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

Course contents focuses on the assessment and certification of formal, non-formal and informal learning.

In the first part of the course, the origins and developments of docimological studies will be examined in order to outline an overview about learning assessment functions, procedures, and tools. The main topics covered will concern the different functions of assessment (diagnostic, formative, summative); docimological procedures for valid and reliable assessment; and the different types of tests for measuring and assessing learning (open, semistructured, structured).

In the second part of the course, attention will be focused on the issue of recognition of non-formal and informal learning, placed at the center of educational policies on lifelong/lifewide learning in connection with changes in society and the labour market. Tools for improving the transparency and portability of people's qualifications and procedures for the validation and certification of competences acquired in different learning contexts will be examined in relation to the developments in legislation at the European and national levels.

Readings/Bibliography

Compulsory readings both for attending and non-attending students:

• Bisio C. (ed.) (2002). Valutare in formazione. Azioni, significati e valori. Milano: Franco Angeli [only pp. 78-128].
  
• Reggio P., Righetti E. (eds.) (2013). L’esperienza valida. Teorie e pratiche per riconoscere e valutare le competenze. Roma: Carocci.
• Cedefop (2015). European guidelines for validating non-formal and informal learning. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union [available at link www.cedefop.europa.eu/files/3073_en.pdf].
• Materials and resources available on the course platform (see below under "Teaching tools").

A partially different program can be agreed with the teacher for Erasmus students who have included the course in their learning agreement.

Teaching methods

Lectures, group work and discussions, analysis of authentic materials.

Assessment methods

Oral examination on the texts listed in the bibliography and materials available on the platform.

The evaluation criteria will be as follows: correctness, relevance and comprehensiveness of content; ability to make connections and argumentation; mastery of specific vocabulary; clarity and organicity of exposition.

Teaching tools

Slides, authentic materials, websites, Virtual platform.

Student registration on the platform (https://virtuale.unibo.it/) will be done by the teacher at the beginning of the course.

Non-attending students are requested to contact the teacher writing a mail to alessandra.rosa3@unibo.it.

Office hours

See the website of Alessandra Rosa