Academic Framework for Innovation (AFI)

The process widely known as 'Bologna' started in the Sorbonne in 1998 where the idea of a common European Higher Education Area was conceived at a meeting of ministers of education "...to consolidate Europe's standing in the world through continuously improved and updated education for its citizens". The following year, 1999, brought "The Bologna Declaration: Joint declaration of the European Ministers of Education".

A colourful Bologna history has been generated since then encompassing Prague, Berlin, Bergen...and along the way 2010 was chosen as the deadline date for the realisation of a framework to achieve the aims of Bologna:

• easily readable and comparable degrees
• a European credit transfer system
• promotion of mobility
• promotion of cooperation in quality assurance
• promotion of a European dimension

Learning outcomes are viewed as the common currency or means by which these aims of Bologna can best be achieved. There is a very extensive literature on Bologna, covering its many facets, but here we provide a selection of documents/links related to the Bologna context.

Bologna Conference

• Presentations

Irish Websites / Publications

• www.bologna.ie
• http://www.nqai.ie/interdev_bologna.html

U.K. Reports and Conferences

• Bologna Seminar: The Scottish Experience (2008)
  Conference Paper by Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh
• UK Bologna Seminar on learning outcomes (2004): Using Learning Outcomes, Edinburgh, 1-2 July 2004
  http://www.aic.lv/ace/ace_disk/Bologna/Bol_semin/Edinburgh/index.htm
  Conference Paper by Heriot-Watt University
• Moon, J (2004) Paper presented at the Bologna seminar on Learning outcomes at Edinburgh, Linking, Levels Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria:
  Conference paper by Jenny Moon of Exeter University, printable.
• BFUG Working Group on Qualifications Frameworks (2007) National Qualifications Frameworks Development and Certification- final report, DfES:

European Consortium for Accreditation Conference, Zurich, Sept. 2007

• Ewell, P T (2007) PowerPoint presentation at the ECA conference on learning outcomes, Creating Authentic Academic Cultures of Evidence: A Perspective on Learning Outcomes: PowerPoint Presentation from ECA Conference by Peter Ewell
• Ho, A PowerPoint presentation at the ECA conference on learning outcomes, On the learning curve: Institutional efforts in Implementing outcome-based approach in student Learning: PowerPoint Presentation at ECA conference by Angela Ho, Head, Educational Development Centre, Hong Kong Polytechnic Unit, Hong Kong
• European Consortium for Accreditation [ECA] 2007 International Conference on Learning Outcomes, Defining and measuring learning outcomes in higher education, Zurich, 3-4 September 2007: Paper by OAO – Centre of Accreditation and Quality Assurance of the Swiss Universities

European Universities Association

• An Introduction to Learning Outcomes. A Consideration of the Nature, Function and Position of Learning Outcomes in the Creation of the European Higher Education Area, Stephen Adam.
• European Universities Association EUA, (2007) Trends V - Universities Shaping the European higher Educations Area, EUA Publications.
• European Universities Association EUA, (2007) Making Bologna Work, Writing and using learning outcomes by Declan Kennedy, Áine Hyland, Norma Ryan.

Council of Europe and the European Commission

• Council of Europe (2007) Forum on qualifications frameworks, Strasbourg.
  Website, can be printed
• European Commission (2006-7) Focus on the Structure of Higher Education in Europe 2006-2007 – National Trends in the Bologna Process, Eurydice:

Other European Websites, Reports and Conferences

• Website of Ost-West Wissenscgalfzentrum, HRK
• CEDEFOP Conference Outcomes (2007) Rhetoric or reality: The shift towards learning outcomes in European education and training policies and practises, Thessaloniki, 15-16 October 2007:
• Tuning-General_Final Report - Project co-ordinated by the University of Deusto, Spain and the University of Groningen, The Netherlands.
• European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education ENQA (2005) Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area:
  Document by European Association for Quality Assutance in Higher Education 2005, Helsinki