Modularisation approaches in Initial Vocational Education: evidence for policy convergence in Europe?

an article by Matthias Pilz and Junmin Li (University of Cologne, Germany), Roy Canning (University of Stirling, UK) and Sarah Minty (University of Edinburgh) published in Journal of Vocational Education & Training Volume 70 Issue 1 (2018)

Abstract

One response to challenges of national vocational training systems has been a move towards greater flexibility within vocational training systems.

This article focuses on an investigation of modularisation as a tool for achieving this flexibility. Many European countries have introduced modular forms into their vocational training system. We investigate whether the global trends set out are producing policy convergence in modularisation in differing countries.

This study selects seven European countries to make a detailed analysis and entailed an analysis of each country’s Initial Vocational Education and Training programmes. The methodology involved both primary and secondary data collection.

The findings demonstrate policy convergence that can be attributed to similar challenges at national level. Modularisation in some countries takes a ‘radical’ form. Other countries have followed a mixed approach. It is clear that no two countries have adopted the same form of modularisation, although some countries have cited common challenges in the modularisation process.

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Evaluation of Information Strategy Implementation: A Critical Approach

an article by Yongmei Bentley (University of Bedfordshire Business School), and Steve Clarke (University of Hull Business School) published in Journal of Organizational and End User Computing (Volume 23 Number 1 (January-March 2011))

Abstract
Information strategy is often relegated to an information technology element of corporate strategy, or worse, ignored in favour of IT operational planning. This research, conducted over a five-year period, stresses the correct framing of an information strategy and its implementation. The authors propose a framework that assists in the evaluation of such strategies, primarily those at higher education institutions, but also in a wider range of organisations seeking to improve the understanding and implementation of their information strategy.

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BSI consults on first British Standard for accessible websites

A British Standard will give business owners and marketing managers new guidance for building and maintaining web content that is accessible to disabled people. A draft version of BS 8878 was released for public comment today.

Read the full article from OUT-LAW and discover that I have been holding this for three months. I am ashamed of myself. Comments were open for two months so the opportunity has passed to make any input but it is good to know that the standard is likely to be published in the summer. Let's hope that not only do web developers and website managers adhere to the standards but that someone, somewhere, somehow actually makes sure that, at the very least, public sector information services are accessible to all.

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