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Biographical method

Short Description
This method was included as part of evaluation, detection and recognition of prior learning. Another dimension is social – self-reflection which is not only related to vocational training but also to social and cultural background of participants. This method is used to analyse an individual’s history, present and future, raise his self-awareness and encourage conscious planning of future actions, has positive effect on personal development of an individual. It helps the individual to better understand the importance of events and transitions in his life, become aware of his own identity, recognise and take responsibility for his own life and take an active role in it. Focus is to collecting and analysing the different ways of acquiring knowledge and competence development in different life circumstances and different social situations in which life skills are important. This method is useful in the detection of hidden knowledge and empowerment of self-confidence, and in opening new paths in training process. In this project were used spoken and written forms of biography in combination with guided interview. On institutional level this method is very useful tool for collecting data about previous learning, and important part of process for recognition of prior learning

This method was implemented in 5 phases:

Preparation of instructions for writing biography and motivating the candidate to cooperate (short instructions that drive attention to specific situations and life events rather than ask about details). If the participant refuses to write a biography, a guided interview can be carried out instead.

In-depth analysis of the life story (the counsellor analyses the written story and on this basis prepares a set of questions for the guided interview; through this procedure he gets information that is needed for a reliable assessment of knowledge and skills of a participant)

Guided interview

Collecting additional evidence (to support competences already identified through the process) A written record of a candidate’s competences (opinion prepared by the counsellor)

Pedagogical Information

This method is part of specially prepared curriculum. Short-term staff training program (train the trainer course) was prepared as an intensive educational program for 15 future trainers from partners organisations who were prepared to work with legal migrant women by special developed curriculum for migrants. This program lasted for 5 days and participants have strengthened their professional knowledge and skills with new teaching methods like dealing with prejudice by world café method, how to make personal education plan, guidance, informing and counselling, learning to learn competence, NLP methods and techniques – practical tips for classroom use, identification and validation of informal and non-formal learning – tools, in-classroom use of ICT tools and materials, interculturality and key characteristics of migrant learners, practical tips for classroom use: sustainability – a universal topic, detailed instructions for pilot implementations of the program.

Partners have made a curriculum proposal that served organizations as a basis for adapting the curriculum to their needs and the needs of migrants. This curriculum consists from seven modules such as learning of the official language of the country of residence, introduction of the EU and country of residence, organised sightseeing and field trips, workshops on integration into the labour market, ICT workshops, organised visits to institutions and employers, in-company training. The duration of the program is 80 hours of theory and 80 hours of in-company training, that enables them to apply newly acquired knowledge in order to help them have better social integration and integration to countries labour market.

European Dimension

Method is focused to development of some European values related to diversity, intercultural communication and understanding (because participants were from different countries and continents), social inclusion and employability (using hidden knowledge and skills on labour market).

Applied in projects

I am an Active Member of Multinational Society (I'm Active+)

Project I am Active strived to achieve two main intellectual outputs: methodology and guidelines for implementation of training the trainers programme and curriculum and recommendations of the programme for promoting social integration and development of intercultural dialogue with women third country nationals – stressing their integration into labour market.
Partners have made a curriculum proposal that served organizations as a basis for adapting the curriculum to their needs and the needs of migrants.

Additional resources

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