Aquaculture, Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management Thematic Network in Education & Training

WP3: Transparency in Teaching and Education - TUNING approach

 

Coordinators:

Gavin Burnell  – University College Cork, Ireland &
Margaret Eleftheriou - AMC, Ireland


Tuning Educational structures in Europe

AQUA-TNET is involved in the TUNING project 

The name Tuning was chosen for the project to reflect the idea that universities do not look for uniformity in their degree programmes or any sort of unified, prescriptive or definitive European curricula but simply for points of reference, convergence and common understanding. The protection of the rich diversity of European education has been paramount in the Tuning Project from the very start and the project in no way seeks to restrict the independece of academic and subject specialists, or undermine local and national academic authority

  
General brochure: http://tuning.unideusto.org/tuningeu/images/stories/template/General_Brochure_final_version.pdf  

 

FINAL OUTPUTS

3.1    - Production of digest of TUNING projects and methodology (Explaining TUNING)

Launched in 2000 by the EUA and supported by the EU, TUNING is a universities’ driven project which offers a universal approach to implement the Bologna process at the level of higher education institutions and subject areas. The Tuning approach consists of a methodology to design, develop implement and evaluate study programmes for each of the Bologna cycles. AQUA-TNET produced a digest of TUNING projects and methodology, that can be accessed HERE.

 

3.2    - Review of Phase 1 Data Compilation

The (draft) Review of phase 1 Data compilation is finalised in 3.13 - Report of Survey results. Please CLICK HERE for the report.

 

3.3    - Report on Meeting (core group meeting Bergen, September 2006)

Workpackage 3 came together with WP1 in Bergen, Norway (September 2006), for their core group meetings and a joint workshop - Internationalising Aquaculture and Fisheries Degree Programs in Europe: Practical solutions to enhance collaboration.

Please CLICK HERE for the minutes of the meeting

 

3.4    - Online version of meeting published on AQUA-TNET portal

Please CLICK HERE for all the presentations and minutes of the core group meetings in Bergen, September 2006.

 

3.5    - Resume of Review of WAVE Master competencies List

WAVE - Working in Aquaculture-Validation of Experience - identified and recognised the skills and knowledge needed for work in the European Aquaculture sector (primary production only) using a competency based approach. The WAVE Master Competencies List is an inventory and database of technical competences incorporating variations in work practices and variations according to species, types of farms and farming methods across Europe.

Please CLICK HERE for the Review of the WAVE project and Master competencies List

 

3.6    - Draft Database of Academic learning outcomes

Learning Outcomes - statements of what a learner knows, understands and is able to do on completion of a learning process - occupy a central position in the Bologna reforms. However, the whole Learning Outcomes approach has turned out to be extremely complex as shown in several reports from Bologna and Council of Europe seminars; "such a complex and multi-disciplinary reform cannot be easily or rapidly achieved" (Glasgow, Feb. 2008). Furthermore, the Trends V Report showed a wide difference between the theoretical and the practical application of ECTS and Learning Outcomes (Council of Europe Oct 2007). The WP3 coordinator felt that it was inappropriate to push ahead on a complex issue which was causing concern at the highest level. AQUA-TNET members are moving ahead, but on a voluntary basis as recommended in the above reports. The developments should become clearer after the stated 2010 deadline.

 

3.7    - Survey of all partner university ECTS credits for network courses

Work Package 3 developed a survey, distributed to all AQUA-TNET higher education institutions, that included specific questions regarding ECTS credits. Partners were asked to answer questions such as: -    Are course modules at your institution described in terms of ECTS credits?
-    If yes, how many ECTS credits are required in order to complete the course? Indicate the number of total ECTS credits
-    How are the course modules assessed, or how are the course credits gained?

Please CLICK HERE for the survey on ECTS as used by AQUA-TNET partners

 

3.8    - Results of survey online in a database

The survey of all partner university ECTS credits for network courses, lead to the database that is available on the AQUA-TNET webportal - http://www.aquatnet.com/index.php/19/institution-search/ – that can be accessed per partner university.

 

3.9    - Report on feedback from 1st Vertical Workshop

As the Annual Event in year 1 had been cancelled as a result of the budget cut, this deliverable could not be produced.

 

3.10    - Report Core Group Meeting (Annual Event 2007, Crete)

The Annual Event 2007 was a two-day event involving workshops and presentations of all 9 Work Packages, plenary meetings, and stakeholder (representatives, research organisations, NGOs, SMEs, students, wider public) presentations on perceived needs from training providers, followed by discussions. Vertical work package workshops were held with multi-stakeholder involvement to ensure implementation of the vertical objectives. Decision makers had the opportunity to express industry practices and needs to the academic community, yielding business-driven solutions.

Work Package 3 held a core group meeting, discussing “Tuning an academic programme - from competencies to curricula”. Please CLICK HERE for the workshop report.

 

3.11    - Online Version of meeting

At the Annual Event 2007 in Crete, WP3 held a session on “Tuning an academic programme - from competencies to curricula”. Please CLICK HERE to go to all the information related to the Annual Event, including minutes and presentations.

 

3.12    Workshop Report: Report on impact of current EC reforms at grass roots level

The Bologna Declaration in 1999 initiated the widest-reaching reforms to European higher education in decades, leading to a new organization of university studies for all participating European Universities, allowing the creation of transnational multidisciplinary programmes with opportunities to deepen related topics and giving students a greater say and involvement in higher education social issues. Please CLICK HERE for the AQUA-TNET Report on impact of current EC reforms at grass roots level.

 

3.13    Report of Survey Results

Please CLICK HERE for the report of the Questionnaire Results

 

3.14    - HELP package for partners unfamiliar with learning Outcome approach

The Learning Outcome approach has become a vast and complex area, all the more so because it seems to have become an obligatory buzzword in curricular circles. This very easy readable and interesting HELP package gives background information, recommends interesting reading material and updates the reader on the latest developments on Learning Outcomes at European level.

 

3.15    - Updated course info in online database

AQUA-TNET partners are invited to update information on their courses on a regular basis, directly online. This online information is accessible for anyone seeking information on courses available in the AQUA-TNET domain: http://www.aquatnet.com/index.php/20/search-courses/

 

3.16    - 1st draft Academic Competency List

Due to the slow rate of progress on the Learning Outcomes issue at European level, and also to the fact that there are now differing definitions of "competencies" (Launch of EQF (Brussels, June 2008)) an Academic Competency List cannot be created at this stage.

 

3.17    - Selection of suitable course for application of TUNING methodology

It was decided in view of the nature of the TUNING template, that is was inappropriate to single out one specific course for treatment in this way. Several appropriate courses have been described and may be found in the TUNING template sent to the TUNING counsellors. See deliverable 3.28

 

3.18    - Initial suggestions circulated to university partners for debate

Prior to the Annual Event 2008 in Krakow the first draft of the TUNING template has been circulated to AQUA-TNET University partners.

3.19    - 1st draft list, to be circulated to all partner universities and all stakeholders, for consultation

At the Annual Event 2008 in Krakow the first draft of the TUNING template was presented to the whole AQUA-TNET network. Each part of the AQUACULTURE template was presented in detail to the participants, specifically requesting amendments of modifications to the text. Please CLICK HERE for the minutes of the meeting, including notes on the consultation

 

3.20    - Assessment of quality control procedures throughout Europe

Due to inconsistent and uneven national development and not uniform understanding of outcomes-based qualifications (Council of Europe Forum on Qualifications Frameworks Strasbourg Oct 2007), an “Assessment of quality control procedures throughout Europe” could not be performed at this stage.

 

3.21    - Preparation of 2nd draft of European Common Reference Points

This will be completed in AQUA-TNET2008-11. 

 

3.22    - Joint Workshop Report (Annual Event 2008, Krakow)

At the Annual Event 2008 in Krakow each Work Package presented the highlights from their activities over the past three years, which showed how much the network has achieved during that time. Please CLICK HERE to go to all the information related to the Annual Event 2008, including reports (minutes).

 

3.23    - Core Work Group Report (Annual Event 2008, Krakow)

At the Annual Event 2008 in Krakow, Work Package 3 presented the highlights from its activities over the past three years, as well as discussed the TUNING template. Please CLICK HERE for the WP3 meeting report.

 

3.24    - Formal Meeting with TUNING Counsellor

Nikos Papadakis, a TUNING representative from the University of Crete, made a TUNING presentation at the AQUA-TNET Annual Event in Crete and met and discussed with the WP3 core group.

Please CLICK HERE for the TUNING presentation, and CLICK HERE for the WP3 minutes containing the TUNING discussion.

 

3.25    - Formal Decision

The AQUA-TNET network is waiting for the formal decision from the TUNING counsellors who were sent the TUNING template for Aquaculture on 19th December 2008. 

 

3.26    1st Draft European Qualifications Framework

The European Qualifications Framework was launched on 5-6th June 2008. All information may be found on the website: http://ec.europa.eu/education/lifelong-learning-policy/doc44_en.htm. It is clear that AQUA-TNET’s remit cannot create or even contribute per se to the EQF as this is a governmental matter.

 

3.27    - 1st draft Pan-European questionnaire complying with TUNING requirements

Draft list will not be compiled at this juncture, but can be carried out under the auspices of the VALLA project (2007/10342/TRAESF/IE/EACEA): www.vallaproject.com

 

3.28    - Final TUNING documentation

Please CLICK HERE for the final TUNING template for AQUACULTURE, as it has been sent to the TUNING project.

 

3.29    - 2nd Draft European Qualifications Framework

As stated above (3.26), the European Qualifications Framework was launched on 5-6th June 2008. All information may be found on the website: http://ec.europa.eu/education/lifelong-learning-policy/doc44_en.htm. It is clear that AQUA-TNET’s remit cannot create or even contribute per se to the EQF as this is a governmental matter.

 

3.30    - Final presentation of WP results to TUNING Counsellor at special meeting

The final TUNING template for AQUACULTURE has been sent to the TUNING counsellors. It is expected to get feedback and present the final results during AQUA-TNET2.