BellTime Magazine BellTime 11-5 | Page 18

BellTIME Supported by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union The Commission along with Europass Advisory Group propose to include the following technologies within the New Europass: > Digital Diplomas – replacing the traditional paper diploma, these take various forms. They offer solutions to some of the inherent issues that exist with paper documentation, including sharing of information, fraud and recognition. > Digital Badges – a validated digital indicator of accomplishment, or skill earned and issued in various learning environments and easily shared. They are an increasingly popular way of recording nonformal and informal learning. Their proliferation is facilitated by the gamification of learning. > Blockchain Credentialing – similar to bitcoin and cryptocurrencies, Blockchain credentials allow education providers to issue official certificates that the recipient can hold and share themselves, and supply proof of completion, thereby tackling the issue of educational fraud. Guidance Provision The new Europass will also provide available information or links to available information on a) learning opportunities; b) qualifications and qualifications frameworks or systems; c) opportunities for validation of non-formal and informal learning; d) recognition practices and relevant legislation in different countries, including third countries; e) services offering guidance for transnational learning mobility and career management; f) skills intelligence as produced by relevant Union-level activities and agencies within their domains of competence. The Road Less Travelled If someone had told 18-year-old Olivia that come September 2017 she would be beginning a degree in Education and Training in Dublin City University, as a mature student, she would have laughed and told them that is a crazy idea. However, here I am in 2019 entering semester two of my second year. I have been on one hell of a journey, spanning over three different counties in Ireland and countless student I.D cards to show for it. Leaving secondary school, the plan had always been to go into teaching or the sports industry. So, by combining both my interests, I decided teaching Physical Education was my end goal. I loved P.E in school, and it was something I was really good at. I was never the academic type, having dyslexia made school work that bit more difficult for me. As a result, I knew the odds of me achieving the required CAO points to study Physical Education was near impossible. With that in mind, I decided the best option for me was to enrol on a Post Leaving Certificate course (PLC). I chose to study a QQI Level 5 award in Health Science (Physiology and Sport) BellTIME at Coláiste Dhúlaigh College of Further Education. I absolutely loved my time in Colaiste Dhulaigh and look back at it very fondly. One of the main reasons I loved studying there was the opportunity to complete continuous assessments, which I found really suited to my learning style, and that my performance wasn’t determined by a few terminal exams. The year flew and before I knew it, I had to begin looking at what path I would take next. I felt ready to take the next step along the QQI framework, and if I obtained a full award in the course, I could progress to Institutes of Technology Euroguidance Services across the EU provide information on learning opportunities and provide information and training on mobility for guidance practitioners. The Europass Advisory Group will also consider the implications for the role of Euroguidance as part of the new Europass. Updates will be provided and the QQI and NCGE representatives welcome feedback on this development. More information on the new Europass is available at: https://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=1266&langId=en If you have specific feedback please contact us at [email protected] or [email protected] 34 35