The credit matrix

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The Credit Matrix building bridges between
qualifications
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Why the Credit Matrix?

• Mature learning markets needs a credit system to
  recognise students achievements over time,
  across sectors and from different providers. The
  Credit Matrix is a system that allows this to
  occur, it aims to provide
• A student focus not a sector focus
• Better information for students and employers
• Better development of courses and articulated
  qualifications
• Better credit transfer

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International context

• OECD report Education and Training Policy
  Qualifications Systems Bridges to Lifelong
  Learning has identified 4 strong connectors
  between a qualifications system and lifelong
  learning
• Establishing a qualifications framework
• Optimising stakeholder involvement in
  qualification systems
• Providing credit transfer
• Recognising non-formal and informal learning
• Australia already has two connectors
• The Credit Matrix will enable the other two

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Credit Matrix basics
Points volume of learning
Level complexity of learning outcomes
Unit smallest part of a qualification

• Most senior secondary, VET units now have levels,
  points allocated by the VRQA (20,000units)

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Levels

• Describe the kinds of things learners would be
  able to do if they successfully achieve the
  outcomes of a unit at a specified level
• Indicate complexity of learning outcomes, from
  Enabling (lowest) to 8 (highest)
• Each level has
• a summary descriptor
• a detailed descriptor, based on knowledge and
  skills, application and degree of independence

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Points

• Points are awarded to a learner in recognition of
  the achievement of designated learning outcomes
  at a specified level.
• 1 point 10 hours of average designed learning
  time (international standard)
• Average of designed learning time includes
• attending lectures, tutorials, structured
  training sessions and doing online learning
• doing private study
• applying and refining the skills and knowledge
• doing revision, being assessed and receiving
  feedback
• Student effort (points) vs Teacher effort
  (nominal hours)

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Qualification profiling with levels, points
Example Advanced Diploma of Business (Operations
Management)
Profile
Unit levels points
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Example Qualification credit profile
Profile
Example Advanced Diploma of Business (Operations
Management)
Points at each level
3 4 5
6 Level
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Relationship between Credit Matrix, AQF
certificates
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Example Points, levels for an I.T. qualification
Points
Levels
Basis for credit transfer discussion
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Overseas credit-based systems
Note For volume, all systems use 1 point 10
hours average learning time
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More atwww.vrqa.vic.gov.au