Evidencing competence in a challenging world. European higher education initiatives to define, measure and compare learning

The well-known tripartite expression, ‘Tell me and I’ll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I’ll understand’, is a powerful expression of what still represents the struggle of learning, that is to make learners knowledgeable, skilled and therefore competent. The expression reflects well the basic concept applied in a recent initiative to measure and compare learning in higher education in Europe. This paper outlines the philosophy of the CALOHEE project, the context in which it was set up, the phases distinguished and the process followed, the outcomes so far, the intended testing model and next steps.