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Through EDCASWorldwide Mike McDonagh and associates offer educational consultancy to further and higher
education organisations in the public sector; professional  bodies; companies; training consultants; and organisations
in the private and voluntary sector. Our main focus is on programme, course, curriculum, module development and
design at undergraduate level and postgraduate level. There is specific expertise in multidisciplinary programme design
and operation.

Other expertise includes management of programme validation, valuing learning in the work place through credit rating,
developing recognition of prior learning (RPL/APEL) systems and delivering work-based learning.There is up-to-date
experience with current developments in the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF).

 
Key areas of expertise:

1. Credit Rating/Validation
2. Curriculum Development
3. Modular Development
4. RPL/APEL/Work-based Learning
5. Qualifications Frameworks
 

Experience in these key areas:


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1. Credit Rating/Validation
    • developed a university external validation system that allows awards to be delivered by external organisations
    • developed a university credit-rating system allowing the allocation of SCQF credit and level to courses delivered
      by organisations and professional bodies
    • involvement in the SCQF College Credit Rating Pilot

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2. Curriculum Development
    • set up a university Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS)
    • utilised a university's modular system and credit system to build, develop and manage a very large flexible programme
      delivery system for awards that reflect students’ professional and career aspirations
    • reviewed and developed regulations for a university-wide modular system and credit system

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3. Modular Development
    • assisted revise and implement a university's new module system and programme framework
    • devised generic university modules that allow students to demonstrate learning that relates to their career aspirations:
      ie project modules, independent study modules and 'learning from work' modules

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4. RPL/APEL/Work-based Learning
   • devised and developed systems for allocating credit to certificated and uncertificated prior learning to allow individual
     students transfer credit from elsewhere to university programmes
   • developed and implemented a standardised university-wide RPL framework devolved to faculties and schools
   • member of Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework Implementation Sub-Group on APEL; developing the SCQF
     RPL Guidelines
   • developed 'learning from work' modules that allow students gain credit for learning from their workplace where that learning
     does not easily map onto validated modules
   • member of QAA working group on Work-based degree programmes

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5. Qualifications Frameworks
    • contributed to the wider academic community including being a member of the SCOTCAT Development Group,
      development of the SCOTCAT Quality Assurance Guidelines
   • member of the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework National Plan for Implementation of the Framework;
      contributed to various SCQF related working groups in areas such as: level descriptors, SVQ credit-rating models,
      recognition of prior learning (RPL), credit-rating, flexible delivery etc
   • active in giving conference papers/seminars on credit frameworks and use of credit-based systems; delivering seminars
      on behalf of SCQF across Scotland on credit rating to various sectors and organisations
   • member of Scottish Advisory Committee on Credit and Access (SACCA)

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Mike McDonagh (profile and statement)

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