PASCL: Peer Assessment of Student Centred Learning

The PASCL Project aimed to assist in implementing sound student-centred learning (SCL) strategies and approaches at institutional level and to foster a culture of SCL in higher education institutions across Europe.

Funding Scheme

EC’s Lifelong Learning Programme

Aims and general information

The PASCL project builds up on the vast experience of consortia partners in the field of promoting and supporting the implementation of student centred learning (SCL) in higher education. SCL goes beyond offering innovative approaches in teaching – it calls for a fundamental cultural shift, placing main emphasis on achieving intended learning outcomes and engaging students in co-creation of learning experience. Specifically, the project aimed to:

  • Develop a peer assessment framework (PASCL guidelines) for “student-centredness” of a higher education institution, which will lead to the award of a European recognition for student-centred institution. The award is there to confirm that an institution has successfully incorporated the elements of student-centred learning in its teaching and learning strategy and delivery of its education. The project is based on the consortium’s commonly agreed framework defining student centred learning and will focus on both enhancement and rewarding excellence in its provision.
  • Exploit the knowledge gathered in the project during a training for experts, three conferences and research study on SCL in Europe. The project will deploy an online repository with case studies, practical advices for implementation of student centred learning, feedback from participating institutions and students.
  • Give higher education institutions insight into their performance regarding implementing student centred learning and provide with the means for further improvements.
  • Address the question of students’ motivation to take an active role in co-creating their learning experience.
  • Give deserved visibility to the teaching mission of HE institutions, reward excellence in teaching, which is beneficial for students, institutions themselves and society
  • Facilitate peer learning through the presentation of existing practices, discussion and evaluation of the approaches in teaching and learning through the project website.

Partners

  • ESU, European Students’ Union
  • UNICA, Institutional Network of the Universities from the Capitals of Europe
  • FIER, The Finnish Institute for Educational Research
  • CEU, Central European University
  • Melius s.r.l.
  • KIC, Knowledge Innovation Centre

PASCL: Peer Assessment of Student Centred Learning

Project info

From 01 October 2013
to 31 May 2016

Project Coordinator

ESU, European Students’ Union

Relevant UNICA working group

EduLAB