1. VNIL IN THE IVORY TOWER:
Non-Formal and Informal Learning in the Context of Higher Education in the United States
Marc Singer, Vice Provost
Thomas Edison State University (New Jersey, USA)

2. Thomas Edison
Томас Эдисон

3. How has Prior Learning Assessment (VNIL) managed to be so successful in the United States?
Оценка

4. Background
1944: GI Bill at end of World War Two: opportunity for all veterans to attend college
New students: older, greater maturity, more experience: more self-directed
Universities created accelerated classes, other accommodations for veteran students
Older students had higher GPAs
1940s: American Council on Education began reviews of military training and courses for college credit
1947, Veterans accounted for 49 percent of college admissions. By the time the original
GI Bill ended on July 25, 1956, 7.8 million of 16 million World War II Veterans had participated
in an education or training program (

5. 1960s and 1970s University Without Walls Университет Без Стен
Why not extend opportunities to other adult students?
1967: College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams
: Founding of colleges for adult learners— Empire State College, Regents College, Thomas Edison State College
"University Without Walls" programs around the country
“You ain’t goin’ nowhere without that sheepskin, fella.”
"You're not really what we'd call executive material. We'll call if we get something."
Link to CLEP ad:
University Without Walls
Университет Без Стен

6. Experiential Learning in the Ivory Tower
A challenge to authority of the University
Learning can come from anywhere
If experiential learning can be used toward a degree, what is special about knowledge gained at a university?
To what extent should knowledge be practical?
What is the Ivory tower?
Ivory Tower
Башня из Слоновой Кости

7. If PLA is such a radical idea, why is it so accepted among US institutions?
Answer: It is not

8. Why not?
Many institutions do not recognize PLA toward their own degrees
However, such degrees are valid for graduate study, employment, etc.
Elite schools do not accept PLA, except as part of Continuing Education or as a research project (Columbia)
Some faculty feel threatened by it
Such institutions see themselves as shaping thinkers,
not validating them

9. Advantages of VNIL for US institutions
Validates students' sense of belonging—they feel valued
Validates their own knowledge and ability to learn at the college level
Helps with recruitment and retention of students
Retention
Удержание

10. Recent Developments Learning Outcomes Результаты обучения
1. More adult and non-traditional student enrollment
2. More acceptance of online learning—MOOCs
3. High tuition costs
4. Increased need for accountability: focus on outcomes/competencies
5. College Completion Agenda
2014: 8.2 million, or 41%, of all students 25 and older: NCES
leaders looking for low-cost ways to get students degrees they need
According to the College Board, the average cost of tuition and fees for the 2015–2016 school year was $32,405 at private colleges, $9,410 for state residents at public colleges, and $23,893 for out-of-state residents attending public universities
Learning Outcomes
Результаты обучения

11. Learning Outcomes Alignment
This is the key to the success of PLA/VNIL:
All methods of assessment that lead to credit must align
All methods that lead to credit
Это не так легко перевести

12. Слишком много текста Introduction to Theater (THA-101) 3.00 s.h. ***
Course Description
Examines knowledge of the fundamentals of theater art. Covers plays and theater practices from the Greeks to the present.
Learning Outcomes
Through the Portfolio Assessment process, students will demonstrate that they can appropriately address the following outcomes:
Understand and explain the different styles of dramatic literature: classical tragedy, Elizabethan tragedy, modern tragedy, comedy, Absurdism, Expressionism, modern social realism
Understand and explain the differences in staging practices of Classical Greek/Roman theaters, Elizabethan public theaters, contemporary proscenium, thrust, and arena theaters
Understand and discuss theater as an art form and how it differs from other art forms
Understand and discuss the parts of a modern realistic play
Understand and discuss theater as a collaborative art and the many kinds of artists that make it work
Слишком много текста

13. Who Does Assessment? College and University faculty
Trained to assess mastery of learning outcomes
Approach: Does the students know as much as he or she would have learned in my class?
Voluntary--helps with buy-in

14. Data: Do These Students Do Well?
US data on students who earn credit via PLA/VNIL:
56% of PLA students earned a degree (vs. 21% graduation rate for those who did not)
Greater persistence toward a degree
Students with PLA earned more credit: 53.7 credits vs credits for non-PLA (120 required for a bachelor’s degree)
Shorter time to degree: saved 6-10 months
From CAEL, Fueling the Race to Postsecondary Success (2010)
Ты наверно не обращаешь внимание на эту часть

15. Summary Recognition of veterans' learning Emergence of adult learners
Benefits for students and institutions
Students can graduate sooner, at lower cost
To make sure it is accepted and will succeed:
Focus on learning outcomes and alignment
Faculty do the assessment
Supporting data