42nd EUCEN Conference - Bridging the gaps between learning pathways

Genoa (IT), 16-18 November 2011

CALL FOR POSTERS

EUCEN continues its celebration of the 20th Anniversary with the theme of Validation. This time, the conference will be at the University of Genoa (Italy).

The conference will address the following topics:

A. Learning contexts

B. Universities acknowledgment of acquired competences

C. The VAE model and experimentations in European countries

D. Implementing Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

E. Recognizing virtual qualifications

The main objectives of the conference are to:

■Provide participants with the opportunity to explore different themes in more detail

■Share best practices with colleagues from various European countries

■Analyse cases and extrapolate them to their own environment

■Define issues for further analysis and research

■Exploring new ideas for European project proposals

We welcome contributions that are related to one of the five topics listed above in the form of Posters, explaining a case study, results of research and/or development projects or a critical analysis and reflection on the theme.

There will be a slot of 1:30 hours on the afternoon of Thursday 17 November 2011 for the posters accepted to present their work to those participants interested to know more.

The poster exhibit will be open throughout the conference (i.e. Wednesday 16:30 to Friday 13:00).

We look forward to receiving your Contributions!

DESCRIPTION OF THE TOPICS

TOPIC ‘A’: sessions A1 and A2

Today’s Higher Education environment more than ever demands Universities to interact and cooperate with a wide range of players and new qualified actors having influence or also promoting socioeconomic changes and innovative learning tracks. The University system must address its role in this changing scenario, linking research and education without pretending to be the monopolist or becoming one of the competitors. Which positioning for Universities within LLL context? The focus will be on University – enterprises / social economy relationship versus partnership.

TOPIC ‘B’: sessions B1 and B2

Recognition of knowledge, skills and competences acquired by mature perspective students through non-formal and informal learning opportunities is more and more considered as a people’s justified expectation and a crucial issue for academies. To which extent do universities need to develop specific educational pathways and supportive tools for adult learners in order to make them benefit from their prior learning? The focus will be on issues, tools, processes and outcomes of prior learning recognition.

TOPIC ‘C’: sessions C1 and C2

The French model of VAE (Validation des acquis de l’expérience), in English APEL (Assessment/Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning), and its related educational pathways are highly esteemed in many European countries. Yet national legislative frameworks often are very different from each other and may demand some preliminary testing approach or any sweeping adaptations too in order to give it implementation. Even the potential beneficiaries of this process, need sometimes to be prepared for such an important cultural change. What's happening in the various European countries? Which are the projects carried out in this field?

TOPIC ‘D’: sessions D1, D2 and D3

This workshop addresses RPL as a central part of the institutional change in university lifelong learning. It is based on the interactive training materials of the IMPLEMENT project. This peer-learning session is dedicated to provide a good overview on the essential elements of a RPL process and the perspectives and challenges to get RPL to work in practice. The starting point of the learning process will be 2 cases describing RPL in Denmark. Key questions in the session will be: How do we understand RPL as an essential element in lifelong learning? How do we set up RPL? And what are the challenges for whom? Special emphasis will be given to the application of the interactive Moodle platform where all modules of the IMPLEMENT-project will be accessible.

TOPIC ‘E’: sessions E1, E2 and E3

VIRQUAL is a project with ambitious goals: combine virtual learning, assessment of learning outcomes and recognition of competences to achieve virtual mobility. The project has worked for three years with a dedicated network, several contributions from other projects and organizations, dissemination events with debates around Europe and two international awards. The strand in the EUCEN Genoa conference has three sessions: a presentation of the project results in a Socratic structure with the help of project partners, a hands-on workshop to apply the guides and tools to individual experiences and an extended open debate with an expert Michel Feutrie. If you are interested in any of the project goals then the participation in any of these sessions has something for you.

GUIDELINES FOR CONTRIBUTIONS

We will only accept proposals:

●with a maximum length of 1 page

●submitted using the Request Form attached to this document

●submitted by email to

●received by 15 October 2011 at the above email address

Posters addressing the themes of the conference are welcomed. Each poster should include a title in large letters and the institution where the work was completed. We suggest that materials to be easily read at a distance of 1½ meters.

The abstract of the accepted posters can be printed as handouts to be distributed to participants to the conference. Presentation of the posters can be formally done on Thursday 17 November between 16:30 and 18:00.

All proposals will undergo a peer review process. A reply will be sent to authors by 03 November 2011 confirming the acceptance/non acceptance of the proposal. All the accepted posters will be published in the conference proceedings.

At least one author of each accepted poster is required to register to the conference and to be available on Thursday between 16:30 and 18:30 at the assigned space to answer questions during the poster session. We are not in a position to give any special discounts on the registration fee or other expenses.

Authors must bring the posters with them to Genoa, inform the Registration desk that they have a poster and pin it to the assigned location. Authors must also take care of removing their poster by Friday 18 November at 13:00. Those posters left in the exhibit will be destroyed.

The poster dimensions accepted is size A1 maximum (i.e. 841 x 594 mm). Pins and fixing tape will be available in the exhibit hall.

Stages of selection

Stage 1Deadline for acceptance of contribution forms: Saturday 15 October 2011

Stage 2EUCEN will announce the decision to accepted participants on Thursday 03 November 2011.

Stage 3Deadline for registration to the person presenting the accepted poster: Saturday 05 November 2011.

Poster Session – Total maximum length: 1 page

Name SURNAME
Institution
Telephone / Email
Please select the topic.
Only one choice. /
  • Learning contexts
  • Universities acknowledgement of acquired competences
  • Bottom-Up approach: the VAE model and experimentation in European countries
  • IMPLEMENTING Recognition of Prior Learning
  • Recognition of virtual qualifications

Please select the type of contribution.
Only one choice. /
  • Case study
  • Research results
  • Survey or comparison analysis
  • Critical analysis / reflection

Title of your poster:
Questions addressed within the topic:
Summary of content (150 to 300 words):

Send your filled in form only to by 15 October 2011.