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2. Prior Learning 101 – Session 5 Work Experiences – Tab IV

3. Prior Learning 101 Webinar– Session 5
Ray Francis
Faculty, Department of Teacher Education and Professional Development
Part 1 - Overview – Tabs, Table of Contents
Part 2 - Work Experiences – Tab IV
Part 3 - Worksheets
Part 4 - Helpful Resources
Prior Learning
Portfolio Program

4. OVERVIEW: Tabs, Table of Contents and Worksheets
The Portfolio Tabs:
The Prior Learning Portfolio is organized into a series of tabs which contain the required documents and writings that make up your portfolio. Behind each of the tabs you will include your forms and documents*. The three tabs that make up the majority of your portfolio are: Tab IV – Work Experiences; Tab V – Training Experiences; and Tab VI – Life Experiences
The Table of Contents – Tab III
1. The Table of Contents will help you to label and organize your experiences.
2. List all experiences in chronological order.
3. There are three sections of the Table of Contents for your work, training and life experiences.
4. The Table of Contents is a fillable form, under forms on the PLA WebSite.
Worksheets.
The work sheets are an important tool for you to use in developing and drafting your portfolio. Worksheets are not submitted with your portfolio. The downloadable worksheets will help you to convert each listed item in to a detailed explanation of the knowledge, description of learning and the skills you have acquired. Using the worksheets, you should:
Focus on and explain the learning you gained from the experience.
Clearly describe how you applied this knowledge to your work, training and life experiences.
Identify a specific ‘learning competency title’ for which you want credit.
Develop an argument for each competency based on a three-part structure; a) claim, b) supporting evidence; and c) reasoning.
*Most of the forms and worksheets for the Prior Learning Portfolio are fillable and already formatted in the required standards (typeface and size). You must use the fillable forms to complete your portfolio. All forms are downloadable; you will need Acrobat Reader installed (it’s free).
OVERVIEW: Tabs, Table of Contents and Worksheets
What is the Prior Learning Portfolio Program?
Students create a portfolio in which they write assessments of what they have learned and how they have applied it in the workplace or in life. Undergraduate or graduate college credits are awarded based on your written assessments tied to college level competencies.
YOUR portfolio is prepared by YOU on YOUR schedule. Based on an average 24* undergraduate credits awarded, these credits would take the average undergraduate student 2 – 4 semesters to complete (based on 8-three credit courses). The average graduate credits awarded are 6* which would represent 1- 2 semesters based on 2-three credit course) *the potential awards are based on a number of criteria including time on job, dates, competencies etc.
Undergraduate students can earn up to 60* credits towards select degrees and graduate students can earn up to 10* credits towards select degrees.
Not having to spend the time in class to earn credits gives you more time for your jobs, families, other classes or other activities.
This represents a significant TIME SAVINGS FOR YOU!
Tabs, Table of Contents and Worksheets
Prior Learning Portfolio Program

5. Tab IV – Work Experiences
The majority of credits awarded to students come from work experiences.
Spend time developing your self-assessment for the IV Tab.
Explain the learning that occurred during the experience (not what you did, what you learned).
Go in reverse chronological order (your most recent experience first).
Create a separate tab for each position held (even if in the same company).
Each experience in the IV Tab will be listed as sub-tabs (Tab IV-1, Tab IV-2, Tab IV-3 and so on).
Experiences may overlap but you will need to explain how your time was distributed for each position.
About College Level Learning and Assessment writing: Evaluators do not grant credit simply for the amount of time you work but rather on your written self-assessment of what you have learned in the competency you have identified based on your job description and skills. Your writing will be looked at to determine what college-level skills you HAVE LEARNED in your job role. Your written self-assessments must reflect college level writing. Each competency is equivalent to 3 hours of credit for either undergraduate or graduate learning as reflected in your writing. Please review the Writers Checklist on our Prior Learning website and take advantage of the CMU Writing Center.
IV – Interactive Form This form will list your job title, company and to and from dates of employment (month and year). The three-part form consists of the following:
Job Description
Competency Title and 750-1,000 word narrative detailing what knowledge and skills you have acquired.
Supporting Documentation
Always list experiences in reverse chronological order listing the most recent first.
In addition to the significant time savings that can be achieved through the Prior Learning Portfolio process, there is also a SIGNIFICANT MONEY SAVINGS to submit a portfolio and pay for the credits awarded.
The cost to submit a portfolio is a low fee of $125 and includes unlimited submission of portfolios beyond your initial portfolio should you want to attempt to gain more credits.
Undergraduate students pay 77+% LESS per credit hour than the regular in-state tuition rate for undergraduate credits awarded.
Graduate students pay 85+% LESS per credit hour than the regular in-state tuition rate for graduate credits awarded
24 undergraduate credits awarded* would cost approximately $2,280 vs. $9,720**
6 graduate credits awarded* would cost approximately $570 vs. $3,600**
*based on the average awarded credits per undergraduate or graduate portfolios
** based on current tuition rates for undergraduate and graduate in-state tuition
Prior Learning Portfolio Program
IV - Work

6. We Are Here to Help RESOURCES YOUR success is OUR success!
In Person – if you are in the Mt. Pleasant, Michigan area, you can schedule an appointment with our Prior Learning staff located in the College of Education & Human Services, 195 Ojibway Ct., Room Call (866) , option #1.
Phone – call our Prior Learning staff members who can assist you over the phone. Call (866) , option #1.
– send your questions to us via
Webinar Series: our monthly live webinars will continue and focus on specific topics helpful to you as you begin the Prior Learning Portfolio process
Online Office Hours: online office hours are scheduled several times monthly where you can join others in an online setting to get guidance and address questions pertaining to your portfolio planning and process. Check our webpage for more details.
Writing Center and Writing Workshops – as a CMU student, you have access to the Writing Center. You can submit your writings online and they will be reviewed by a Writing Center consultant and returned to you with comments. Check our main Prior Learning webpage for any Writing Workshops that may be scheduled (in person or online). Visit the Writing Center online at
Webpage – our webpage has a wealth of information to assist you in planning, preparing and submitting a portfolio. The web page has links to worksheets/templates, a comprehensive Student Handbook, FAQs, links to archived webinars, video briefings and much more. .
Prior Learning Portfolio Program
RESOURCES

7. Thank you for attending today’s webinar.
Please check our webpage for the next “Topic” in the Prior Learning 101 series.
YOUR success is OUR success!