TLÜ Haapsalu Kolledž, Lihula mnt. 12, Haapsalu 90507; Tel: ; e-post: Haapsalu 2010 VET-HE BRIDGE BETWEEN VOCATIONAL AND HIGHER EDUCATION

TLÜ Haapsalu Kolledž, Lihula mnt. 12, Haapsalu 90507; Tel: ; e-post: Principles of recognizing prior learning and professional experience RPL, (Est. VÕTA ) Kristel Marmor Academic auditor

TLÜ Haapsalu Kolledž, Lihula mnt. 12, Haapsalu 90507; Tel: ; e-post: Shortly of the background From transferring previous studies to transferring prior learning and professional experience. - transferring subjects completed at the same study level, - recognizing prior studies from a previous level and additional studies, - recognizing professional experience.

TLÜ Haapsalu Kolledž, Lihula mnt. 12, Haapsalu 90507; Tel: ; e-post: Legislation There are two public documents in Estonia, which regulate higher education: The Universities Act The Standard of Higher Education Since 2008, the Standard of Higher Education establishes the goal of recognizing RPL, general principles and principles of proving and assessing. The Statute and Form of Diploma and Academic Transcript regulates the entering of RPL onto academic transcript.

TLÜ Haapsalu Kolledž, Lihula mnt. 12, Haapsalu 90507; Tel: ; e-post: Estonian specificity RPL was first used in higher education, not in applied education, Majority of students apply for recognition of prior studies for completing the curriculum, but not for recognition of professional experience, Universities first started to use outcome-based curricula, the compiling of outcome-based curricula in Tallinn University took place in 2006.

TLÜ Haapsalu Kolledž, Lihula mnt. 12, Haapsalu 90507; Tel: ; e-post: Attitudes towards RPL There are various attitudes towards RPL. Main fears: - a student has not acquired those learning outcomes that we assume he/she should obtain by studying a subject at a university, - the skill of self-analysis of students provide a problem as it doesn´t always allow assessing the acquiring of learning outcomes accurately, - different opinions of lecturers and students on RPL.

TLÜ Haapsalu Kolledž, Lihula mnt. 12, Haapsalu 90507; Tel: ; e-post: RPL network A network of RPL has been created in Estonia, which includes the representatives of about 20 higher education establishment. The network has been created with a target to work out unified standpoints, comprehension of RPL, the network members can also exchange their best practices. They have formulated what RPL is, what its goals and application principles are.

TLÜ Haapsalu Kolledž, Lihula mnt. 12, Haapsalu 90507; Tel: ; e-post: What is RPL? RPL, the recognition of prior learning, is the process whereby an institution assesses the competence of an applicant based on specific criteria – how the applicant’s knowledge, skills and attitudes adhere to the enrolment criteria of the educational institution, the learning outcomes of the curriculum or its part(s) or the competency requirements of professional standards. If the applicant’s competence corresponds to these requirements, they will be taken into account in the fulfilment of the enrolment criteria and curriculum or upon awarding professional qualifications.

TLÜ Haapsalu Kolledž, Lihula mnt. 12, Haapsalu 90507; Tel: ; e-post: The goal of RPL is to value the competency of a person and provide equal opportunities for assessing and acknowledging it, regardless of the time, place and manner of acquiring the knowledge and skills; support lifelong learning and flexibility between the education system and the labour market as well as within these; improve access to education for people who are socially disadvantaged; broaden their opportunities to acquire an education and compete in the labour market, thus fostering the efficiency of utilising individuals as a resource for society.

TLÜ Haapsalu Kolledž, Lihula mnt. 12, Haapsalu 90507; Tel: ; e-post: RPL makes it possible to consider... prior studies in educational institutions; knowledge and skills acquired through additional training or independent studies; knowledge and skills acquired through professional and other experience. RPL primarily considers how the content of prior knowledge or skills complies with a curriculum or professional standard. Only those competencies that correspond to the learning outcomes of the curriculum and subject or module in question can be considered.

TLÜ Haapsalu Kolledž, Lihula mnt. 12, Haapsalu 90507; Tel: ; e-post: The role of RPL in obtaining an education RPL provides more flexible opportunities for obtaining an education. RPL enables people to finish studies faster and improve their position on the labour market; make optimal use of the resources of an educational institution or employer; use personal, social and economic potential more efficiently; plan their career and studies with greater awareness.

TLÜ Haapsalu Kolledž, Lihula mnt. 12, Haapsalu 90507; Tel: ; e-post: Application of RPL The recognition of prior studies and professional experience may be useful to people who wish to continue interrupted studies; change curricula/majors (also within a school); continue studies, but lack the required qualification in order to commence studies in the chosen curriculum or course; complement their knowledge after obtaining an education or commencing work/studies in a different field;

TLÜ Haapsalu Kolledž, Lihula mnt. 12, Haapsalu 90507; Tel: ; e-post: Application of RPL study abroad, but their level of education does not comply with the enrolment criteria of the selected foreign university; apply for recognition of knowledge that has been acquired informally through work or leisure activities; provide evidence of existing skills and knowledge in the process of awarding professional qualifications; consciously plan further careers.

TLÜ Haapsalu Kolledž, Lihula mnt. 12, Haapsalu 90507; Tel: ; e-post: The broader context to be considered at application of RPL What is the task and mission of the university according to the Universities Act. A university and an applied education institute have different tasks. What are the requirements to curricula established in the Standard of Higher education, also goals of the study levels of higher education, learning outcomes to be achieved, What are the general and specific requirements for lecturers imposed by the Standard of Higher Education and foundation documents, Quality requirements established in the educational establishment.

TLÜ Haapsalu Kolledž, Lihula mnt. 12, Haapsalu 90507; Tel: ; e-post: What is important about RPL in the university It is a process which allows to consider, assess and recognize learning that has taken place outside the formal system of education. Assessing learning from experience as a concept follows the idea that learning is a value and valuable no matter where, how and when the learning has taken place. Learning from experience stresses that learning is no longer only related to the curriculum logic.

TLÜ Haapsalu Kolledž, Lihula mnt. 12, Haapsalu 90507; Tel: ; e-post: Explanation For the applicant the recognition is important. We may consider the previous studies, which have been very interesting, but we don´t recognize these, because they don´t correspond to the learning outcomes of a subject. We may assess prior studies, but not recognize, because they don´t correspond to learning outcomes. The application process is successful only when the assessors recognize previous studies. An important change has been brought out in the process compared to earlier– learning is valuable, not the time and place of learning.

TLÜ Haapsalu Kolledž, Lihula mnt. 12, Haapsalu 90507; Tel: ; e-post: Thank you!