Vytautas Magnus University

VMPASS

Implementing Recognition of Virtual Mobility and OER Learning through a Learning Passport

  • Number of the Project: 540476-LLP-1-2013-1-UK-ERASMUS-EQMC
  • Duration of the project: 1/10/2013 – 15/01/2016
  • Budget: 1.843.315.26 Litas
  • Main executor: University of Leicester
  • Institution at VMU: Innovative Studies Institute
  • Responsible person (s) at VMU: Eglė Stonkutė

Aim of the project

Implementing Recognition of Virtual Mobility and OER Learning through a Learning Passport.

Actors involved

European Federation for Quality in e-Learning (EFQEL) (Belgium), University of Leicester (United Kingdom), Universidad Internacional de La Rioja, S.A. (Spain), Vytauto Didžiojo Universitetas (Lithuania), Baden-Wurttemberg Cooperative State University (Germany), European Distance and E-Learning Network (United Kingdom),   Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KU Leuven) (Belgium), MENON Network EEIG (Belgium).

Short description of the project

Despite the rise of Virtual Mobility and OCW (Open CourseWare)-based opportunities for learning at institutions, around Europe – recognition remains uneven, and serves as a major barrier to uptake of these flexible forms of learning. In the past year, both UNESCO and the European Commission have called for this problem to be addressed through improved recognition tools. Thus, VM-Pass will aim to increase inter-institutional recognition of virtual mobility and ocw-based courses, by:

  1. Building on results from OER test project and piloting the use of a student-held learning passport to facilitate recognition & mobility;
  2. Planning, testing and creating a recognition-clearinghouse to support the verification and investigation of learning passports;
  3. Creating a typology of quality systems used in vm and oer systems, to support the learning passports and recognition-clearinghouse;
  4. Engaging in dialogue with multiple institutions around Europe so as to mainstream use of the recognition tools created by the project.

These activities together will provide recognition offices a tool which will reduce the bureaucracy involved in recognition processes, allow them to share experiences with peers and compare their recognition decisions’ with other institutions – thus promoting harmonisation of recognition. All of this together, should make it easier for students to have their VM learning recognised, and thus increase the volume of students taking advantage of this flexible learning pathway, without increasing the administrative burden on their home institutions.