The OECD has launched an extensive feasibility study, the purpose of which is to establish whether the learning and academic performance of students in higher education can be measured internationally. The aim is to develop an assessment method, known for short as AHELO (Assessment of Higher Education Learning Outcomes), which takes into account the diversity of higher education systems with all their language and cultural differences.
In Finland national responsibility for coordination of the project is being carried by the Finnish Institute for Educational Research, which forms part of the University of Jyväskylä.
"AHELO has a number of subdivisions, including business and economics, technical sciences and generic skills on which measured data is sought. Finland will work alongside Korea, Mexico and Norway on assessing generic skills. By measuring generic skills the aim is to establish how well institutions of higher education teach critical thinking, analytical reasoning, problem solving and written communication," says Jan Ursin, Senior Researcher at the Finnish Institute for Educational Research.
For the purposes of the feasibility study, to be conducted in Finland in 2010-2011, a total of 1 000 - 2 000 students in the final stages of Bachelor's degree studies at ten institutions of higher education will be selected.
In 2012 the OECD will take a decision on launching the research project proper.
Timo Sillanpää