1. Implementing the PLA Project at Valdosta State University Prior Learning Assessment Workshop Callaway Gardens Friday, April 25, 2008 Heather Brasell, Jim Nienow, Sean Lennon, Jerry Merwin, Mary Ellen Dallman, & Sharon Gravett

2. Implementing a PLA Project PLA Working Group  The Role of Faculty Assessors > Heather Brasell, Jim Nienow, & Sean Lennon  Training of Faculty Assessors > Jerry Merwin & Sean Lennon  Budget > Mary Ellen Dallman & Sheri Gravett  Evaluation > Jerry Merwin  Next Steps> Sheri Gravett, & Team 2

3. The Role of Faculty Assessors Heather Brasell, Jim Nienow, & Sean Lennon  Assessing Experience Based Learning  Role of Faculty Assessors  Decisions: Academic Rigor  Assessment  Learning Outcomes are Critical  Evaluation Instrument  Flexibility in Assessment 3

4. 4 Assessing Experience-Based Learning  Focus on learning – not just experience  Learning based on: - experience and - academic theory Learning Experience Theory

5. 5 Role of Faculty Assessors  Help determine appropriate courses based on backgrounds of students  Develop assessment methods appropriate for the course  Provide syllabus and assessment guidelines  Evaluate student documentation, portfolios, etc.

6. Decisions: Academic Rigor  Assessors establish academic legitimacy  Ownership Targeted courses Content and academic freedom Assessment Resubmission options  Validity issues Experience Documentation of learning 6

7. Assessment  Syllabus Description and Learning Outcomes  Evaluation instrument Generic rubric format Flexible to fit any course  Guidelines Suggested/required sources of evidence What is valued 7

8. 8 Learning Outcomes Are Critical Learning outcomes:  Define expectations for the target course  Define observable behaviors  Must be clear and explicit  Should include all valued components (including process skills) If learning outcomes are not explicit, students cannot be held accountable.

9. Evaluation Instrument MasterySatisfactoryUnsatisfactory Sources of Learning Evidence of Learning Objective 1 Objective 2 Objective 3, etc Alignments etc Quality of Presentation Breadth and Depth Organization Writing quality, etc 9

10. 10 Assessment method depends on the course Exam e.g. Mathematics Essay e.g. English Portfolio e.g. Science Performance e.g. Fine Arts TraditionalBehavioral Flexibility in Assessment

11. Formal Training of Faculty Assessors Jerry Merwin & Sean Lennon  Day 1 – History of PLA Pilot Project at VSU What is Prior Learning Assessment? Criteria for Quality Assurance in Assessing Prior Learning PLA fit with VSU Goals Explanations of Documentation Methods Examples of Evidence Types Case Studies of Six PLA 2000 Students Role of Faculty Assessors 11

12. Formal Training of Faculty Assessors Jerry Merwin & Sean Lennon  Day 2 – Portfolio Assessment for Faculty Workshop by Dr. Denise Hart (Director of Adult Education, Fairleigh Dickinson University) The definition of college-level credit The 10 CAEL standards for quality assurance in assessing learning Qualifications of faculty assessors The portfolio process How to train students in portfolio preparation How to assess sample portfolios, with hands-on practice 12

13. Budget Mary Ellen Dallman & Sheri Gravett 13

14. PLA Project Evaluation Jerry Merwin  Program Evaluation > Two Primary Approaches Review of Objectives and Decisions – Accomplishments  Establish Purpose, Context, Definitions, & Scope of Plan  Develop Procedures for Students from Front Door to Transcript  Develop Policies & Procedures  Establish an Infrastructure to Support PLA Process  Develop a Financial Model to Ensure Sustainability  Guarantee Program Quality  Project a Timeframe PLA 2000 Course Outcomes 14

15. PLA Project Evaluation Jerry Merwin  Program Evaluation > Two Primary Approaches Review of Objectives and Decisions – Accomplishments PLA 2000 Course Outcomes (Kirkpatrick Model*)  Reaction  Learning  Behavior  Results 15 *Kirkpatrick, Donald L. (1998). Evaluating Training Programs: The Four Levels. 2nd Edition. San Francisco: Berrett-Koehler Publishing.

16. Implementing a PLA Project PLA Working Group  Next Steps> Sheri Gravett & Team 16

17. Contacts at VSU  Questions for Assessors: Middle, Secondary, Reading, and Deaf Education (MSED)  Heather Brasell hbrasell@valdosta.edu  Sean Lennon smlennon@valdosta.edusmlennon@valdosta.edu Science & Mathematics  Jim Nienow jnienow@valdosta.edu  Arsalan Wares awares@valdosta.edu

18. Contacts at VSU  PLA Working Group (Other than assessors) Beverley Blake brblake@valdosta.edubrblake@valdosta.edu Mary Ellen Dallman medallma@valdosta.edumedallma@valdosta.edu Sheri Gravett sgravett@valdosta.edusgravett@valdosta.edu Christine James chjames@valdosta.educhjames@valdosta.edu Karen Shepard kshepard@valdosta.edukshepard@valdosta.edu Jerry Merwin gamerwin@valdosta.edugamerwin@valdosta.edu Barbara Stanley bstanley@valdosta.edubstanley@valdosta.edu

19. Heather Brasell*MSRD hbrasell@valdosta.edu Mary Ellen DallmanECED medallma@valdosta.edu Sheri GravettENGL sgravett@valdosta.edu Christine JamesPHIL chjames@valdosta.edu Sean Lennon*MSRD smlennon@valdosta.edu Jerry MerwinPOLS-PA gamerwin@valdosta.edu Jim Neinow*BIOL jnienow@valdosta.edu Beverley BlakeOasis brblake@valdosta.edu Karen ShepardRegistrar's Office kshepard@valdosta.edu Barbara StanleyMSRD bstanley@valdosta.edu Arsalan Wares*MATH awares@valdosta.edu *Assessors PLA Working Group at VSU Names, Departments, Email addresses