JISC

Background and Context 
Aims and Objectives 
Project Design  
Implications / Deliverables / Stakeholders

Background and Context

The Dearing Inquiry into Higher Education (1997) recommended the introduction, over the medium term, of a HE Progress File comprising:

• A Transcript recording student achievement which should follow a common format devised by institutions collectively through their representative bodies;
• A means by which students can monitor, build and reflect upon their personal development (Personal Development Planning/Recording).’

In February 2001, Universities UK, SCoP and QAA produced Guidelines for HE Progress Files to support Universities and Colleges of Higher Education in developing and introducing Personal Development Planning by 2005/6.

In addition, the Consultation Document '14-19: extending opportunities, raising standards' announced that the new DfES Progress File will be made available to schools and colleges.  Progress File materials

'provide guidance and working materials to help those from 13 upwards review, record and present their achievements, set goals and make progress in learning and at work.' 

This approach in schools and colleges is therefore highly congruent with the developments in PDP within HE.

Two projects currently funded under the 01-01 programme by JISC are looking to develop the use of learner transcripts (or Personal Development Records) as part of their cross-institutional architectures to support learners between institutions. 

Further work is needed in this area to:

• ensure that the developments are of generic value to the sector, rather than limited to the needs of the projects;
• involve a wide consultation with the stakeholders;
• engage with the Centre for Recording Achievement and the CETIS LIPSIG (Learner Information Profiles Special Interest Group) to develop a PDP specification;
• test and implement the PDP specification with established software tools (developed in institutions outside the current projects)..

Aims and Objectives

The overall aim of the Project is to support cross-sectoral development in IT based Learner Profiling systems that are based upon, and congruent with, good pedagogic practice.

The Project will undertake:

• a study of existing work and requirements for Learner Profiles;
• an investigation of available software for Learner Development;
• a structured consultation and engagement with the FE / HE community in generic models for Learner Development and Learner Profiles;
• to produce the specification(s) of the learning development profile;
• and looks towards the piloting of learning profiling software to use the specification(s).

The project reports to JCLT through the MLE Evaluation Team and Programme Manager.

Project Design

Work Package 1 will develop the first draft of a document setting out the requirements for Learner Profiles and Learner Development processes sufficient for the 01-01 projects (or any FE/HE partnership) to identify appropriate software to support shared learning and transitions across FE/HE within an MLE.  This first draft will be the basis for consultation with the FE/HE community in Work Package 2 and will produce a specification of generic models of Learner Profiles, Learner Development processes and XML examples sufficient to support pilot projects in a second draft of the document.  Work Package 3 will support and learn from the pilots, publishing the document as UK Learner Profile version 1.2.1 (Specification of Transcript/EDS and PDR mapped to LIP). These work packages will therefore involve extensive consultation with stakeholders and help ensure that the developments pioneered by 01-01 are of generic value to the sector, beyond the specific needs of the projects.

Implications / Deliverables / Stakeholders

The findings of the Project will be cycled back to professional and technical communities via members of the Steering Committee, the LIPSIG Core/Professional and Technical Groups and the National Progress File Implementation Group.  They will also be disseminated more broadly to users via the Networks, such as SROC (the Student Records Officers Conference), affiliated to this work.  It will also support JISC directly in considering what additional support may be needed to enable effective cross-sectoral implementation.

Ultimately the poject addresses the key national need of Learner Profiling across sectors and environments as a core element in supporting the creation of the infrastructure that will support lifelong learning that is coherent, progressive and learner-centred.