Several of my colleagues have started posting initial plans for their projects. It's been fascinating to read their various plans and ideas and think about how it all links to the final conference in February. It's also been interesting to see what online tools and networking sites the others use. I've been introduced to Diigo and set up an account there. I already had a SlideShare account but I've never used it. So this morning, I've created a presentation of my initial plans, uploaded it to SlideShare and here it is.
Project plan from Nicki Berry
What I would really like, is some feedback about how widely used RARPA is. It was new to me when I started working in Further Education last December and I'm interested to know which sectors use it. I would also like to know how understandable my plans are to non-specialists. Please leave comments (they'll be moderated to filter out any spam so they may not appear instantly).
I have previously worked in a college which included a Community Learning sector and and Adult Skills sector. Rarpa was a mystery to most people who dealt with accredited learning. However, it boils down to the same thing as accredited learning.
ReplyDeleteWith accredited learning there is a syllabus set be an Awarding Organisation. You initially assess the learners (are they suitable to undertake this programme of learning) you set a plan (this is how they are going to achieve this programme of learning). You check the plan (how are they doing). The ILP is not static is runs throughout the course (whether this is paper or electronic).
In community learning there is no set syllabus by external bodies. The college responds to the needs of the community. The principles are the same. What is the course hoping to achieve (the syllabus set by the tutors/college). You initially assess the learners (are they suitable to undertake this programme of learning, the syllabus may change at this point) you set a plan (this is how they are going to achieve this programme of learning). You check the plan (how are they doing). The ILP is not static is runs throughout the course.
Rarpa is just a term used to describe what should happen in every learning context. Accredited learning has Awarding organisations which won't credit qualifications until proof of the learning and assessment has taken place and funding is pinned on progression and achievement. This is why it tends to happen naturally.
Community learning has a different set of funding guidance (of which I know very little) and with no Awarding Organisations quality assuring a couple of times a year it is easy for Rarpa to loose its rigor and fall by the wayside. This is when it can sometimes become a bit of a mystery.
Community Learning funding is one lump sum, which is not dependent on the number of courses offered or the number of learners on courses. It can be used for 4 types of courses: introductory courses (that lead to an accredited course), tackling local issues (e.g. social exclusion), family learning, and raising achievement in English and maths. As you say, RARPA is part of the process that should be happening naturally in any learning context. What I would like to know though, is whether the terminology is used outside of Further Education.
ReplyDelete