Knowledge management within recognition and validation of non-formal and informal learning

Balković, Mislav. (2016). Knowledge management within recognition and validation of non-formal and informal learning. PhD Thesis. Filozofski fakultet u Zagrebu, Department of Information Science
Department of Information Science > Chair of social-humanistic informatics
Department of Information Science > Chair of knowledge organization.
(Poslijediplomski doktorski studij informacijskih i komunikacijskih znanosti) [mentor Šimović, Vladimir and Dželalija, Mile].

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Abstract

This doctoral thesis has been prepared within the process of National Qualifications System development in Republic of Croatia, where subsystem for validation of non-formal and informal learning has not been conceptualized or implemented. Accordingly to the Councils’ of European Union Recommendation (Council of the European Union, 2012), EU member states should by 2018 implement systems for validation of non-formal and informal learning using “equal value” between qualifications awarded as a result of formal programs and those awarded as a result of validation. Stated new theoretical concept introduced at the end of 2012 through Recommendation poses new regulatory requirement that should be taken into consideration in design and implementation of validation systems throughout Europe. Implementation of “equal value” concept together with the strict use of National Qualifications Frameworks and its Standards build foundation for recognition of Tacit knowledge of validation candidates and its transformation into explicit “knowledge particles” coded using hierarchical multidimensional coding system introduced through NQF and its domains (sector, volume, levels,…). Knowledge management model for support of validation, which is introduced through this dissertation, has been founded on design and pursuance of ten original scientific researches (six qualitative and four quantitative) which included more than 2000 relevant participants and key policy stakeholders within educational and labor market development contexts. As a result of stated research results, extensive scientific literature review as well as EU implementation recommendations and requirements, elements of knowledge management model has been designed, developed and proposed. They take into account link to external referent systems such as CRO QF register, future Human Resources register and future ESCO register. Elements of organizational and governance (internal and external) model of the system have been conceptualized, putting emphasize on questions and topics such as: learning assessment, staffing requirements and use of learning outcomes and assessments standards defined within CRO QF. As a support subsystem to the knowledge management model of validation, model of IT system have been also developed and proposed. Its data model is fully coherent with informational requirements originating from validation elements, while it also uses adequate coding systems (current and future) as a foundation for interconnection to other relevant national systems. Furthermore, part of the data and information acquired within the validation process are envisaged to populate future basic register of validation results, holding certified “knowledge particles” of each individual, as part of their full or partial qualifications and as a support to their career development. Proposed IT solution has been designed and modeled to be fully open to third party solutions that might be developed by validation providers in the future.

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