This report is the result of a study commissioned by UNESCO-UNEVOC to fill the gap both on mapping the landscape of the use of Open Educational Resources (OER) and open practices in the field of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and to provide Member States and UNESCO, in particular UNESCO-UNEVOC, with recommendations to support the creation and the use of OER in TVET.
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The focus of the thesis is an exploration into students’ vocational knowledge in the context of Dutch vocational education and training (VET). The reason students’ vocational knowledge requires exploration is because there is no consensus among scholars in the field of VET about how to theorise the nature of students’ vocational knowledge; most (not all) scholars rely on dichotomous conceptualisations, such as theory versus practice, general versus specific or explicit versus implicit. However, such commonly used dichotomies are not very helpful to understand the complex nature of vocational knowledge. Vocational knowledge is more than putting bits of theoretical and practical knowledge together, it is characterised by sometimes-intimate relationships between knowledge and actions. As a result of the above-mentioned gap in the VET literature, there is little empirical research on how VET students develop vocational knowledge and the extent to which this is occupation-specific knowledge. To understand students’ vocational knowledge, four different aims are formulated and carried out in four studies. The aim of the first study is to identify powerful vocational learning environments to enable the selection of a case that represents high quality vocational learning and teaching. With an eye on analysing students’ vocational knowledge, the second study aims to conceptualise the nature of vocational knowledge that avoids dichotomies. Therefore, two conceptual frameworks are integrated; the idea of contextualising is introduced which is based on cultural-historical theory to highlight the crucial role activity plays in knowledge development and to understand the relationships between the mind (i.e., what people think (and feel)), and action (i.e., what people do). Secondly, the theory is supplemented with ideas from inferentialism, a philosophical semantic theory of meaning to provide a useful way to focus on students’ processes of knowing and to reveal students’ vocational knowledge in terms of ongoing reasoning processes. The third study uses the conceptualisation of vocational knowledge to explore how students develop vocational knowledge in occupational practice, and to illustrate the process of contextualising. The forth study aims to describe what characterises students’ vocational knowledge using an analytic framework that distinguishes between occupation-specific knowledge components and qualities. This thesis contributes to research scholarship in the field of VET and an understanding of students’ vocational knowledge in practice. The theoretical framework of contextualising supplemented with inferentialism provides an alternative way to focus on students’ processes of knowing and helps to reveal students’ vocational knowledge in terms of reasoning processes. The empirical explorations and illustrations of students’ vocational knowledge contribute to the scholarly literature and practice on understanding the nature of vocational knowledge, how students develop vocational knowledge and what characterises their vocational knowledge. The intention to introduce the idea of contextualising is not about reinventing the wheel but rather an attempt to understand how it turns and how it functions. The intention of this thesis is to encourage dialogue and move the debate about the nature of vocational knowledge further, and hence, to provide some “food for thought”.
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Purpose - This paper provides an overview on the technical and vocational education and training (TVET) program components/mechanisms and their overall effect on learning outcomes in a developing country context. Design/methodology/approach - Using secondary data, this descriptive case study integrates the realistic evaluation framework of Pawson and Tilley (1997) with Total Quality Management (TQM) frameworks. Findings - Ethiopia's TVET system adopts/adapts international best practices. Following the implementation of the 2008 TVET strategy, the proportion of formal TVET graduates who were recognized as competent by the assessment and certification system increased from 17.42 percent in 2009/2010 to 40.23 percent in 2011/2012. Nevertheless, there is regional variation. Research limitations/implications - Outcome-based TVET reforms that are based on TQM frameworks could improve learning outcome achievements in developing countries by enhancing awareness, coordination, integration, flexibility, participation, empowerment, accountability and a quality culture. Nevertheless, this research is limited by lack of longitudinal data on competency test results. There is also a need for further investigation into the practice of TQM and the sources of differences in internal effectiveness across TVET institutions. Practical implications - Our description of the Ethiopian reform experience, which is based on international best experience, could better inform policy makers and practitioners in TVETelsewhere in Africa. Originality/value - A realistic evaluation of TVET programs, the articulation of the mechanisms, especially based on TQM, that affect TVET effectiveness would add some insight into the literature. The evidence we have provided from the Ethiopian case is also fresh. Keywords TVET reform, TVET quality, Total quality management, Internal effectiveness, Realistic evaluation, Developing countries, Ethiopia
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The European creative visual industry is undergoing rapid technological development, demanding solid initiatives to maintain a competitive position in the marketplace. AVENUE, a pan-European network of Centres of Vocational Excellence, addresses this need through a collaboration of five independent significant ecosystems, each with a smart specialisation. AVENUE will conduct qualified industry-relevant research to assess, analyse, and conclude on the immediate need for professional training and educational development. The primary objective of AVENUE is to present opportunities for immediate professional and vocational training, while innovating teaching and learning methods in formal education, to empower students and professionals in content creation, entrepreneurship, and innovation, while supporting sustainability and healthy working environments. AVENUE will result in a systematised upgrade of workforce to address the demand for new skills arising from rapid technological development. Additionally, it will transform the formal education within the five participating VETs, making them able to transition from traditional artistic education to delivering skills, mindsets and technological competencies demanded by a commercial market. AVENUE facilitates mobility, networking and introduces a wide range of training formats that enable effective training within and across the five ecosystems. A significant portion of the online training is Open Access, allowing professionals from across Europe to upgrade their skills in various processes and disciplines. The result of AVENUE will be a deep-rooted partnership between five strong ecosystems, collaborating to elevate the European industry. More than 2000 professionals, employees, students, and young talents will benefit from relevant and immediate upgrading of competencies and skills, ensuring that the five European ecosystems remain at the forefront of innovation and competitiveness in the creative visual industry.
Dit programma, gefinancierd door de Europese Commissie, zal een nieuwe strategie voor ontwerp en adoptie van ICT-competenties ontwikkelen en vertalen naar een curriculum voor beroepsonderwijs en -opleidingen in Europa. Doel is om huidige en toekomstige competentietekorten in de Europese softwaresector aan te pakkenDoel De Europese Software Skills Alliantie (gefinancierd door de Europese Commissie) is een samenwerkingsverband met als doel het ontwerpen, implementeren en verspreiden van een nieuwe strategie voor het opstellen en adopteren van ICT-competenties om huidige en toekomstige competentietekorten in de Europese softwaresector aan te pakken. Resultaten Alle partners werken samen om ervoor te zorgen dat de nieuwe Software Skills-strategie voortkomt uit de vraag van het werkveld naar softwarevaardigheden. Hierbij speelt de combinatie van beroepsonderwijs en -opleiding en werkgebaseerde leerinitiatieven een rol om snelle bijscholing en omscholing te implementeren. De nieuwe strategie en onderwijsoplossing houden rechtstreeks verband met erkende Europese instrumenten, en normen die vaardigheden en loopbaanontwikkeling in het algemeen mogelijk maken. Bovendien zullen nieuwe mechanismen hierin worden opgenomen, voor een duurzame implementatie in de verschillende programmalanden. Looptijd 01 december 2020 - 31 december 2024 Meer nieuws Website ESSA softwareskills.eu Aanmelden ESSA nieuwsbrief LinkedIn groep ESSA Needs Analysis Rapport - Europe’s Most Needed Software Roles and Skills Presentatie Key Findings 2021 Needs Analysis Report Artikel: The Software Skills and Professionals You Need in Your Team Artikel: The Top 4 Skills for Software Professionals Artikel: 2021 Retrospective: The Good, the Bad, and the Merry Artikel: NL Case Studie - Digitale certificaten voor de erkenning van niet formele educatie Blog HU lector Pascal Ravesteijn: Towards an European Software Skills Strategy ESSA highlights Launch event ESSA Case Study Booklet - 12 ideas to tackle the shortage of Software Professionals in Europe Wetenschappelijk issue: Bridge the Gap: ICT Competences and Vocational Education and Training ESSA CommunityESSA heeft de ESSA Software Skills-community opgericht om individuen met elkaar te verbinden die ernaar streven te voldoen aan de bijscholings- en bijscholingsbehoeften van de softwaresector in Europa. De community richt zich op de volgende onderwerpen: software, ontwikkeling van software vaardigheden, lesgeven en leren, training, human resources, technologie en carrières. Aanpak Het project bestaat uit zes werkpakketten. Het lectoraat Procesinnovatie & Informatiesystemen is actief betrokken bij alle werkpakketten en co-lead voor werkpakket vier waarin doormiddel van een pilot het ontworpen curriculum wordt getoetst. Hierbij zijn de belangrijkste resultaten van dit werkpakket: modulaire opleidingsprogramma's om de nieuwe curricula voor beroepsonderwijs en -opleidingen te implementeren, die elk bestaan uit een reeks modules die samen de geformuleerde leerdoelen omvatten; proefprogramma's voor beroepsonderwijs en -opleidingen opzetten en uitvoeren voor verschillende doelgroepen in 7 EU-partnerlanden, de doeltreffendheid meten, feedback verzamelen en de opleidingsprogramma's herhalen en verbeteren; werkplek leren opnemen in de nieuwe opleidingsprogramma's met mogelijkheden om kennis toe te passen in praktische situaties die verband houden met elke rol en waar mogelijk transnationale leerervaring opnemen; een Train-the-Trainer-programma ontwikkelen om de bijscholing van docenten te vergemakkelijken waarbij zij de kennis, het vertrouwen en de hulpmiddelen verkrijgen om de training volgens de hoogste kwaliteitsnormen te geven. Relevantie beroepspraktijk ESSA heeft tot doel een innovatief en uitgebreid onderwijscurriculum te ontwikkelen dat is aangepast aan verschillende rol- en functieprofielen en onderliggende competenties, kennis en vaardigheden van de sector. Stap 1: Een analyse van de markt- en bedrijfsbehoeften worden uitgevoerd om een gefundeerde basis te leggen voor de ontwikkeling en implementatie van zowel de Software Skills Strategie als de onderwijsprogramma's. Een belangrijk element hierbij is het werkplek leren (bv. via stage of learning-on-the-job). Stap 2: In een pilot wordt het nieuw ontwikkelde onderwijsmateriaal getest om daarna een vaste plek te krijgen in het curriculum van zowel hoger onderwijsinstellingen als commerciële trainingsbureaus in Europa. Meer weten? www.softwareskills.eu/ DigitalEurope.org ESSA LinkedIn en Twitter
• Alliances for Innovation will be anchored in strategic and sustainable cooperation among vocational education and training (VET), higher education (HE) and enterprises working together to boost the innovation capacity of Europe. They will considerably strengthen the synergies between both educational fields in fostering innovation, new skills, a sense of initiative and entrepreneurial mind-sets. The Alliances for Innovation will focus on the need of citizens and accelerate the modernization of HE and VET. • The Alliances will help to implement the EU Communication on the Renewed Agenda for Higher Education and contribute to the creation of a European Education Area. The Alliances for Innovation will also take into account the Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
