Transcript Quality Assurance

National Council for Curriculum and Assessment
Invitational Seminar
Developing Senior Cycle Education – Key Issues
3 April 2003
NCVA – The Experience of Using a Modular Approach
Orla Lynch (FETAC)
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Choosing a Modular Approach
Flexible, responsive
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Access
Progression
Clear goals
Credit accumulation
Full and part time learning
Diversity
Choice
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Range of Approaches to
Learning
Learning styles
Ways of learning
Pace of learning
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NCVA Principles
ACCESS
PROGRESSION
RECOGNITION
QUALITY
PARTNERSHIP
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NCVA Certification Framework
Levels framework
Certificates – Foundation to Level 3
Modules
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NCVA Modules
An outline of standards to be achieved by learners
developed in consultation with course providers,
social partners and sectoral experts
a self contained unit of learning
delivered and assessed independently/integrated
combined with other modules within a programme
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Features of the NCVA module
Title, Code, Level
Credit Value
Purpose
Special Requirements
General Aims
Specific Learning Outcomes
Assessment
Marking Sheets
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Module/Certificate Development
National standards
Expert working groups
5 Boards of Studies
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Art, Craft and Design
Business and Administration
Science, Technology and Natural Resources
Services, Leisure and Tourism
Communications, Performing Arts and General
Studies
Board and Council approval
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Local Development
Local module development
Response to local needs
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Programmes meeting local needs
New ideas in learning
Where national standards are not available
Involvement and ownership
Board and Council approval
National standards
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Assessment
Module standards met
Criterion referenced
Variety of techniques
Local
External examiners monitor/modify
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Assessment Techniques
Assignment
Collection of Work
Examination
Learner Record
Project
Skills Demonstration
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Types of Awards (2)
Record of Achievement
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Where a module/number of modules is achieved
Can be combined towards a certificate
Certificate
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Needs of learners, economy and society
Key/core skills
Particular number (8) and range of modules
Mandatory and elective items
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Higher Education Links Scheme
NCVA Level 2 certificate holders
Designated places in Institutes of
Technology
Processed by CAO
Recent NUI additions
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Key Figures
1994
Certificates
1673
Records of Achievement 5509
Combinations
N/A
Learners over 25
7%
Centres
137
Centre Types
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2002
9347
37070
20%
45%
1000
30
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Success of Modular Approach
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Multiple delivery sites
 Work-based learning
 Community/voluntary
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Choice
 Learners
 Providers
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Credit accumulation
 Manageable ‘chunks’
 Early success for learners
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Local development
Access and progression
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Trends
Responsiveness
Progression
Diversity
Coherence
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Challenges Going Forward
Flexible and coherent award structures
Broader range of core skills
Local development opportunities
Work based learning opportunities
International/national recognition
Accreditation of prior learning
Programme and centre evaluation/quality
assurance
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Recent
National Developments
Qualifications Act 1999
National Qualifications Authority of Ireland
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National Framework of Qualifications
Access Transfer and Progression
Review activities of Awards Councils
Further Education and Training Awards Council
Higher Education and Training Awards Council
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Qualifications Act - 1999
Department of
Education & Science
National Qualifications
Authority of Ireland
NQAI
Further Education & Training
Awards Council
Higher Education & Training
Awards Council
(FÁS, CERT, Teagasc,
NCVA, BIM)
(NCEA)
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FETAC
Incorporates former awarding functions
of CERT, FAS, Teagasc, NCVA and BIM
All operated modularized/unitized
structures
FETAC to offer modularised
awards/credit framework
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Functions of FETAC
FETAC
Make Awards
Determine Standards for Awards
Validate Programmes
Monitor and review the Quality of programmes
Ensure providers implement access, transfer
and progression
Ensure providers establish and implement fair
and consistent assessment of learners
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Functions of FETAC
Provider
Determine Standards
Make Awards
QA System
Programme(s)
Programme Validation
Learners
Monitor Programmes
Quality
Assessment
A, T & P
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Determining Standards
Knowledge, skill and competence
General standards for FETAC awards
Specific standards for named awards
Standards developed in consultation
with Social Partners
National standards
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Making Awards
New FETAC award structures
Single award structure for further
education and training
National Framework of Qualifications
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Validation – Role of Provider
Develop programme with reference to:
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National framework
Access, transfer & progression
National standards
Fair and consistent assessment
Learner requirements
Submit programme to FETAC
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Quality Assurance
about maintaining and improving the quality
of validated programmes
learner focused
related to the context of the provider and
learners
about the ‘whats’ and not the ‘hows’
positive
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