From informal competence to an University degree

1. From informal competence to an University degree Allan Dresling Denmark

2. Allan Dresling • DreslingConsult – Work with IT- tasks • Associatet professor at Aalborg University Denmark 1974 – 2003 in computer science • Have worked with development of new education/training courses 1974 -2003 • Part time professor at the University of the Faroe Islands 1988 - 2005

3. Allan Dresling • Chairman for the Nordic Forum for Computerbased Learning – NFDL • Chairman for the group for technical educations – The Danish Engineering Society - IDA

4. Contents 1 • 1 Studystructure for industrial training • 2 Studystructure for university educations • 3 The industrial demands • 4 The main problems • 5 Integration model 1 • 6 Integration model 2 – Open University • 7. Project-organized studies

5. Contents 2 • 8 Our experiences • 9 What can You do ? • 10 Discussion

6. Studystructure for industrial training - Basic course: 1 - 2 or 2.5 years duration Often inclusive work experiences • Supplementary training – often as in-service training Organized as modules

7. Studystructure for university education - Basic course - Bachelor degree – 3 year A mix of theoretical and hands-on topics • After that Master degree – 2 year A very theoretical study - Supplementary studies – Theoretically modules

8. The industrial demands • Very diffent from firm to firm • The demands are increasing • The industrial training degree is not longer enough

9. The main problems • The industrial students have not been through teoretical training • They feel great doubtfullness about how to integrate a theoretical view in their common practice • Many of them have no possibility to be unemployed for 1 year or more.

10. Integration model 1 • Industrial students with a degree – with some years work experiences – and with some supplementary modules follow a 1 year course together with university students. Common examination They achieve a bachelor degree

11. Integration model 2 - Open University • Students with the same background mentioned earlier follow a 2 years parttime distance study (20 hours work each week) • Examination as the full time students • Communication using the Internet e.g. using a conference system • Two days normal teaching each month (normal a Friday and the following Saturday)

12. Project-organized studies • A main key for success is to use a project-organized studyform • The students work in teams with projects half part of the time. A project have a duration of half a year • The students cooperate during the work with learning the theoretical subjects

13. Our experiences • We have very good experiences • If students leave the course it is not because the feel it is too difficult. It is normal a problem to have time enough • There are many employed with IT who will like to achieve a Bachelor degree and many firms support them in their studies

14. What can You do ? • It depends on your national study-structures and traditions • Are there demands for an ”integration” ? • Use the ”Open university model” • Be familar with the concept ”Project-organize studyform” • Cooperate with other universities with experiences in this field

15. Discussion • Free discussion • You are also welcome to contact me after the conference e-mail dresling@privat.dk