scholarly journals Humboldt Meets Bologna: Developments and Debates in Institutional Writing Support in Germany

Author(s):  
Felicitas Macgilchrist ◽  
Katrin Girgensohn

This article outlines the coming of age of writing pedagogy in German institutions of higher education and explores the role of the ‘Hausarbeit’ in contemporary universities. Traditionally, the 6,000-12,000 word Hausarbeit was the mainstay of academic writing in all university courses in the social sciences and humanities in Germany. This assignment was tied into dominant discourse (‘Humboldt discourse’) in which the main point of higher education was to cultivate future independent scholars. Since 1999, the increasing predominance of ‘Bologna discourse’ has led to the radical restructuring of higher education across Europe. This discourse emphasizes internationalization, transferable skills and key competencies, i.e. the point of higher education is not primarily to cultivate independent scholars but flexible, creative and enterprising future professionals. With indications that the Hausarbeit could disappear in the Bologna process, we argue not only that it can be saved but also that it has a significant role to play in developing the new competencies. This will only happen, however, if students receive institutional writing support, and if writing curricula in Germany rise to the new challenges.Key words: writing centres, discourse, Bologna reforms, writing pedagogy, Hausarbeit

2013 ◽  
Vol 63 ◽  
pp. 65-81
Author(s):  
Marija Stonkienė

Straipsnyje analizuojami kuriant Europos aukštojo mokslo erdvę keliamo strateginio tikslo – užtikrinti aukštojo mokslo socialinio matmens plėtotę – informaciniai aspektai. Informacinių socialinio aukštojo mokslo matmens aspektų svarbą pabrėžia tai, kad ES švietimo ir mokslo politika grindžiama atvirojo koordinavimo metodu. Informaciniai socialinio aukštojo mokslo matmens aspektai analizuojami atliekant ES politinių strateginių dokumentų, Bolonijos proceso dokumentų ir Bolonijos proceso pažangos ataskaitų duomenų tyrimą. Analizė parodė, kad vis daugiau dėmesio skiriama informaciniams socialinioaukštojo mokslo matmens aspektams, nepakanka informacijos apie socialinį aukštojo mokslo matmenį, stinga nacionalinių duomenų, kyla nepalyginamumo problemų. Analizuojant Bolonijos proceso ataskaitas pastebėta besiplečianti informacinė socialinio aukštojo mokslo matmens aprėptis.Reikšminiai žodžiai: Europos aukštojo mokslo erdvė, Bolonijos procesas, socialinis aukštojo mokslo matmuo, socialinio aukštojo mokslo Europos aukštojo mokslo erdvėje matmens standartai, socialinio aukštojo mokslo Europos aukštojo mokslo erdvėje matmens rodikliai, socialinio aukštojo mokslo Europosaukštojo mokslo erdvėje matmens rodiklių duomenys.Information aspects of the social dimension of higher education in the European higher education areaMarija Stonkienė Summary This paper deals with the informational aspects of ensuring the social development of higher educa­tion – the strategic objective in creating the Euro­pean higher education area. The importance of the informational aspects of social dimension in higher education is indicated by the fact that the EU educa­tion and training policy is based on the open method of coordination. Informational aspects of the social dimension of higher education are examined by performing an analysis of the EU documents on policy strategy, the Bologna Process documents, and the Bologna pro­cess progress report. The investigation has revealed a growing emphasis on the informational aspects of the social dimension of higher education, which is caused by the lack of respective information, the shortage of national data and non-comparability problems. In the analysis of the Bologna process report, the paper notes an expanding reach of the informational aspects of the social dimension of higher education.


TEME ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 043
Author(s):  
Jelena Gajic ◽  
Marina Savkovic ◽  
Dušan Borovčanin

Almost two decades after the implementation of the Bologna Process in higher education around the world, the question of the applicability, justification and effectiveness of reforms implemented globally arises. The aim of this paper is to explore the attitudes, optimism versus pessimism, more precisely student representatives’"mood" regarding the implementation of the Bologna Process and Bologna tools. The overall sample consists of student representatives from 17 European Higher Education Area countries. The results of the research should be a step towards further higher education reforms, or, more precisely, a proposal to modify the existing plans, bearing in mind the different conditions and characteristics of the countries where they are implemented and their willingness to accept the reforms. The results indicate that mobility, diploma supplements and quality assurance are the most positive aspects of BP and employability, the social dimension and the financing model of higher education are weak points of BP.


Author(s):  
Paula M. Castro ◽  
Francisco Laport ◽  
Adriana Dapena ◽  
Francisco J. Vazquez-Araujo

During years, professors of higher education focused on the outcome of the assimilation of information through learning (i.e., in the acquisition of knowledge).  In a European context, the Bologna Process has accelerated and spread the process of defining explicit learning outcomes for higher education programs, including those in terms of general competences and transferable skills. Our teaching experience in engineering degrees have shown that these students have difficulties for understanding the math basics of some disciplines. For greater effectiveness in knowledge acquisition, we consider as an essential issue the inclusion of laboratory activities based on computer simulations performed using software. For acquiring those general competences and transferable skills, our proposal also includes several projects in which our students must develop skills such as communication, teamwork or problem solving. We have observed that such projects allow students the development of their creativity, an improvement in oral and written communication, and also an optimal training for the B.S. degree project work and even for their future professional life.


2020 ◽  
pp. 99-120
Author(s):  
Jakub Brdulak ◽  
Jacek Lewicki ◽  
Jan Beseda ◽  
Ida Kristina Kühn ◽  
Lisa Meyne ◽  
...  

The Bologna Process indicates that preparation for living as active citizens in a democratic society is one of the main purposes of higher education. Moreover, other relevant European strategies postulate that social competences development in HE graduates as well as the European Qualifications Framework should comprise the pillar of 'competences: autonomy and responsibility'. The United Nations and OECD emphasise the role of education and developing social competences, too.Higher Education Institutions' (HEIs) educational mission involves the transfer of knowledge and skills, as well as shaping the social competences of students. This article aims to show good practices in the development of students' social competences by different HEIs. Based on the cases the findings were formulated that the development and assessment of social competences in HEIs is possible, however, one standardised solution cannot be developed. Diversity is crucial in the presented programmes. Our main recommendation is to create room for debates about social competences in the researched countries and in the whole EHEA.


Author(s):  
Linda Grandsjö ◽  
Ann-Sofie Zettergren

Our aim is to highlight and exemplify the value of collaboration across professional borders concerning information literacy and academic writing. We believe that by supporting our students in their development of information literacy, we also contribute to a deeper subject learning. There is no conflict between the two, an integration of IL benefits both areas and above all, the students' learning. Collaboration between faculty teachers and liaison librarians enable a learning environment that can take advantage of the interaction between the use of generic skills and subject skills. There is also the importance of constructive alignment within in the syllabus, which the Social Science Faculty at Lund University has been working on since the Bologna Process. When learning outcomes on information literacy where added to the syllabi at courses at the faculty in autumn 2007, a platform for collaboration between teachers and librarians was staged. In this presentation we would like to highlight two examples of information literacy sessions for students, both developed in cooperation with teachers and both designed to meet a special need in the course at present. Example 1 On a second term course in political science the teacher noticed problems with the quality of the assignments handed in concerning the use of scholarly articles. Through collaboration and dialogue the IL class was integrated as a natural part within the subject course. A cross-fertilization came to be in working integrated with the assignment in IL class, through searching and critically evaluating sources subject learning was also boosted and the other way around. The assignments improved and motivation was raised. Example 2 First term students at a course in sociology were to write a paper as a part of their examination. The main problem for several students was addressed as plagiarism including several variables: lack of knowledge, progression and information. The aim was to demystify academic writing and make it as transparent as possible. The solution was to take off in the texts and the writing process together with the students, and to use the different competences from teacher and librarian. Through cross professional collaboration, multiple aspects of academic writing originating from the diverse competences were clarified and addressed the topic from different angles. Results of collaboration The quality of the assignments increased The questions asked by the students where more focused and better addressed Increased motivation to attend IL class with subject relevant context and clear connection to the examination (constructive alignment) Deepened subject learning within the active search process The information literacy sessions as an integrated part of the ordinary schedule Decoding of the academic thought-search-writing process


Author(s):  
David Crosier ◽  
Cezar Mihai Haj

Abstract The social dimension is a term coined in the early years of the Bologna Process (BP). Although mentioned in the early ministerial communiqué texts, the term itself was not clearly defined until 2007. Looking back, this could perhaps be considered an oversight. However, the more likely explanation is that the term was chosen intentionally, leaving open possibilities for national and institutional action while, at the same time, committing countries to nothing precise.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (11) ◽  
pp. 31
Author(s):  
Dimitrios Skiadas ◽  
Sofia Boutsiouki ◽  
Vasileios Koniaris ◽  
Konstantinos Zafiropoulos ◽  
Marianthi Karatsiori

The aim of establishing the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) marked the development of the Bologna process since its beginning, while it exercised a decisive influence on the content of the higher education policy initiatives undertaken over the years. One of the most important goals of the relevant policy making was to bridge the university-to-labour market gap and to improve the employability of graduates. Such aims require a consistent and multidimensional cooperation between higher education institutions and the social partners, mainly employers, from which significant benefits may derive for all parties involved. As a result, many types of work based learning have been promoted in higher education with the most prominent of them being the student work experience programmes organised by universities in collaboration with enterprises. The paper analyses the guidelines provided by the EHEA framework with regard to the cooperation between universities and the social partners. Also, it discusses the role that has been attributed to (or claimed by) the social partners regarding work experience programmes. The EHEA institutional framework includes provisions for the participation of social partners in the organisation of work placements, which contribute to students’ skills development and easier transition to employment.


2009 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 297-306 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edith Braun ◽  
Bernhard Leidner

This article contributes to the conceptual and empirical distinction between (the assessment of) appraisals of teaching behavior and (the assessment of) self-reported competence acquirement within academic course evaluation. The Bologna Process, the current higher-education reform in Europe, emphasizes education aimed toward vocationally oriented competences and demands the certification of acquired competences. Currently available evaluation questionnaires measure the students’ satisfaction with a lecturer’s behavior, whereas the “Evaluation in Higher Education: Self-Assessed Competences” (HEsaCom) measures the students’ personal benefit in terms of competences. In a sample of 1403 German students, we administered a scale of satisfaction with teaching behavior and the German version of the HEsaCom at the same time. Using confirmatory factor analysis, the estimated correlations between the various scales of self-rated competences and teaching behavior appraisals were moderate to strong, yet the constructs were shown to be empirically distinct. We conclude that the self-rated gains in competences are distinct from satisfaction with course and instructor. In line with the higher education reform, self-reported gains in competences are an important aspect of academic course evaluation, which should be taken into account in the future and might be able to restructure the view of “quality of higher education.” The English version of the HEsaCom is presented in the Appendix .


2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Irma MESIRIDZE ◽  
Nino TVALTCHRELIDZE

The Bologna Process, Information and Communication Technology, and market forces have brought manyinnovations and great changes to higher education systems throughout Europe. Reforms in higher educationhave taken a new direction, towards making higher education students more autonomous. However, manycountries have not really adopted this innovative way of teaching and still maintain an old ‘transmission’ stylewhich often entails teachers trying to pour knowledge into the minds of their students. Promoting autonomouslearning (the ability of students to manage their own learning) in higher education is crucial both for theindividual and society, as the idea of an academic student comprises critical reflective thinking and theimportance of becoming an independent learner. This article will discuss the importance of promotingautonomous learning throughout self, peer and co-assessment for higher education quality enhancement. Thepaper will examine the case of International Black Sea University’s MA students enrolled in the Higher EducationManagement program. The analyses of a survey will be used to discuss the significance of autonomous learningfor students and their readiness for self, peer and co-assessment.


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