the (revised) Lisbon agenda to become the most competitive region of the world based on a knowledge driven production and social cohesion. Building on experts opinion and literature research this study aims at monitoring VET policies in China, India, Russia and South Korea. With these countries a set of recently evolved top-performers in the global economy is under observation. The study analyses five themes which are assumed to be of outstanding importance for understanding the current performance and the developing potentials of VET systems. The addressed thematic fields are
– background and structure of the education systems,
– current general policies in VET,
– image and attractiveness,
– financing of VET,
– early skills recognition.
The study ends up with a set of conclusions emphasising possible recommendations that might be formulated for European countries and the European Union in order to support their struggle for achieving the Lisbon goals, i.e. achievieng a good position in the global economy, innovation with more and better jobs and social cohesion during the coming decades.
Research Report No. 39/2009 is available in English for download under the following link for online-reference: nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:gbv:46-ep000104148
No. 38/2009: Monitoring VET Systems of Major EU Competitor Countries – the Cases of Australia, Canada, U.S.A. and Japan
Authors:
Klaus Ruth, Philipp Grollmann
Abstract:
The study on VET systems of major EU competitor countries is based on the objective of the (revised) Lisbon agenda to become the most competitive region of the world based on a knowledge driven production and social cohesion. Building on experts opinion and literature research this study aims at monitoring VET policies in Australia, Canada, the U.S. and Japan. The study analyses five themes which are assumed to be of outstanding importance for understanding the current performance and the developing potentials of VET systems. The addressed thematic fields are
– background and structure of the education systems,
– current general policies in VET,
– image and attractiveness,
– financing of VET,
– early skills recognition.
The study ends up with a set of conclusions emphasising possible recommendations that might be formulated for European countries and the European Union in order to support their struggle for achieving the Lisbon goals, i.e. achievieng a good position in the global economy, innovation with more and better jobs and social cohesion during the coming decades.
Research Report No. 38/2009 is available in English for download under the following link for online-reference: http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:gbv:46-ep000104160