The Internal Tool for Validation is an online tool aimed at assisting active members of AEGEE to recognise their competences gained while taking on organisational tasks and positions within the AEGEE organisational structure. In this way the users will recognise their informal and non-formal learning happening inside the organisation, specifically for AEGEE members that have positions and responsibilities on the European level. The tool is still being developed therefore no information about the strengths, challenges, quality assurance or impact can be given. Nevertheless, it is worth to mention some information about the tool as described by Markovic & Paddison (2014).
The development process of the tool foresees the following steps:
- Creation of an internal framework of competences (in reference to the existing frameworks)
- Designing the technical aspects of the tool
- Preparing the questions for the assessment
Description of the tool:
According to Markovic and Padisson (2014, p.48) the tool should enable its users to go through the process in five distinct steps:
- Identification: In this phase, the user will have 3 main tasks: Explain his/her motivation for doing the certification process Describe the position and tasks s/he has carried out within the organisation After being presented with the framework of competences, the user has to self-identify which are the competences and sub competences s/he has developed, using a scale from 1 to 4
- Documentation: In this phase, the user is asked to gather and upload relevant documents to illustrate/prove its competences. For instance, there will be a request to upload CV, cover letters, Training Course certificates, etc.
- Assessment: During this phase, which turns out to be the most complex phase to build, the user will have to assess his/her competences (the ones he/she has already selected as relevant). Even though the framework will have 7 main competences, the user would not need to assess all of them, in case some of them are not relevant to his/her position and involvement in the organisation). The assessment methodology will use the following methods: Survey; 52 Case studies; Self-assessment. After completing this step and before receiving the actual certificate, the tool will automatically notify the European Board that a new profile has been filled in, and another crucial phase will start.
- Peer review: The user will be supported by a person who will be in charge of reviewing the user’s answers and providing peer feedback to the user. The person carrying out the peer review obviously needs to know the applicant and to have worked with him/her before.
- Certification: Providing the members a final certification.