ECTS – Advantages and Disadvantages TEMPUS CORINTHIAM Beit Daniel, Israel 19 December 2010 CORINTHIAM ECTS BOLOGNA INTERNATIONALISATION QUALITY ASSURANCE EHEA DIPLOMA SUPPLEMENT INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS OFFICE MEDA REGION

Three general points ECTS effects both institutions and students. ECTS is implemented in many different ways, and to many different degrees. ECTS was originally driven by political, not educational/pedagogic aims. CORINTHIAM – 19 December

Advantages – institutions I harmonization of different practices ◦ (rough) equalization of course demands ◦ (relative) transparency of course offerings ◦ greater clarity of evaluation procedures flexibility of different teaching methodologies CORINTHIAM – 4 May 20103

Advantages – institutions II greater attraction for domestic students ◦ to undertake studies at one’s own institution ◦ to transfer to one’s own institution (e.g. at Master’s level) increased flexibility in lifelong learning programmes greater attraction for international students CORINTHIAM – 4 May 20104

Advantages – students Advantages – students I greater transparency of educational process at home student-focused system (learning outcomes) thanks to transferability of credits: ◦ greater flexibility at home university  within degree programme  in changing degree programme ◦ easier to change university CORINTHIAM – 4 May 20105

Advantages – students II international mobility (study abroad/ exchange) (ultimately) greater employability at home and abroad 6CORINTHIAM – 4 May 2010

Other claims I: degree programmes The ECTS: makes it easier to construct well-balanced programmes promotes the feasibility of programmes in terms of student workload enhances the quality of programmes 7CORINTHIAM – 4 May 2010

Other claims II: other types of education 8 The ECTS: promotes and facilitates lifelong learning facilitates the recognition of different types of learning (informal, non-formal, distance learning, vocational education and training, etc.) ◦ CORINTHIAM – 4 May 2010

Other claims III: higher education in general 9 The ECTS: helps to encourage wider participation in higher education CORINTHIAM – 4 May 2010

Disadvantages 10 the work entailed to implement the ECTS the possibility that the ECTS can be hijacked by national governments an overstandardization of curricula incompatibility with national/local educational traditions CORINTHIAM – 4 May 2010

Misconceptions 11 The ECTS is a panacea for all problems related to mobility Once implemented, the ECTS is set in stone. CORINTHIAM – 4 May 2010

but in the end, for most of us – at least in Europe – … 12CORINTHIAM – 4 May 2010

13 It’s really the only game in town. It’s really the only game in town. CORINTHIAM – 4 May 2010

14CORINTHIAM – 4 May 2010 Thank you for your attention.