The Korean Approach to Validation for Lifelong Learning

Kim ShinilBaekseok University, Korea

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Higher Education in Ko-rea

Population 48 million (North Korea, 25mil.)

Institutions 432 (Univ. 189, more than 2/3 is private).

Students 3,728,802 (Univ. 2,108,958), mostly young and full time.

Students bear major part of the ex-penses.

Enrolment rate 76%

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- Tertiary Education attainment (35-64 age group) is 26%.- High aspi-ration for BA degree in learning society.

- HEI is al-ready packed with young stu-dents. - Korea has to deal with the situa-tion with bold mea-sures.

Higher Education in learning society

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VPL in the situation

Lifelong Learning

VPL

HEI

School-ing So-ciety

VPL

Learning Society

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European vs. Korean

Utilizing VPL within Higher Education Context

Korea: Providing di-rect opportunity to obtain college de-

gree

European countries: Assisting admission to

HEI

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Early VPL Policy in Korea

Bachelor’s Degree Examination for Self-Education (BDES)Since 1990 BA degree through examination

only Academic Credit Bank System (ACBS)

Since 1998 Obtaining Associate’s or BA degree

through validation of non-formal learning

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Early VPL Policy in Korea

BDES and ACBS awarding higher education degrees

to non-students who are recognized as reaching the same level of learn-ing with university students.

Degree awarding approach to VPL/RPLReflecting cultural and historical

background of Korea

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Old Korean Education System

Lasted more than 10centuries Public school system from the 7th century

basic schools middle schools higher education(the Royal College)

SchoolsNational Examina-

tion

Old Ko-rean Edu-

cation System

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National Examina-tion

Since the year of 958. Instrument of qualification for social status

and selecting government officials. 3 courses of Examination

Civil exam, Military exam, and Specialist exam. Civil exam

The most prestigious one 3 stages: lower, upper, and the highest.

Specialist exam medicine, foreign languages, accounting, as-

tronomy.

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National Examina-tion

Who applied : From the teens to the fifties.

Stages of examination in part connected with public school levels. However, more than half of all applicants dur-

ing the Choseon dynasty (1392-1910) took the highest examination without attending the royal college.

Most of them from high class family Preparing the examination with personal tutor

or at the private tutoring classes.

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National Examina-tion

Two characteristics National examination in old Korea was

open not only to the graduates of school but also to people without or unfinished schooling.

Examination functioned as a validation of learning experiences outside of school and university system.

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Modernization

Old Education System Discontinued at the end of 19th century

Modern Education System schooling-oriented developed in Europe

However, the alternative track through examinations has not disap-peared until today.

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BDES

Bachelor’s Degree Examination for Self-Education

Since 1990 as an alternative track Four stages of qualifying examination

general education major basic major advanced comprehensive.

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BDES

Exemption of examinationFor who learners who already

achieved a certain number of cred-its from university or had certifi-cates of concerned area.

About 14,000 persons have been awarded bachelor degree since 1990.

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ACBS

Proposed as one of the President Commis-sion of Education Reform measures in 1996

Recognition of learning at non-formal edu-cation programs for the higher education degree

In 2013, about 50,000 learners are granted Associate’s or BA degree for 109 study ar-eas

About 70% of the registered learners are 30 years or older.

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ACBS

Validation of learning during the military service Mandatory military service of young men for about

two years An agreement between Ministers of the Education

and the Defense in 2007. Recognition of learning from trainings and educa-

tions during the military service as credits Utilizing credits toward the higher education degree

through the academic credit bank system, or for vo-cational qualifications and licenses.

About 310,000 soldiers obtained credits during the years of 2007~2012.

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ACBS

Validation of learning from the National In-tangible Cultural Assets Vanishing traditional arts and crafts in Korea hardly respected by universities Successors of the cultural assets Validation toward the degree activated learning

of the vanishing skills Validation is an powerful instrument for reviv-

ing learning of a neglected culture. ACBS explores new study areas that are not

properly recognized

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New Developments

Validation of Workplace learning are expanded through revision of laws Annually 80 marine engineers obtained

certificate by the recognition of field ex-periences after revision of the act of ma-rine industry manpower in 2008.

The revised Qualification Act expanded coverage of validation of vocational skill learning at work.

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Lifelong Learning-oriented University Project Provide more programs for adult learn-

ers Transform themselves into the lifelong

learner- friendly institutesadmission criteria and processreorganization of department/facultycurriculum and instructional methodsintroducing new concept of teaching

staffvalidation of prior learning

New Developments

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Lifelong Learning Account System (LLAS) Overarching management system of lifelong

learning society Accumulation, assessment, validation and

recognition of each individual’s all kinds of learning

Recommended by the President Commission of Education Reform in 1995

Since 2010, about 5,000 learners are regis-tered

New Developments

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Challenges and Tasks

Professionals for non-formal and infor-mal learning – ‘Lifelong Education Spe-cialist’

RVA as essential bridge connecting learning and working

Diversification of learning for higher education

From education to learning

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Thank you