1. Experiential Learning Donegal ETB
From RPL to APL
Experiential Learning
Donegal ETB
Martina Needham, Donegal ETB

2. Martina Needham, Donegal ETB
RPL - Stages
Identification
Identification of the knowledge, skills and competences (the learning outcomes) acquired. This can be done using ICT tools or interviews / dialogue with candidates.
Martina Needham, Donegal ETB

3. Martina Needham, Donegal ETB
Identification
Skills for Work Programme.
Course Content
Outcome for learners
Progression
Martina Needham, Donegal ETB

4. Martina Needham, Donegal ETB
Documentation
Documentation
Evidence of the learning outcomes acquired.
A career history of the individual, with documents (including work samples) that confirmed their learning achievements.
Evidence provided appropriate insight into the learning outcomes acquired.
Templates based on the Europass model were used to present / capture the learning experience.
Martina Needham, Donegal ETB

5. Martina Needham, Donegal ETB
Process
The Defence Forces submitted detailed sub-files to ETB staff. These files outlined the training, skills and experiences of each participant in relation to their work within the Defence Forces. Examples included: military courses, tours of overseas duty, aid to the civil power and civil authority and roles and responsibilities in respect of their current rank.
Martina Needham, Donegal ETB

6. Martina Needham, Donegal ETB
What were we thinking??
• Internet Skills
• Health and Safety Awareness
• Health and Fitness
• Communications
• Functional Maths / Mathematics
• Career Preparation
• Crime Awareness
• Transnational Experience
• Word Processing
• Retails Sales
• Retail Sales Transactions
• Office Procedures
Martina Needham, Donegal ETB

7. Martina Needham, Donegal ETB
Process
Martina Needham, Donegal ETB

8. Martina Needham, Donegal ETB
Process
The situation was new for both ETB tutors and participants.
The acquisition of some of the skills and outcomes had occurred through events that had taken place more than 5 years previously.
The linking and mapping did not fall into place as easily as had been hoped.
Martina Needham, Donegal ETB

9. Martina Needham, Donegal ETB
Process
Martina Needham, Donegal ETB

10. Martina Needham, Donegal ETB
Process
Back to the drawing board.
Clustering Skills
Martina Needham, Donegal ETB

11. Martina Needham, Donegal ETB
Process
Tutors and ETB staff now had a clear outline form the questionnaire and the documents that were submitted.
A process of ‘matching and fitting’ began.
Martina Needham, Donegal ETB

12. Martina Needham, Donegal ETB
Process -
As the documentation stage progressed a clear choice between two (2) major awards emerged.
The awards were in:
Information and Communications Technology
Employability Skills.
Both of these at Level 3 on the National Framework of Qualifications
Martina Needham, Donegal ETB

13. Martina Needham, Donegal ETB
Assessment
Building the portfolio(s)
Question:
Would we map the evidence to the programme, or
to the standard?
Martina Needham, Donegal ETB

14. Martina Needham, Donegal ETB
What about the gaps?
Workshops, discussions, dialogue, worksheets
Martina Needham, Donegal ETB

15. Martina Needham, Donegal ETB
Preparing a Portfolio
Different to the
portfolio of a group
member that
participated in
400 hours tuition
But equally valid.
Martina Needham, Donegal ETB

16. Martina Needham, Donegal ETB
Certification
The final stage of validation was the Certification of the results of the assessment.
Portfolios were prepared and finalised.
Evidence was mapped against standards.
Internal verification carried out.
Martina Needham, Donegal ETB

17. External Authentication
Authenticator had expertise in RPL/APL
Cross moderated
Martina Needham, Donegal ETB

18. Martina Needham, Donegal ETB
Outcome / Outputs
Certification achieved:
3 Major Awards at Level 3 in Employability Skills (2 with the same modules and the third with some differences in composition of modules)
2 Major Awards in ICT
1 achieved 5 modules at Level 3
1 achieved 4 modules at Level 3
Martina Needham, Donegal ETB

19. Martina Needham, Donegal ETB
Outcome / Outputs
Modules
Work Experience
Health and Safety Awareness
Communications
Maths
Internet Skills
Word Processing
Personal Effectiveness
Computer Literacy
Functional Maths
Martina Needham, Donegal ETB

20. Martina Needham, Donegal ETB
Outcome / Outputs
The credits are certified by the National Framework of Qualifications (QQI) and are linked to the European Framework.
Additional modules will contribute towards participants obtaining a Major Award at Level 4 in future.
Martina Needham, Donegal ETB

21. Martina Needham, Donegal ETB
Outcome / Outputs
Rolled out to other ETBs
Case Study in final stages.
Expertise – tutors / assessors
Participants – validation / progression options / engagement
Martina Needham, Donegal ETB

22. Martina Needham, Donegal ETB
Go raibh maith agaibh
Martina Needham, Donegal ETB