Purpose

This paper aims to draw on a socio-technical perspective to explore how information and communication technology (ICT) supports the validation of non-formal and informal learning (VNFIL) in specific practices and arrangements.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use qualitative content analysis to analyse 43 country reports of the “European inventory on validation” published by the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop) in 2019.

Findings

This study conceptualises ICT supported VNFIL practices and arrangements from a socio-technical perspective. Given this, the paper finds that ICT is used mainly to provide information on validation practices and arrangements, store qualification registers online and identify and document learning outcomes. The use of ICT to assess and certify learning outcomes remains limited.

Originality/value

VNFIL is very rarely seen in a technical context. This paper contributes to a theoretical perspective and highlights the mutual interdependence of social and technical components. Furthermore, this study provides an overview of inasmuch ICT is currently used to support VNFIL practices and arrangements. Based on the results, validation researchers and practitioners can get inspiration on how to develop ICT supported VNFIL practices and arrangements further.

中文翻译：

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采用社会技术视角重新思考在 VNFIL 中使用 ICT

目的

本文旨在从社会技术角度探讨信息和通信技术 (ICT) 如何支持在特定实践和安排中对非正规和非正规学习 (VNFIL) 的验证。

设计/方法/方法

作者使用定性内容分析分析了 2019 年欧洲职业培训发展中心 (Cedefop) 发布的“欧洲验证清单”的 43 个国家报告。

发现

本研究从社会技术的角度概念化了 ICT 支持的 VNFIL 实践和安排。鉴于此，本文发现 ICT 主要用于提供有关验证实践和安排的信息、在线存储资格登记册以及识别和记录学习成果。使用 ICT 评估和认证学习成果仍然有限。

原创性/价值

VNFIL 在技术环境中很少见。本文提供了一种理论视角，并强调了社会和技术组成部分的相互依存关系。此外，本研究概述了目前用于支持 VNFIL 实践和安排的 ICT。根据结果​​，验证研究人员和从业人员可以就如何进一步开发支持 ICT 的 VNFIL 实践和安排获得灵感。