The use ofThe use of Learning Contract Learning Contract within an Italian University settingwithin an Italian University setting

Monica Fedeli PhD University of PaduaMario Giampaolo PhD student University of Padua

A brief comparison: the Italian University SystemA brief comparison: the Italian University System

www.polito.it

A brief comparison: U.S.A. University System A brief comparison: U.S.A. University System

http://www.fulbright.it/

Planning and management of educational servicesPlanning and management of educational services

• The Master course has a blended teaching method.

• The Master course prepares experts in promotion, organization, coordination and evaluation of educational services.

• The Master aim to develop skills that characterize the following job description: manager of educational services, manager of educational projects, both in public and private sectors.

Human resources, evaluation and Human resources, evaluation and management of educational servicesmanagement of educational services

• An integrated module of three teaching in the Master course.

• First teaching aims to study and practice assessment of human resources in organizations,

• Second teaching aims to achieve a good level of knowledge in adult learning models, training and methodologies.

• Third teaching aims to deepen themes as evaluation and quality in organizations that provide educational, social and health services.

• The on-line workshop aims to develop skills of analysis and evaluation of the position, design of educational projects and it's evaluation.

Questions of researchQuestions of research

In what ways can LCs be integrated into the Italian university system?

In what ways are LCs meaningful for students as tools in the learning process planning?

The observed groupThe observed group from 02/03/12 until 06/06/12from 02/03/12 until 06/06/12

• N° of student in the class: 48 (46 F, 2 M)• N° of student who decide to use Learning

Contract: 37• Age average: 35

The learning contract experience: positive aspects

19%

31%

8%

14%

6%

11%

8%3%

What do you think about Learning Contract ?

positive judgment by 33 students

noveltyreflexive strategiesmonitoring strategiesorganizational strategies opportunity for personal growthopportunity to become awareopportunity for clarificationpossibility of focusing

In which extent students perceive LC as a tool to clarify learning results of the course ?

14%

31%

40%

14%

Do you believe that Learning Contract is an appropriate tool to clarify the learning results of this course ?

1= never2= rarely3= often4= always

In which extent students perceive LC as a tool to better explain learning results of the course ?

14%

26%

46%

14%Do you believe that Learning Contract is an appropriate tool to explain the results of this course ?

1= never2= rarely3= often4= always

In which extent students perceive LC as a tool to improve sense of control ?

6%

20%

51%

23%

Do you believes that Learning Contract is an appropriate tool to develop a sense of control over the subjects of the course ?

1= never2= rarely3= often4= always

In which extent students perceive LC as a tool to improve sense of awarness ?

3%

17%

49%

31%

Do you believes that Learning Contract is an appropriate tool to develop a sense of awareness on the subjects studied?

1= never2= rarely3= often4= always

The learning contract experience: negative aspects

21%

18%

3% 33%

15%

9%

What do you think about Learning Contract ?

negative judgment by 33 students

misapplicationnegative feelingsunknown practicecomplexityover-commitmentunnecessary practice

Presentation of LC to the classPresentation of LC to the class

50%

5%

32%

9%5%

What do you think about the way to introduce Learning Contract to the class ?

positive judgment

clarity of tutorusefulness of resoucesusefulness of video motivation of the tutorusefulness of the forum

Presentation of LC to the classPresentation of LC to the class

94%

6%

What do you think about the way to introduce Learning Contract to the class ?

negative judgment

misunderstandinglow number of resources

Which is students perception of the Which is students perception of the compiling phase ?compiling phase ? Positive aspectPositive aspect

36%

16% 4%

20%

8%

4%4%

4%4%

What do you think about the process of completing Learning Contract ?

positive judgment

reflexive strategiesorganization strategies opportunity for clarificationavailability of tutorsusefulness of video possibility of controlpossibility of focusingUse of wikiopportunity to become aware

Which is students perception of the Which is students perception of the filling phase ?filling phase ? Negative aspectNegative aspect

10%

20%

14

10%

5%

20%

What do you think about the process of completing Learning Contract ?

negative judgment

negative feelingsover-commitmentcomplexityunnecessary practiceuse of wikimisapplication

Which is students perception of learning contract as an appropriate tool to identify learning objectives ?

3%

23%

57%

17%

Do you believes that Learning Contract is an appropriate tool to develop a process to identify your learning objectives?

1= never2= rarely3= often4= always

ConclusionsConclusions

This study shows that the majority of students perceive LC as a tool that allows to reflect, to control and to have a sense of awareness on our learning. It gives the possibility to clarify and explain own learning results.

Dividing the LC process in two, the introduction process and the compiling process, we have found that the most important problems happen during the compiling process.

The most important negative judgments are about the complexity and the misapplication of the tool especially during compiling, and the misunderstanding of the task during the presentation of the instrument.