The ILU -International Learning Unit

The New Outcomes-Based

Recognition Standard

for Lifelong Learning

in the 21st Century

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Agenda

1. What is the ILU?

2. Why the need for the ILU?

3. How does it work?

4. Questions & Comments

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What is an ILU?What is an ILU?

The International Learning Unit (ILU) is The International Learning Unit (ILU) is an outcomes based standard for an outcomes based standard for recognizing lifelong learning for the 21recognizing lifelong learning for the 21stst CenturyCentury

It is an alternative to the time based CEU It is an alternative to the time based CEU for measuring learner achievement of for measuring learner achievement of learninglearning

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What is an ILU?What is an ILU?

One Learning Unit is gained by an outcomes- based EVALUATION of 50 CONTENT ITEMS learned, with a pass rate of 80%

A sub-unit is 0.1 ILU earned by mastering or passing four out of five content items

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What about the CEU?What about the CEU?

The Continuing Education Unit (CEU) has had a 35 year history of varying success and usefulness

However, the CEU is no longer as relevant to the

Information/Internet Age of the 21st century Being time-based makes it obsolete for assessment

is based on more than just time spent

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Reason for a new Reason for a new approach?approach?

1. Time no longer the primary measure1. Time no longer the primary measure Time was the primary measurement of learning

and work in the 20th century Think time-clocks, 8 hour workday, 12 years of

schooling, and 1 hr. of seat time = 0.1 CEU, 60 class hours = 3 credits

Now, in work and in learning, outcomes and results matter

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Reason for a new Reason for a new approach?approach?

2. Attendance does not equal learning2. Attendance does not equal learning Sitting in class for a specific amount of time is no

indication of learning

- Some might not learn anything.

- Some might learn it all in 10 minutes.

- Some might require 2 hours to learn the same material.

- Some might already know it.

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Reason for a new Reason for a new approach?approach?

3.3. Current and new learning cannot be effectively Current and new learning cannot be effectively measured using timemeasured using time

For contemporary methods of learning: distance education, case studies, experiential, portfolio and especially online learning, the amount of learning achieved is nearly impossible to measure by amount of time spent

Currently there is no satisfactory measure of time spent learning online

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Reason for a new Reason for a new approach?approach?

4.4. Time is a valuable resourceTime is a valuable resource Time in the 21st century is so valuable to current

and future generations that time needs to be conserved and used more wisely than ever before

To Gen Y, it does not make sense to reward someone with more credit or CEUs for taking longer to learn

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Reason for a new Reason for a new approach?approach?

5. We need to measure learning, not teaching5. We need to measure learning, not teaching Learning has shifted towards focusing on

evaluating and measuring learning rather than teaching

Unlike other measures which address inputs and teaching, the ILU is a measure of learning outcomes and focuses on the learner

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The Need for a New Measure

Learning is not measured, time is More time does not equal more learning Workplace values changing Previous learning is ignored Difficult to judge level of content Not applicable for distance education, online, hybrid,

experiential, internships or other forms of contemporary or creative forms of learning

A more workable “common currency” is needed

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The International Learning UnitThe International Learning Unitis LERN’s Responseis LERN’s Response

The ILU is copyright © LERN

Why? andHow does ILU work?

Why is ILU is copyrighted Why is ILU is copyrighted by LERN?by LERN?

To maintain its validity and credibility and prevent misuse. For example, so someone cannot give 0.1 ILU for getting 1 out of 5 questions right

To provide a repository of Providers and Approving Agencies

To create a forum for Providers and Approving Agencies to share best practices

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How does the ILU work?How does the ILU work?

One Learning Unit is gained by an outcomes- based EVALUATION of 50 CONTENT ITEMS learned, with a pass rate of 80%

A sub-unit is 0.1 ILU earned by mastering or passing four out of five content items

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What is an “evaluation”?What is an “evaluation”?

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A common method of evaluation is a test.

Other types of evaluations include:

- Demonstrations

- Essays

- Online discussions

- Presentations

- And other outcome-based evaluations

Example of an EvaluationExample of an Evaluation

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ESSAY....

3 pages. Must meet 4 out of the following 5 criteria:

- Establishes a clear theme

- Cites at least two references

- Has fewer than 3 grammatical errors

- Has a stated conclusion

- Provides one illustration or example

What is a “content item”?What is a “content item”?

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A common content item is a “question”

or a significant piece of knowledge within a subject matter or topic of study

What is a “content item”?What is a “content item”?

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It could be a demonstrated skill, e.g Bike Repair:

1. Selects and Replaces tires with proper pressure

2. Adjusts and tunes wheel spokes

3. Adjusts seat and handle bars for rider positioning

4. Cleans and lubricates key points and gears

5. Identifies the 3 most important bike repair tools

Quality control Quality control standardsstandards

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Quality control remains in the hands of:- Approval Agencies

- Providers

- Content Experts

- Deliverers

- Learners

3 types of players are 3 types of players are involved in ILUsinvolved in ILUs

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• Learners, who receive ILUs

• Providers, organizations, programs or individuals who offer learning activities and ILUs

• Approval Agencies, who approve ILUs for a given occupation or subject area

Examples of Approval Examples of Approval AgenciesAgencies

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Professional Practice Boards relicensing professionals and others in occupationsAssociations recognizing or approving of member qualifications for professional, trade and other occupational practiceColleges and universities, may convert ILUs to other college “credits”Employers basing pay raises, promotions and job requirements for their employees

Think of it like…Think of it like…

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Think of registering to offer ILUs the same way you register to have a web site domain name. Virtually no one is prohibited from having a domain name. However, ICANN (the organization controlling domain names) can maintain the validity and credibility of the World Wide Web. A few rules have to be followed.

To register to use the ILU:To register to use the ILU:

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Simply go to www.learningunit.org and sign upThere is no fee to registerYou do NOT HAVE to offer ILUs after registering. Registering means you are authorized to offer ILUs You cannot offer ILUS without registering first.

Registered to DateRegistered to Date

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Altamaha Technical College American Institute of Architects Business & Industry Institute Butler Tech Cardinal Stritch University Chicago State University City of Boynton Beach Recreation &

Parks Department Consultores de Educacion Cordova

& Asociados S. A Corporate College Dakota County Technical College East Central University FDAnews FWCS Neighborhood Connection IU South Bend, Division of Continuing

Education Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana Jackson Twp. Community Education John Plunkett Kirkwood Community College Langara College

Learning Resources Network Longwood Gardens Luzerne County Community College McDowell Sonoran Land Trust Neighborhood Connection Niagara University Continuing &

Community Ed OCAB Oklahoma Department of Career and

Technology Education Pierce College Redlands Community College Rockingham Community College Shenandoah University Sojourner Douglass College Spokane Falls Community College Tri-County Technical College University of Central Oklahoma University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown University of Tulsa University of Wisconsin-River Falls Voorhees College

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