ECTS –ECTS – FACILITATOR FACILITATOR OF CHANGESOF CHANGES

Algimantas TamelisAlgimantas Tamelis

Kaunas University of MedicineKaunas University of Medicine

ECTSECTS

Tool to describe studies:Tool to describe studies:• Curriculum Curriculum • Organisation and process Organisation and process • Students’ work (broad sense)Students’ work (broad sense)

Added ValuesAdded Values

Improved information and Improved information and transparencytransparency

Programme negotiationsProgramme negotiations RecognitionRecognition Access to programsAccess to programs Autonomy and responsibilityAutonomy and responsibility New opportunities for cooperationNew opportunities for cooperation

Main PointsMain Points

CreditsCredits GradesGrades Information Information

• Course catalogueCourse catalogue• Transcript of records Transcript of records

AgreementAgreement• To introduceTo introduce• Bilateral with partnersBilateral with partners• Learning with studentsLearning with students

CreditsCredits

Cornerstone of ECTSCornerstone of ECTS Measure of student workloadMeasure of student workload

• Full academic year – 60 ECTS creditsFull academic year – 60 ECTS credits• ProportionalProportional• Reflects all learning activitiesReflects all learning activities

Basis for transfer and accumulationBasis for transfer and accumulation Proper allocation – transparent Proper allocation – transparent

programprogram

Allocation Allocation oof Creditsf Credits

Shift from teacher to student point of Shift from teacher to student point of view view

Contact hours Contact hours Study hours Study hours

Teacher Student

ProblemsProblems

Within Within • Central administration of UniversityCentral administration of University• DepartmentDepartment

• Staff employmentStaff employment• SalarySalary

SolutionSolution

Contact hours Contact hours Study hours Study hours

Programme ChallengeProgramme Challenge

Allocation of creditsAllocation of credits• Standardized way to evaluate whole Standardized way to evaluate whole

programmeprogramme ConstructionConstruction ProcessProcess

• TransparencyTransparency• ComparisonComparison

Curriculum Curriculum PProblems at KMUroblems at KMU

Proportions between course units Proportions between course units (from student perspective)(from student perspective)

Overload with contact hoursOverload with contact hours Shortage of independent studiesShortage of independent studies Shortage of elective, free-choice Shortage of elective, free-choice

subjectssubjects

Reform of Reform of CCurriculumurriculum

Decision of Senate on 19th of Decision of Senate on 19th of February 1999 February 1999 “Renovation of undergraduate “Renovation of undergraduate studies during 1999 –studies during 1999 – 2005”.2005”.

Revision and Revision and CCorrection orrection

Study program “Medicine”Study program “Medicine” Diminished proportion of lectures Diminished proportion of lectures

(overall) – 20%(overall) – 20% Reduced number of course unitsReduced number of course units

• 62 subjects62 subjects Creation of study modules Creation of study modules

• Combines 3 – 5 parallel subject areas:Combines 3 – 5 parallel subject areas: Similar forms of the teaching and learning,Similar forms of the teaching and learning, Common final examinationCommon final examination

Revision and Revision and CCorrectionorrection

Changes Changes in in curriculum structurecurriculum structure• 52 compulsory courses52 compulsory courses• 10 elective courses – 57 credits (15,8%) 10 elective courses – 57 credits (15,8%)

CouldCould be chosen from the list of more than be chosen from the list of more than 60 subject60 subject

Number increase every yearNumber increase every year

GradingGrading

ECTS grades ECTS grades • Instrument to transfer student’s Instrument to transfer student’s

achievements from one institution to achievements from one institution to anotheranother

• Do not value particular student’s Do not value particular student’s knowledgeknowledge

• Based on rankingBased on ranking

Unconformity  Unconformity  

KMUKMU• 6 pass marks6 pass marks• No rankingNo ranking

ECTSECTS• 5 pass marks5 pass marks• RankingRanking

Implementation of ECTS Implementation of ECTS GGrading rading SSystemystem

Evaluation of distribution of gradesEvaluation of distribution of grades• Within facultiesWithin faculties• Within course unitsWithin course units

Equivalents were found and Equivalents were found and established established

Equivalents at KMUEquivalents at KMU

ECTS A B C DFundamental courses 10 9 8 7 6 5Clinical courses 10 9 8 7 6 5

E

Problems With GradingProblems With Grading

Only best gradesOnly best grades• Department of Orthopaedic surgeryDepartment of Orthopaedic surgery• Department Eyes diseasesDepartment Eyes diseases

Only poor grades Only poor grades • Department of ChemistryDepartment of Chemistry• Department of HistologyDepartment of Histology

Changes at KMUChanges at KMU

Revision of whole system of Revision of whole system of evaluationevaluation• Anonymous students surveyAnonymous students survey• Discussions at Deans officeDiscussions at Deans officess• Discussion at Rector BoardDiscussion at Rector Board

Changes at KMUChanges at KMU

Everyday check of students Everyday check of students knowledgeknowledge

Written examination Written examination Multiple choice testMultiple choice test

Cumulative systemCumulative system• 6060% of final grade – permanent % of final grade – permanent • 4040% of final grade – exam % of final grade – exam

ConclusionsConclusions

ECTS was designed to respect ECTS was designed to respect Institutional autonomyInstitutional autonomy

Implementation of ECTS Implementation of ECTS • Disclose existing imperfectionsDisclose existing imperfections• Initiate review for changesInitiate review for changes