Accreditation of Prior Learning
A facility which enables learners to present evidence of their prior learning toward the award of credit.
Assessment
The process by which judgements are made about learners’ achievements, including the methods by which assessment may be carried out and the way in which it is recorded.
Assessment Criteria
The range and scope of the Learning Outcomes to be demonstrated.
Certification
The procedure by which OCN awards credit to learners.
Course
A course is a programme of study, made up of a collection of units engaged in by a group of learners as notified to OCNEMR.
Credit
The standard unit of measurement used by OCNs to indicate volume and breadth of learning. All learning achievement is described in terms of “credit”. The number of credits indicates the volume of learning for which the NOCN definition is used. Each unit has a credit value. 1 credit is considered to be what can be achieved in 10 nominal learning hours. (please note, this is different to credits awarded for programmes registered before Aug 31 2004 when a credit was worth 30 nominal learning hours. The 10 hour credit has been introduced to come into line with the national definition of credit.)
Credit Accumulation
The act of building up credits within an accredited programme, or between different accredited programmes
Credit Transfer
Transferring credit from one OCN to another member of the National Open College Network (NOCN) or vice versa. All OCN credits are transferable to other members of NOCN.
Intended Credit Target/Value
The number of credits reasonably expected to be achieved by an individual learner on a course. This realistically will be a function of the number of guided learning hours and the level of the course.
Learner
A student, trainee or any other participant on a programme.
Learning Outcome
A statement which clearly identifies what the learner will know, understand, or be able to do.
Learning Support
The facilities offered by an organisation which provide the support necessary for a learner to achieve the outcomes of a programme.
Level
The description of the complexity and independence of learning. Each individual unit will have an assigned credit value and level. OCNs accredit units at Entry level, Entry 1, Entry 2, Entry 3, Level One, Level Two and Level Three. Entry1, 2, 3 relate the basic skills levels. Level One, is generally equivalent to working at GCSE grade D-G, Level Two working at GCSE grade A-C and Level Three working at A level.
Level Descriptor
The description or definition of a level.
Local Units
Local units are written and recognised to reflect local needs. They are written in the same format as qualification units using the same definitions of credit and level, they are also subject to the same quality assurance process. This type of unit is useful for recognising local individualised programmes where no appropriate qualification is available. Local units can be delivered alongside qualification units to enhance the learning experience of the learners.
Moderation
The process of verification that ensures that a programme is being delivered and developed according to the submission document and valid award of credit is made to learners.
NQF (National Qualifications Framework) All qualifications recognised by QCA (Qualifications and Curriculum Agency)
NEMOCN
North East Midlands Open College Network merged with OCNSEM on August 1st 2005. NEMOCN operated in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and parts of Lincolnshire and Staffordshire. The two organisations now form Open College Network East Midlands Region.
NOCN Qualifications
NOCN qualifications are made up of a series of units of assessment and in some cases an external assessment. The achievement of the prescribed combination of units, and if necessary the additional external assessment, constitutes the achievement of the whole qualification. There are numerous NOCN qualifications in a wide range of subject areas details of which can be found on the NOCN website www.nocn.org.uk Each qualification has a qualification guide which details how the qualification is to be operated.
NOCN Qualification Units
The units contained in a NOCN qualification can be delivered, achieved and accredited individually. This makes NOCN Qualifications flexible, because learners will receive their unit accreditation on achievement and can then build on that achievement to complete the full qualification over time.
NQF (National Qualifications Framework)
All qualifications recognised by QCA (Qualifications and Curriculum Agency).
OCNSEM
Open College Network South East Midlands operated in Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and parts of Cambridgeshire and was merged with NEMOCN. The two organisations now form Open College Network East Midlands Region.
QCF (Qualifications and Curriculum Framework)
All qualifications recognised by QCA (Qualifications and Curriculum Agency).
Tutor
Trainer, lecturer or facilitator of a programme.
Units
All learning achievements are assessed against units. A unit has an explicit and coherent set of outcomes which describe what a learner will be able to do along with appropriate assessment criteria. A unit has a level and credit value.
