ILO'S MOOC ON RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of prior learning (RPL) is a process of identifying, documenting, assessing and certifying formal, non-formal and informal learning outcomes against standards used in formal education and training. For many individuals who lack the recognized qualifications to access the labour market, further education and decent jobs, RPL enables them to acquire a formal qualification that matches their knowledge and skills, and thereby contribute to improving their employability, mobility, lifelong learning, social inclusion and self-esteem. Therefore, RPL not only serves as a policy tool to increase social inclusion and equity, it also helps to increase the employability of workforce and to strengthen qualifications systems. This MOOC is part of the ILO’s efforts in supporting countries to develop and implement RPL systems. It unfolded over seven weeks, during which participants gained an in-depth understanding of RPL including the basic definitions, underpinning theories, typical processes, assessment design, and emerging trends in digitalisation. Apart from presenting a wide range of existing and emerging RPL practices from around the world, the MOOC also featured online webinars, forum discussions with international experts, peer-to-peer learning and knowledge-sharing among participants from different countries. There were two key target groups, who were accommodated by the unique design of the MOOC. The MOOC was, in fact, two courses in one: • RPL Essentials course (weeks 1 – 3), designed for those people who are new to RPL who need a quick overview of the key features, processes and practices of RPL. • RPL Development course (weeks 4 – 7), designed for those who need deeper insight into the underpinning theory of RPL, the systemic enablers, assessment tool design, e-RPL and advocacy. OBJECTIVES Given the unique and unrivalled position of the ILO in the RPL arena, the MOOC put participants and their organizations at the heart of current debate and policy options on the topic. By the end of the MOOC, participants have acquired a holistic understanding of key characteristics of RPL, with clear learning outcomes stated at the beginning of each module. The overall objectives of the MOOC were: • to promote an increased understanding of RPL and the mainstreaming of RPL into national policies, systems and strategies throughout the world; • to support policy makers, RPL practitioners and anyone interested in RPL to design and implement effective RPL systems, policies and programmes; • to facilitate knowledge exchange and co-creation by capturing the good practices and innovative solutions shared by international experts and experienced practitioners. CONTENT The key topics addressed during the seven weeks of the RPL Development course are outlined here below: Week 1: RPL Overview • What is RPL • Why do we do RPL? • Barriers and enablers for RPL Week 2: RPL Process • Preparing for RPL process • RPL activities • After RPL feedback Week 3: RPL Good Practice • RPL for migrants and refugees • RPL for the transition from informal to formal • Innovative practices in higher education RPL • RPL in the European Union as a collaborative region • Additional innovative RPL practices: funding, training and listening to stakeholders Week 4: RPL models • How we learn at work and in a classroom • Different categories of RPL and their pros and cons • RPL as a pedagogy in its own right Week 5: RPL tools • Key considerations when assessing prior learning • Assessment methods and challenges Week 6: RPL system enablers • Regulatory framework • Funding of RPL • Monitoring, evaluation and ongoing quality improvement Week 7: RPL digitalisation • Digitalisation of RPL • RPL and micro-credentials & RPL and badging • Promotion and marketing of RPL ACHIEVEMENT Participants have completed the interactive lessons in each module, engaged in forum discussions, gone through knowledge acquisition assessments, participated in two synchronous webinars and submitted two project assignments.