Following an extensive piloting phase, the Pineapple survey has just been sent out to 169 HE in FE programme managers across the UPC network. The survey will provide us with information about general awareness of APEL among staff and any support they require. Looking forward to seeing the results.  Our target - 100% response rate!

As you will know from the previous posts we are currently gethering as much information as we can about APEL.In the last week Harriet and I have been focusing in on UPC and what is already going in terms APEL and APCL. Our meeting in Bradford was extreemly useful and I must thank the other projects for their useful input and insights provided both through their presentations and coversations.

I am taking time to think from a systems / user perspective too and what information is available, where it is stored, what is required and many other questions. I am hoping that by Jan/Feb we will have the process completed and I will begin developing the software.

There will be variations between colleges but I am moving away from a model which supports massive variation in how an APEL process can be undertaken. I think with close collaboration and support from UPC Faculty it will be more successful approach to have as much standardisation as possible.

As with everything this still could all change

To lighten up the post here are some early system screenshots which I am using to aid system design and usability.

Still early days but it may look like this

Rob and Harriet enjoyed a very useful assembly last week. Thanks go to Ibrar and the team at Bradford for hosting the event. It was good to get a chance to share ideas and discuss specific issues about APEL in HE – lots to think about!