OERu/Strategic plan 2014 - 2017/Strategic plan 2015 - 2017/Annual report 2014/Credit transfer and course articulation working group

Aims

 * To develop an implementation guidelines document to inform credit transfer and course articulation decisions for the OERu network drawing on the remix scenarios published in the Report on the Assessment and Accreditation of Learners using OER.
 * To implement an OERu Transnational Qualifications Framework modelled on the Transnational Qualifications Framework developed by the Commonwealth of Learning for mapping OERu courses according to level and type of qualification.
 * To establish foundations in the design of the OERu credit transfer and course articulation guidelines with future scalability in mind to enable the network to implement systems like the British Columbia Council on Admissions and Transfer (BCCAT).
 * To specify the minimum requirements related to credit transfer and course articulation for inclusion into the quality standards for an "OERu designated" course (for example, acceptable OERu standards for validating student identity and assessment design and practice).

Objectives

 * Develop a glossary of terms to support clear OERu communication across national boundaries.
 * Consultative development of OERu guidelines for credit transfer and course articulation.

Summary of main outputs

 * 1) Decided to start with survey of partner institutions currently offering and/or developing OERU courses; one institution assigned per working group member
 * 2) Four simple questions re: ability to transcript student outcomes
 * 3) * Is your OERu course being offered for credit at your own institution?
 * 4) * If yes, can you provide a transcript for students who are not enrolled in a credential program at your university?
 * 5) * Can you offer a summative assessment for students who do not register for the course with your institution?
 * 6) * If you can provide such a summative assessment, can you put it on a transcript for transfer to another institution?
 * 7) Obtained responses from Otago Polytechnic, Thompson Rivers University, Thomas Edison State College, Athabasca University, North West University and Institute of Technology Sligo. Still pending are responses from working group members assigned UNISA, Kwantlen Polytechnic, University of Southern Queensland.
 * 8) Results so far: several courses being offered for credit through partner universities, student can receive summative assessment and grade can be transcripted (for a fee) for students not enrolled in program at that institution (Otago, TRU, Thomas Edison, Athabasca).
 * 9) Have basis for model to recommend to CEO meeting.

Recommendations for 2015 and the future
Model OERu’s Credit Transfer and Course Articulation guidelines on those used by TRU, as the most flexible and comprehensive model available.