Making Learning Visible

Citation

(2001), "Making Learning Visible", Industrial and Commercial Training, Vol. 33 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/ict.2001.03733dab.002

Making Learning Visible

Making Learning VisibleKeywords: Learning, Workplace learning, Europe

Making Learning Visible, published by Cedefop (European Centre for Development of Vocational Training), presents an overview and analysis of European efforts to introduce methodologies and systems for the identification, assessment and recognition of non-formal learning.

The presentation is based on 14 national reports commissioned by Cedefop during the period 1997-1999, which, with the exception of Luxembourg, cover all the Member States of the EU. In addition, a substantial amount of information has been gathered from other sources, including the EU Commission and various programmes supported by the EU. A draft version of the report was presented to an international conference on the topic arranged by Cedefop in co-operation with the Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research in May 2000. The feedback received during this event, where representatives of 18 European countries were present, has been integrated into the final version of the report.

The report should be read as one of several possible interpretations of developments in this area. The aim has been to draw attention to main trends as well as to point to the most crucial challenges facing actors in this highly innovatory and still unsettled field.

The report is organised according to three main questions:

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  Which challenges are involved when trying to "capture" and "measure" the competences acquired outside formal education and training institutions?

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  Have these challenges been understood and met by the initiatives taken at national and EU level?

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  Which requirements have to be met by future developments and how can this be supported through strengthened co-operation and mutual learning?

The issue of identification, assessment and recognition of non-formal learning has, in particular during the last five years, been brought to the forefront of European debates on education, training and learning. This attention may partly be explained through the following factors:

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  There is a need to make the existing education and training systems more flexible and to open them up for competences acquired through work experience and elsewhere.

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  Recognition of non-formal learning is a prerequisite for setting up systems for lifelong learning. Such recognition would make it possible for individuals to build on learning from different areas – education, work, leisure time, etc.

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  Identification, assessment and recognition of non-formal learning are ways to improve the quality of learning processes in enterprises and organisations.

The report's objective is to stimulate the debate on how methodologies and systems for identification, assessment and recognition of non-formal learning can contribute to the development of the above issues.

Since the subject is a new one and in a relatively "unsettled" area, there is an urgent need for clarification of terminology. Accordingly, a glossary on concepts and terms related to the issue of identification, assessment and recognition of non-formal learning is presented in an annex.

The report (Making Learning Visible: Identification, Assessment and Recognition of Non-formal Learning in Europe, Reference document 3013, Catalogue No. TI-32-00-871-EN-C) has been published in English and will shortly also be available in French and German from the EU sales offices.

Further information from Cedefop. E-mail: info@cedefop.eu.int Homepage: www.cedefop.eu.int Interactive Web site: www.trainingvillage.gr