Streamlining RPL processes: facilitating the award of credit for prior informal learning

The purpose of the [Quality Assurance Agency] QAA-funded project is to support the Scottish [Higher Education Institution] HEI [recognition of prior learning] RPL Network in the development of guidelines for the streamlining of RPL support and assessment for the HE sector. The Quality Assurance Agency, Scotland, commissioned the Centre for Research in Lifelong Learning to undertake the project between April and July 2011. The outcomes of the project will be discussed and considered by the Scottish HEI RPL Network at a workshop in October 2011 at which the scope and nature of the guidelines to be developed will be agreed. The project was undertaken in three phases. Phase one consisted of an online scoping study, which identified key features of RPL processes within the Scottish and UK sectors and beyond. This includes 56 examples of practice. Phase two involved a web-based survey of the Scottish RPL HEI Network and other UK and international networks in terms of scope and nature of RPL processes and ways in which practice could be streamlined/enhanced. The survey had a response rate of 33 per cent, with 55 responses from Scottish, UK, and international HEIs and other organisations. The final phase comprised follow up telephone interviews to explore particular examples of practice in more detail. Each phase explored the RPL process within a common framework: initial guidance; support processes/systems; assessment processes/systems and monitoring, evaluation and quality assurance. Analysis of the outcomes of each phase enabled the identification of recommendations for the key elements of the guidelines and a proposed typology. This report considers the findings and outcomes of each of these three phases. The issues to consider in developing effective, streamlined systems of RPL are discussed and current or proposed approaches to address these are outlined.

Excerpts from publication. Show less