Open

[GraphDesProject]

James,

This goes right back to my “big question” at the start of ocTEL. Yes, it’s great if a person has knowledge and skills from open learning but how do they show that to an employer? In my field, graphic design (and other creative areas) anyone can make a portfolio or show-reel and can be employed on the basis of that concrete practical work, rather than on qualifications. But how might this work if you are a historian or marine biologist? Until the world of work decides to “assess” people and their abilities in other ways aren’t we stuck with closed qualifications?

A second thought – and please don’t think I’m anti-Open; far from it – how do you make sure that a  learner, for example, has all the sufficent knowledge to carry out a profession? If they have cherry picked their way through Open learning might they be missing something crucial? I know from experience that our new f2f HE learners will deny certain “boring” parts of the topic but they can’t be really effective without these.

As I say, I’m totally in favour of open learning and certainly have done much of this myself throughout my life. I’d just like to get it straight in my mind how this impacts on reality. My open learning has always boosted my closed learning. Not sure how I’d navigate this field totally on my own.

What does anyone think?

Sancha (@GrapDesProject)

[James Kerr]

Sancha,

The challenge with open education and credentialing such as badging is that it puts the onus to the employers to determine and assess suitable knowledge levels.  Having a degree gives some level of assurance that the person has been educated and trained.  However, I don’t know of too many employers that don’t test knowledge in some fashion anyway, so “proving” one’s knowledge level to a potential employer would be an extension to practices already occurring.

I believe that is why the phrase “or an equivalent level of experience” is seen so frequently in employment postings.

[Jillian Pawlyn]

Hi James and Sancha,

The merits of the measurable outcome, the qualification validated by X, is still really powerful. I recently migrated to New Zealand and a friend here is a Barista, they got the job because they have a NZQA certificate which says they can make fantastic coffee!

I think the BIG challenge for open education is in the disciplines where you are professionally regulated and are measured against those standards (e.g. Nurses, Lawyers, Doctors) etc. Few applicants would be shortlisted for interview if they didn’t have the right certificate, regardless of their ‘online reputation’  and number of ‘badges’ contribution to the learning community.

From my experience  the ‘equivalent level of experience’ is only successful when there is high vacancy and low applicants for a position, the short list is easy. When there are multiple experienced applicants then the ‘certified evidence’ is often be the deciding factor for shortlisting.

 

[Author]

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