30996 - Evaluation of Formal and Non-Formal Learning and Skills Certification

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student: - knows specific concepts related to the assessment of formal, non-formal and informal learning; - knows and understands theoretical and problematic aspects of formal, non-formal and informal learning assessment and competence certification; - knows the procedures and instruments related to the assessment of formal, non-formal and informal learning and to certification of competences; - knows the Italian and European regulations on recognition, validation and certification of non-formal and informal learning and their implications for personal, social and professional development; - is able to understand and interpret the results of evaluation research on the recognition, validation and certification of formal, non-formal and informal learning; - is able to design and implement procedures and instruments for the recognition and evaluation of formal, non-formal and informal learning; - is able to evaluate the quality of support actions for the recognition and validation of non-formal and informal learning; - is able to analyse the competences useful to support self-management of their own professional development paths; - is able to use appropriate tools to monitor and improve their own learning processes; - is able to identify appropriate training tools and pathways for the development of their own cultural and specialist knowledge and professional skills.

Course contents

The course contents focuses on the assessment and certification of learning acquired in formal, non-formal, and informal contexts.

In the first part of the course, the origins and development of educational assessment research will be examined in order to provide an overview of the functions, procedures, and tools of learning assessment. The main topics addressed will therefore include the different functions of assessment (diagnostic, formative, and summative); the procedures aimed at ensuring the validity and reliability of learning assessment; and the various types of instruments used to assess learning outcomes (open-ended, semi-structured, and structured tests).

The second part of the course focuses on the enhancement and recognition of non-formal and informal learning, a key priority in educational policies promoting lifelong and lifewide learning in response to ongoing social and labour-market transformations. The course will therefore examine the instruments and procedures designed to promote the transparency of qualifications and to support the validation and certification of competences acquired across different learning contexts and life experiences. These instruments will be analyzed and discussed in light of recent developments in European and Italian policy and regulatory frameworks.

Readings/Bibliography

The required readings and study materials for the examination are the same for both attending and non-attending students and are listed below:

• Galliani L. (a cura di) (2015). L'agire valutativo. Manuale per docenti e formatori. Brescia: La Scuola [SOLO LE SEGUENTI SEZIONI: tutti i capitoli della Parte prima “Teorie e storia”; i capitoli dal settimo al decimo della Parte seconda “Oggetti”; i capitoli tredicesimo e quattordicesimo della Parte terza “Metodi e strumenti”].
  
• Turrini O. (a cura di) (2022). Individuazione, validazione e certificazione delle competenze. Diritti e scenari futuri. Milano: FrancoAngeli.
• Cedefop (2016). Linee guida europee per la convalida dell'apprendimento non formale e informale. Lussemburgo: Ufficio delle pubblicazioni dell’Unione europea [documento scaricabile al link www.cedefop.europa.eu/files/3073_it.pdf].
• Materials and resources available on the course's Virtuale platform. 

Erasmus students who have included the course in their study plan may agree on a partially modified study programme with the lecturer.

Teaching methods

Teaching methods include lectures, class discussions, group activities, and the analysis of authentic materials.

Assessment methods

The assessment consists of an oral examination based on the required readings and the materials available on the course platform.

Assessment criteria include:

- the accuracy, relevance and completeness of responses;
- the ability to establish connections among course contents and relate them to practical examples;
- the ability to demonstrate critical and independent reasoning;
- the appropriate use of disciplinary terminology;
- the clarity and coherence of presentation.

Students with specific learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the responsible University office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

With regard to assessment, the use of AI is not permitted. Any use of AI constitutes a breach of academic integrity.

Teaching tools

Slides, authentic materials, websites, and the Virtuale platform.

Students will be enrolled on the platform (https://virtuale.unibo.it/) by the lecturer at the beginning of the course.

Students who do not attend classes are invited to contact the lecturer by email to request access to the platform.

Office hours

See the website of Alessandra Rosa