Introduction to Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) Barbara Miron, Coordinator, Adult Basic Education Education, Culture and Employment 2009 LINX Conference

Overview  What is PLAR?  Different Kinds of Learning  Assessment of Learning  PLAR Portfolios  Documentation of Learning  Recognition of Learning  PLAR Activity

What is PLAR?What is PLAR?  PLAR is a fresh way of looking at how people gain knowledge and skills.  PLAR recognizes learning that is derived from an experience, not the experience itself.  PLAR is a process which identifies, assesses and recognizes what a person knows (knowledge) and can do (skills).  Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is another term used to describe this process.

Different Kinds of LearningDifferent Kinds of Learning  Formal learning: learning that occurs through an accredited program in an academic institution and is documented on a transcript.  Informal learning: the lifelong process of acquiring knowledge and skills from daily experience at work, at home, on the land and in the community.  Non-formal learning: learning that occurs through organized activities outside of a formal educational system.

Assessment of LearningAssessment of Learning Prior learning has to be measured against an established set of standards:  Learner outcomes from recognized courses  Descriptive list of competencies  Skills checklists.

Principles of Quality AssessmentPrinciples of Quality Assessment  Rigorous – equivalent to the expected level for classroom learning.  Transparent – learners must be informed about how they will be evaluated.  Fair – unbiased, treating all learners equally.  Flexible – open to a wide range of ways of learning and knowing the content.

Flexible Assessment MethodsFlexible Assessment Methods  Self-assessment narratives and checklists  Product assessment, work samples  Projects, assignments, case studies  Reports, logs, journals  Written and oral challenge exams  Signed verifications  Skills demonstrations, performance assessments  Simulations, role plays  Interviews, oral presentations  Portfolio review, evidence collection  Evaluation of program equivalencies

PLAR PortfolioPLAR Portfolio  A detailed document, which describes and verifies your knowledge, skills and achievements as well as your personal goals.  Tells who you are, what you have done, what you have learned and what your goals are.  Provides evidence of your learning.  Can be used for personal growth, seeking employment and applying for course credit.

Developing a PLAR PortfolioDeveloping a PLAR Portfolio  Life mapping to identify learning from life and work experience.  Identify knowledge and skills gained from life and work experience.  Relate learning to career and education goals.  Compile evidence to document knowledge and skills.

Contents of a PLAR PortfolioContents of a PLAR Portfolio  Cover page  Table of contents  Letter of introduction  Career and education goals  Resume  Learning outcomes or skills statements  Documentation of learning

Documentation of LearningDocumentation of Learning  Direct evidence: anything that is produced by the individual.  Indirect evidence: information about the individual from another source.  Self-assessment: an individual’s own assessment or narrative about his or her learning.

Recognition of LearningRecognition of Learning After prior learning has been assessed, it can be recognized in several ways:  Course credit with an educational institution  Advanced standing in a course or program of study  Workplace performance appraisals  New employment opportunities.

PLAR ActivityPLAR Activity 1. List 2 – 3 significant learning experiences in your life. 2. Briefly state what you learned through these experiences.

PLAR ActivityPLAR Activity  Working with a partner, categorize the learning experience you have listed as informal learning, formal learning or non-formal learning.  Formal learning: learning that occurs through an accredited program in an academic institution and is documented on a transcript.  Informal learning: the lifelong process of acquiring knowledge and skills from daily experience at work, at home, on the land and in the community.  Non-formal learning: learning that occurs through organized activities outside of a formal educational system.

PLAR ActivityPLAR Activity  Select one learning experience from your list.  Working with another partner, brainstorm ways that that you could prove your learning.

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