The VALLA online course tool enables course developers to define learning experiences where competence is acquired, such as short courses, workshops, work placements, field trips etc., in terms of learning outcomes and competences, in accordance with European principles, in a user-friendly methodology.

The tool was developed based on existing European Best Practice and is intended to take you through all the steps needed to describe courses and course units in terms of Learning Outcomes, following Best Practice methods. If you follow the instructions carefully, and read the background information and help guidelines, you will be able to define (or redefine) your courses in a format that should be suitable for submission to an awarding body in order to receive appropriate recognition and potentially accreditation.

The VALLA online tool has been developed to complement the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) and the Bologna Declaration requirements. One of the main features of the Bologna Declaration (signed by 46 European countries to create the European Higher Education Area (EHEA)) is the need to improve traditional ways of describing qualifications and qualification structures. In consequence, all programmes and courses of studies throughout the European Higher Education Area should be described in terms of “Learning Outcomes”. “Learning Outcomes” are statements of what a learner is expected to know, understand and/or be able to demonstrate after completion of a process of learning.

This tool has been developed for the EC funded Validation of All Lifelong Learning in Aquaculture (VALLA) project, and is applicable to any sector / field.

The VALLA tool is useful for anyone who needs detailed guidance on writing and developing training, for example:

• Teachers
• Professors
• Educators
• Qualification managers
• Qualification officers

Though initially developed for the aquaculture sector, the tool itself is generic and can easily be used by other sectors as well.

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It is strongly recommended that you consult the following documents which will help to bring you up to speed on best practice before you start designing/describing your course or as you progress through the tool.

1. Declan Kennedy et al., Writing and using Learning Outcomes: a practical guide:
   http://www.bologna.msmt.cz/files/learning-outcomes.pdf
2. Writing Objectives Using Bloom's Taxonomy:
   http://teaching.uncc.edu/resources/best-practice-articles/goals-objectives/objectives-using-bloom
3. SQA, 2006. Writing Higher National Units using the revised format

Learning outcomes are statements of what a learner is expected to know, understand and/or be able to demonstrate after completion of a process of learning and how they are expected to demonstrate that achievement. Learning outcomes can be considered as a sort of “common currency” that assists courses and programmes to be more transparent at both regional and international levels. In accordance with the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) and the Bologna Declaration requirements, all courses of studies and programmes throughout the European Higher Education Area should be described in terms of learning outcomes. Also training at other levels, such as short term sectoral training and lifelong learning in all its aspects, should also be described in terms of Learning Outcomes, as to make recognition across levels and countries easier.