Transnational methods and models for self-evaluation of non-formal

personal competencies

Wiebke Petersen and Gerald Heidegger(biat/ Universität Flensburg, Germany)

Leonardo da Vinci Project, Reference Material

Aims of the Self-Evaluation Project

Investigate and improve support for people in

evaluating their own possible competences through new methods of self-evaluation of personal competences of adult learners on a transnational basis

Improving opportunities to re-enter the labour market possibly in a different field:

- more suitable to personal interests and wishes

- higher success, better options to stay in the job

Target group learners with interrupted occupational

or learning careers who embark on various courses in colleges of further education with the purpose of returning to work or learning

self-evaluation and self-recognition of their personal skills and competences are crucial to broaden their career plans

Partners and processes of the project

Partners: United Kingdom, Portugal, Greece, Romania, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany (co-ordinator)

Processes: Investigation of societal/economic/political conditions for

- labour market re-entry- self-evaluation methods- pro´s and con´s of accreditation of non-formal and

informal learning- developing model projects (culturally adapted,

European dimension) - implementing and evaluating model projects

Valorisation of results

The German Model-Project for an Adult Course Module for

Self-Evaluation

Wiebke Petersen

(biat/ Universität Flensburg, Germany)

Experiences, Self-Evaluation and Self-Development

Three stages of the process of personal development in the context of broadening the career plans of the participants:

experiences through formal, non-formal and informal learning before the self-evaluation phase

module as an incentive for self-evaluation

further self-development of the personality with respect to occupational competencessocial competencespersonal competences („self-competences“)

Self-Evaluation of experiences, interests and wishes – the „German module“

through experiencing activities with different

characteristics/demands based on Holland ´s theory of types

of personality common reflection in groups (possibly with support)

using an independently usable IT-tool with greatly extended possibilities of

interactivity

creative thinking out new possible fields of occupation (and even „recreation“ – for the longterm unemployed)

Six types of personality according to HOLLAND´s theory (including combinations)

Holland´ s theory of types of personality

Created in the 1960s Based on behaviourist personality theory Six types defined through factor analysis Since then extensive further development Application to job finding processes,

biographical planning of occupational career For that development of a typology of job

profiles according to the same six dimensions

Matching of types of personality and dimensions of job profiles ( R=realistic, I=investigative, A=artistic, S=social, E= enterprising, C=conventional)

Characteristics of personality:three main dimensions (first, second, third):e.g. IAS for university professor

RCE for car mechanicSCI for teachers

Issues for criticism: Conventional understanding of the types e.g.

enterprising close to salesmanshipsocial close to education (even mainly of children)realistic close to male handicraftinvestigative close to academic endeavours (Implicit

influence of bourgeois prejudices)

Matching of types of personality and dimensions of job profiles

Dimensions of job profilesIn the US the ca. 20 000 job profiles each get a 3 letter type description (drawing on official job descriptions, job advertisements, experts judgements)

Nowadays adapted worldwide (commercially available)

E.g. for Germany EXPLORIX for the ca. 350 middle level „Berufe“ and also the academic professions

Matching of types of personality and dimensions of job profiles

Dimensions of job profiles – Critical issues:Very different types of activities within one occupation are neglected, e.g. for car mechanic: focus on

repetitive repair work investigative diagnosis of faultscounselling of customersleading work groupsalesmanship

We try to change this fundamentally!

Matching of types of personality and dimensions of job profiles

Basic idea of matching: Individuals with a certain „Holland code“ supposed to be optimally suitable for occupations with the same code

The idea of self-realisation during leisure activities is neglected

The individuals are subject to seemingly objective procedures (although often additional counselling is recommended)

We try to change that!

Defining and matching types of personality according to EXPLORIX Individuals fill in short questionnaires (Ten

questions for each dimension) Two methods of self-investigation

What am I able to do?What would I like to do?

Results evaluated online by the EXPLORIX-Company (10 €)

Outcome: Suggestions for job search according to the matching processInstead we offer an approach based on independent self-judging!

The Flensburg-method for searching your „self“ and thinking out a new future

Based on Holland ´s six dimensions (R, I, A, S, E, C)

Experiencing your main features through carrying through real activities oriented to the types

Reflecting on and thinking out new possible occupations but also suitable leisure activities (importance of work-life-balance)

We also give the hint to think aboutWhat am I able to do?What would I like to do?

People are advised to thinking but also to listening to their emotions.

The Flensburg-method for searching your „self“ and thinking out a new future Examples for the activities:2-3 alternatives for each main type of personalityAdditionally one can be created by the

participants themselvesRealistic: model railway

sewing model ships or steam engines

Investigative: comparing and choosing an office chair for people with a bad back

investigating a fault in a carresearching into the cheapest

ingredients for a meal

The Flensburg-method for searching your „self“ and thinking out a new futureartistic: building an object for a model railway landscape

preparing and decorating a plate with bread roles(Canapés)???

social: role playing – intervention in a conflict???

enterprising: organising a political manifestationorganising the preparation of a large meal in a team

with a limited budget???

Conventional: Book keeping about expenditures for a household filling in transfers for one´s own bank account???

The Flensburg-method for searching your „self“ and thinking out a new future Combinations of Holland codes are obviously built in into the

activities Additional ideas still to be analysed according to the Holland

codeFurther possible self-evaluation activities, at the same time

options for suitable recreational activities for times of unemployment

sports (table tennis, football, etc.)gardeningmaking music (playing in a band)dancing….

Conventional activity: Calculating expenditure for foodChristina (shop assistant): no hope to experience something new

Tim (plasterer Meister): is familiar with calculations

Realistic activity: building a model railwayMilan (roma, showman on a fairground, low literacy and numeracy skills): no special interests, but high motivation

Artistic activity: Landscape for the model railwayBarbara (without qualification): likes being creative

Common reflection in groups (possibly with support)Barbara (without qualification): difficulties in oral expressionVladimir (electrician, from Russia): speaks nearly no German

The interactive tool for the Flensburg method

In cases where participants have some IT-skills:

To be filled in on a computer Participants answer questions which relate to

the six Holland dimensionsaccording to three levels

Additional interactivity: Not only individual answers but

The questions themselves can be adapted to one´s experiences, interests, wishes and desires.

This can also be done with a pencil.

Second step: The IT-tool

The matrix definig the dimensions of the Self-Evaluation IT-tool:

Holland´s dimensions of interests, wishes and abilities

R I A S E C

Learning contexts:     formal: e.g. school    non-formal: e.g. apprenticeship, work placement

informal: e.g. family, sports club

Competences:

   Occupational interests wishes   Social interests wishes Personal interests wishes

Possible future activities

   individual activities   networking activities in groups   activities for furthering „civil society“(citizenship)

The Flensburg-method for searching your „self“ and thinking out a new future

experiencing activities with different characteristics/demands

common reflection in groups (possibly with support)

using an independently usable IT-tool, the interactive tool for the Flensburg method

creative thinking out new possible fields of occupation (and even „recreation“ – for the long term unemployed)