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APEL-it-yourself!!

Assessment of Prior Experiential Learning

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Content

1. APEL versus APCL

2. APEL Procedure

3. APEL within the organization

4. APEL-it-yourself

5. Contact

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1. APEL versus APCL

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1.1 Assessment of Prior Certificated learning

APCL is a process of assessment used to determine what has been learnt during formal learning paths* in another educational institution, in Belgium or abroad, and where qualifications were achieved and/or certificates obtained detailing the achieved learning. Where appropriate, this learning will be validated by credit(s).

* formal learning paths: accredited study programmes, programmes at institutions for higher education in social promotion

Free of charge

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1.2 Assessment of Prior Experiential Learning

APEL is the procedure in which the institution recognizes that an individual has proven achievement of the learning outcome(s) or competences of one or more modules through experience and practice (i.e. non-formal and informal, uncertificated learning).

Prior Experiential Learning: Acquired in a profession Acquired in voluntary work Acquired in leisure activities Acquired in non-formal and uncertificated learning (VDAB,

Syntra, UAMS, …)

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2. APEL Procedure

Procedure within the Ghent University Association

Partners: Ghent University University College Ghent

(Hogeschool Gent) Arteveldehogeschool Hogeschool West-Vlaanderen

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Main steps

Main steps:

Guidance

Application

Assessment

Accreditation

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2.1 Who applies for APEL?

Persons who:

Want to achieve a degree at an institution for higher education

By taking into account the competences (learning outcomes) achieved through informal and non-formal learning

By submitting a portfolio based on evidence related to learning outcomes

Result: Achieving credits or a diploma after assessment in APEL-procedure.

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2.2 Guidance

Services to the APEL-applicant:

- Providing information (portfolio, learning outcomes, competences, procedure, …)

- Providing support to complete the portfolio

- Providing the application documents

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Portfolio

The entire APEL procedure is based on the portfolio, which contains:

- personal information

- Proof of competence (min. 2, max. 4 pieces) e.g. certificate, labour contract, projects, videos, etc.

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2.3 Application

The department registers the application form and accepts the portfolio

The applicant signs a contract and pays for the APEL procedure

Duration of the procedure: 6 weeks

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Prices APEL

To acknowledge some competences of a bachelor or master: 155€

To acknowledge all competences of a bachelor: 590€

To acknowledge all competences of a master: (no bachelor’s degree): 770€

To acknowledge all competences of a master: (significant bachelor’s degree): 350€

Once the APEL procedure is finished the student has to register at the school and pay the normal enrolment fee

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2.4 Assessment

• Portfolio assessment is done by comparing the evidence to the learning outcomes.

• Two assessors evaluate the portfolio and give advice on the validation of the competence (learning outcomes)

• If necessary, assessors can decide to call for an assessment interview or test to clarify the portfolio evidence.

• The department head confirms if the competence is acquired

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Assessment techniques

Academic learning outcomes Portfolio + reflection

(+ interview or test) Professional learning outcomes

Portfolio + reflection (+ test) Portfolio + reflection (+ interview) Portfolio + interview (+ test) Portfolio + test (+ interview)

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2.5 Accreditation

Based on the advice, the department decides to validate prior experiential learning by an APEL certificate

The APEL certificate is recognised by all institutions within the Association.

Each individual institution has autonomy with respect to the award of credits.

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3. APEL within the organization

Many members of staff are involved in the APEL procedureAPEL counsellorStudent administration officeAssessorsDepartmentAll members of the institute

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People involved and documents

Information and communication Website Guide for the applicant Portfolio Guide

Support by the APEL advisor Advisor’s Guide

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People involved and documents

Student administration office Guide for the administration

Assessors Assessors guide

Department Guide for the MIP (authorised person)

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Quality control

Quality handbook Guides and procedure

Evaluation Separation between the roles of the

advisor and the assessor Internal appeal

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4. APEL-it-yourself

2 types of portfolio Goal: credits Goal: Bachelor or master diploma

Example here cfr. France: Bachelor APEL

The portfolio: Curriculum vitae The different certificates of proof Reflection/interview/test

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1. The curriculum vitae

Personal information Education Training Work experience Voluntary work Etc.

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2. Certificates of proof

Different certificates of proof Involvement in projects Realizations Certificates Evaluation reports Recommendations Videos, photos Etc.

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For every competence 2 to 4 certificates

Title or specification concerning the certificate of proof

1.

2.

3.

4.

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• All these documents will be assessed in terms of:

- authenticity

- relevance

- topicality

- quantity

- variety of context

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Possible pitfalls in the assessment of certificates of proof

Halo impact First impression Contrast impact Stereotyping Just-like-me Lack of direction Discrimination Development versus quality

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3. Reflection/ interview/ test

Reflection Open Guided (STARR)

Interview Competence based interview

Test Practice-oriented exercises

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Contact

Ghent University

Karine Janssens

APEL advisor

E-mail:Karine.janssens@

UGent.beTel.: +32 (0)9/ 264 70 26

University College Ghent

Charlotte Vandenberghe

APEL advisor

E-mail:charlotte.vandenberghe@

hogent.beTel.: +32 (0)9/ 242 26 70