Transcript Taking Prior Learning Assessment to the Next Level

MICHIGAN COLLEGE SUCCESS NETWORK
J A N U A RY 1 8 , 2 0 1 3
PLA: Are You Ready?
GOALS FOR THIS MORNING
 Quick overview of CAEL
 Prior Learning Assessment
Overview
 PLA case study
 LearningCounts.org
 Q & A, Discussion
2
Council for Adult and Experiential Learning
A 501(c)(3) non-profit, international organization with nearly
40 years of lifelong learning experience
National leader in PLA best practices, research, and writing
Dedicated to removing barriers to adult learning
Recognized by regional accrediting bodies
3
WHAT IS PLA?
Prior Learning Assessment is a process for
evaluating knowledge and skills in order to award college
credit for college-level learning from:
On-the-job
learning
Corporate
training
Independent
study, such
as MOOC’s
Military
service
Volunteer
service
4
PLA TAKES MANY FORMS
Student Portfolio
Standardized tests
ACE recommended credit
Transfer credit
5
College Credit
FUELINGTHE RACETO POSTSECONDARY
SUCCESS
A 48-Institution Study of Prior Learning Assessment and Adult Student Outcomes
 Background on LearningCounts.org
 Reviewed over a 7-year period
 Compared students with PLA credits to
those without PLA credits
 PLA increases graduation rates and
persistence; decreases time to degree
completion
Funded by the Lumina Foundation, March 2010
6
HOW PLA CAN HELP: Graduation Rates
Associate Degree
students are
twice as likely to
persist to
graduation.
Fueling the Race to Postsecondary Success, CAEL, March 2010
LEARNINGCOUNTS.ORG
7
EVERYONE WINS WITH PLA
The principle:
Only pay once for college level learning
 Worker: Saves time
 Employers: Increases pool of trained and
educated workers
 Regional Economy: Shorter time to a prepared
workforce
 Workforce System: Saves time AND money
Bottom line: It’s worth it!
THE NEW PLA
TRADITIONAL PLA
P L A TO D AY
 Learning derived
from past
experiences
 Learning derived
from 5 minutes ago
 Many years of onthe-job learning
from experience
 MOOCs, iTunes
University, Khan
Academy
 Non-credit courses
with for-credit
content
 More granular
learning,
competencies
 For-credit tests
 Badges
 Just-in-time training
9
SUCCESSFUL STUDENT PROFILE
 Understands the time commitment involved in building a
portfolio
 Has selected portfolio development course with advising
assistance
 Has strong writing skills
 Has access to a computer with Internet access and is a
good candidate for online learning
 Has a degree plan (no duplicate courses)
10
11
PATRIOTIC PAT CASE STUDY
 Military Veteran
 Volunteer
Firefighter
 Works for pool
company
 Speaks fluent
Spanish
 No college
courses
1. Does Pat have
PLA?
2. What should
Pat do to make
sure his PLA is
recognized?
3. What is the
best pathway
for Pat at your
college?
12
WHY LEARNINGCOUNTS?
 Not enough colleges granting credit for prior learning
 Need for consistent standards
 Adult learners are not aware of PLA so they often
repeat what they already know
 Need for a national, online approach with easy access
 Ability to use faculty experts nationwide to review
learning portfolios in various disciplines using the
CAEL portfolio assessment rubric for high quality
assessments
13
WHY LEARNINGCOUNTS?
1.
One-Stop shop for PLA portal
2.
Free PLA advising
3.
Individualized portfolio development and
assessment
4.
LearningCounts.org helps adult learners
discover the multiple ways they can
demonstrate their college-level learning
acquired outside of traditional academia
to earn college credit for what they
already know.
14
Students have the option to
speak one-on one with a PLA advisor
to find out which PLA option is right for them
LEARNINGCOUNTS COURSES
Choose from two courses:
Course Name
Credit Hours
Course Length
Description
Start Dates
Cost
CAEL 100
3
6 weeks
This is an instructor-led, online course with
weekly assignments. At the end of the course
is an optional 2 week facilitated portfolio
development workshop. Expect to dedicate 810 hours per week to finish assignments and
plan on additional hours for building your
portfolio. This course delves into experiential
learning theory, concepts, and models.
Develop Your Portfolio for College
Credit (DYP)
0
Self-paced
This is a self-paced, interactive online workshop
course that can be taken at any time and from any
computer or tablet with an Internet connection.
The course consists of 8 modules that can be
completed in 4-6 hours. Expect to spend 10-20
hours to research and develop the materials for
the portfolio. The first two modules of the DYP
course for are available online free here!
24 course starts each year
Any time, open enrollment
$500
$129
16
PARTNER NETWORK
17
EXAMPLES OF PARTNERSHIPS
• Seattle Apprenticeship Program
• PASSHE
• Employers
18
FOUNDATION SUPPORT
19
For more information, please contact:
Amy Sherman & Gabi Zolla
D: 312-499-2637 (Gabi Work)
[email protected]
[email protected]
20