NAVIGATING THE ASSESSMENT OF PRIOR LEARNING Geoff Peruniak, Ph.D., Athabasca University Building Tomorrow Today Conference June 11, 2009

Introduction n Outline of Session n Thinking about PLA – archery n Components of a portfolio – chronological record, learning outcomes, what you learned, documentation n Time for questions n Check

Bow and Arrow Metaphor n Target – assessors n Bow – preparatory course n Arrow - portfolio

Definition of PLA n “A process and a series of tools that assist adults in reflecting upon, articulating, and demonstrating learning for the purpose of having it measured, compared to some standard, and in some way acknowledged by a credentialing body.” (Sargent, 1999, p. 28) [1]. The set of procedures can vary from the relatively straightforward, where a candidate writes a challenge examination, to a more complex form where a candidate is interviewed by a departmental panel of professors, to the very complex where an institution’s entire curriculum is based on a competence-based format. [1] Sargent, B. (1999). An examination of the relationship between completion of a prior learning assessment program and subsequent degree Program participation, persistence, and attainment. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Sarasota, Sarasota, Florida.[1]

Familiarity with PLA? n Heard about it but don’t know much? n Read accounts of it? n Have seen a completed portfolio? n Have done a portfolio? n Have implemented a PLA system?

Getting in the Mood for Prior Learning Assessment 1. Exercise

PHASE 1. Before You Go For PLAR n The Situation u What Program/Credential? u What Credit Do You Have Already? u What Form of PLA is Available and Appropriate? n The Challenge – Stepping Back n The Good News

PHASE 2. In Portfolio Assessment n The Situation n The Challenge n The Good News

Assessment Options Brent Sargent, Ph.D., Vermont State Colleges

Example of Course- Based Portfolio Learning Outcome Description of Experience Learning From Experience Documentation Define the working alliance and describe its main components

Portfolio Components n Personal History Timeline n Career and Educational Goals Narrative n Learning Statements n Learning Summary n Documentation of your Learning, Including Transcripts n Complete Résumé

Learning Outcomes 1.Define the working alliance and describe its main components. 2.Describe the relationship between the working alliance and counselling. 3.Explain how client and counsellor characteristics influence the working alliance. 4.Describe strategies for enhancing the working alliance that address issues of (a) motivation and (b) client resistance. 5.(a) Discuss the potential problems, including role conflict and role ambiguity, associated with a working alliance that involves a boss and a subordinate and (b) outline strategies for dealing with these problems. 6.(a) Describe a taxonomy of communication skills for creating a working alliance and (b) demonstrate the use of such skills. 7.Continue for 6 more...

PHASE 3. After You Have Finished Portfolio Assessment nThe Situation nThe Challenges nThe Good News

Conclusion n Wrap Up n Questions?????