Using SCQF in community based learning'

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Using SCQF in community based learning.

• Pilot the use of the SCQF to support progression
  and transition for adult learners across a range
  of community settings.

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Update on publications

• Achievement Counts students guide to SCQF
• Scotlands Framework for Lifelong Learning a
  guide for learners, providers and employers
• SCQF update issue 9 Youth Achievement Awards

3
Challenges..

• How do we use SCQF in community based informal
  learning?
• How can SCQF be used to support Recognition of
  Prior Learning?
• How can SCQF support course design in CLD?
• What happens if formal assessment methods are
  introduced?
• Can the SCQF support progression from community
  learning?
• Can we use SCQF to benchmark learning to
  support advice and guidance?

4
What we have done so far!

• Get SetGo!
• Pre-access course developed in partnership
• SCQF descriptors used to standardise content
• SCQF used to attribute level and credit points

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What does it include?

• Practical sport
• Volunteering and educational pathways
• Adventure experience
• Sports Science
• Fitness Assessments
• Practical, skiing, Kayaking, High Ropes
• 10 week course - 4 hour sessions each week

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How we credit rated a Pre-Access course..

• Course content, learning outcomes and assessments
  developed and agreed by partners
• SCQF level descriptors used to identify level and
  credit points
• Programme submitted to college credit rating
  panel
• Awarded SCQF level 3 with 2 Credit points
• Programme delivered to learners and assessments
  carried out

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What we hoped would happen!

• Learners on Get Set..Go! would be empowered by
  knowing what level they operated at during the
  course
• Motivate them to move on and progress
• Able to compare their achievement on the SCQF to
  other Scottish qualifications
• Helped them explain to employers what they have
  done!
• Pre-Access course is currently running again and
  has recruited 10 students
• Students progressing onto the NC in Sports

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Benefits of using SCQF with Pre-Access programmes

• Collaborative approach to develop structured
  courses
• Clarity of outcomes for learners and tutors
• Clearly defined pathways to further learning
• Clear assessment methodology
• Can be used again and delivered to new groups of
  learners
• Supports progression onto further learning
• Shows where the learning sits within a national
  framework

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Using SCQF to benchmark community based adult
programmes

• Benchmarking provides an indication of where the
  learning sits within a national framework
• Avoids formal assessment which can create
  additional barriers for disengaged learners
• Can provide opportunities for RPL
• Staff develop a better understanding of the
  framework and can provide guidance and support
  for learners

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Living Working in Angus

• This course is designed to enable Eastern
  European and other international workers and
  their families gain an understanding of living
  and working in Angus to participate more fully in
  their communities.

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Background

• Large number of Eastern European workers in the
  local area
• Course developed in conjunction with ESOL
  programmes
• Individual requests for support on issues such as
  housing, law, health, employment and education
• Isolated pockets of workers
• Needed to build community capacity as well as
  offering relevant programmes, linked to ESOL, and
  within a national framework

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Living Working in Angus

• Unit 1 Exploring Scottish Culture
• Unit 2 Understanding Employment
• Unit 3 Health Services
• Unit 4 The Law in Scotland
• Unit 5 Leisure and Transport
• Unit 6 Political Systems
• Unit 7 Other Services
• This course has been benchmarked at SCQF level 4

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Its Time For You

• This course will help the individual look at
  where they are now and support them in making
  decisions for the future.
• Looking at individual family circumstances and
  identify where changes can be made to make room
  for achieving new goals.

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Course content

• Unit 1 The 24/7 Family
• Unit 2 What Makes Good Relationships
• Unit 3 Making the Most of your Money
• Unit 4 The 15 Minute Meal
• Unit 5 YOU
• (This course has been benchmarked at SCQF Level 4
  )

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Planning Organising a Walking Group

• This course is designed to enable individuals
  gain an understanding of the issues surrounding
  the organisation of a walking group and encourage
  them to participate fully in existing groups or
  develop their own.

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Course content

• Unit 1 Navigation
• Unit 2 Natural History Geology
• Unit 3 Access to Funding
• Unit 4 Protecting Yourself
• Unit 5 Emergency Procedures
• Unit 6 First Aid
• Unit 7 Leadership and Team Dynamics
• Unit 8 Networking regionally and nationally
• Currently being benchmarked at SCQF level 5

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Community Activist Course

• Unit 1 How to get involved in your community.
• Unit 2 Learning about your community.
• Unit 3 Getting organised.
• Unit 4 Making change happen.

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Community Activist Course

• Will be credit rated and levelled through SQA
  (provisional 24 Credits at SCQF level 5)
• Joint partnership working
• Available nationally
• Standardised content and assessment
• Can be used as RPL tool

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Using SCQF with Literacy provision

• Advice and guidance for learners?
• Guidance for tutors?
• Offering benchmarking of prior work?
• Using SCQF level descriptors to advise learners
  on the level that they are working at?
• Supporting progression onto SQA Core Skills if
  appropriate..

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How do we take this forward?

• How can we use the SCQF to engage with community
  based learners?
• What information would we need?
• How can SCQF support the advice and guidance we
  give to learners?
• How do we know what level our learners are at
  when they arrive?
• How do we know what level they are when they
  are ready to move on?