CORE QUALITY CRITERIA:  CULTURE OF LEARNING

Main aspects important for quality assurance in the case of a specific quality area (i.e. culture of learning)

INDICATORS
(CORE AND ADDITIONAL/DESCRIPTORS)

What might indicate quality in the partnership?

EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT INDICATORS

What evidence is available to support the inclusion of the indicators?

Learning objectives/outcomes are commonly defined and promoted within partnership

Targets and benchmarks are discussed, defined and used by the learning region partnership  

Development of charters, learning contracts or agreements, use in the overall strategic documents of targets and specific benchmarks

Review of regular reports including data (qualitative and quantitative on learning objectives and outcomes).

Capacity-centered learning provision, flexible ways and opportunities for transformative experiences of citizens and organizations.

Formal, non-formal and informal learning for social, economic, cultural, political and personal development

Enhancement of people's ability to work cooperatively together to understand and overcome their problems

Embedding concepts of widening access and LLL in strategy documents 

Content of learning covers a vast array of subject areas. 

Learning is situated in diverse places generated by the partnership according to identified needs

Learning gaps are documented and related with the quality system

Exploration of diverse learning needs, analysis of barriers and learning failures and innovative ways of improving skills and knowledge

Focus on issues related to the access of groups with disadvantaged backgrounds and documentation of their specific learning needs.

Development and use of specific audit tools of work and citizenship needs (local/regional level)

Specific methodologies/tools for identification of learning gaps explicitly defined and used.

Review of specific disadvantaged groups needs reflected in the regular assessment of the learning region partnership.

Capacities for learning promotion are created/developed

Proactive promotion strategies to change perceptions of the value of learning 

on-line learning format and media-connected communication

Use of individual cases to promote succes and value of learning

Recognition of success - use of case studies in promotional and marketing material (newsletters)

Motivational strategies are in place for adults  within the community of learners

Create a positive social climate, conditions and incentives for learning within the community and organizations.

Stimulating the sharing of experiences and flexible learning paths.

Number of engaged learners and organizations. 

Learner satisfaction surveys, interviews, questionnaires

Ongoing learning promotion events, festivals and adult learners' weeks.

Regular assessment of learning outcomes and impact on the development of adult learners

Measuring the gains and wider benefits  ( human capital, social capital, identity, shifts in the mindset, public visibility and awareness, co-creation of products, influencing policies , different forms of public good).

Assessment and evaluation tools developed and annual reports map progress. Use of independent auditors.

Facilitating self-assessment

Documenting people and communities empowered to overcome their problems through learning in collaboration 

Dissemination at the local level of newsletters, leaflets, etc

Positive approach to valorisation of knowledge  of all participants (i.e. informal and non-formal learning)

Establishing mechanisms allowing the recognition of prior learning

Applying validation schemes for formal, non-formal and informal learning activities. 

Learning by sharing diverse learning experiences

National qualifications framework

Credit accumulation and transfer schemes

Workshops, lectures, joint development-projects and networking  

Strategy in place for capitalizing learning within partnership

Creating a climate for open dialogues, an environment of challenge and trust , exploring issues from many points of view and perspectives , acting as "critical friends" .

Consciously  work through groups and alliances  in order to build support for joint actions.

Community involvement - stakeholder buy-in - formal structures to allow dialogue and discussion - mechanisms exist to act on recommendations

Seizing new opportunities