Why PLAR or RPLA

Why PLAR or RPLAWhy PLAR or RPLA

Holland CollegeHolland CollegeFebruary, 2006February, 2006

Dr. Ingrid CrowtherDr. Ingrid [email protected]@athabascau.ca

Top Eight Myths of PLARTop Eight Myths of PLAR

Myth OneMyth One

You are giving credit away.You are giving credit away.

Giving Credit Away?Giving Credit Away?

Giving credit where credit is dueGiving credit where credit is due

Enable life-long learningEnable life-long learning

Increased motivation to learnIncreased motivation to learn


Myth TwoMyth Two

PLAR decreases the credibility of the PLAR decreases the credibility of the credential.credential.

Decreased Credibility of Credential?Decreased Credibility of Credential?

Students with PLAR embedded Students with PLAR embedded

Obtain as high or higher grades than Obtain as high or higher grades than their contemporariestheir contemporaries

Take more classesTake more classes

Have higher rates of graduationHave higher rates of graduation

Transfer effectively to other post-Transfer effectively to other post-graduate programsgraduate programs


Myth ThreeMyth Three

PLAR decreases revenue of students PLAR decreases revenue of students who should be attending classes.who should be attending classes.

Decreases Revenue?Decreases Revenue?Increased revenue as different student Increased revenue as different student base is attracted to college programs – base is attracted to college programs – mature students, immigrant populationsmature students, immigrant populationsIncreased revenue through skill/knowledge Increased revenue through skill/knowledge gap educational/training opportunitiesgap educational/training opportunitiesFee generating for portfolio development Fee generating for portfolio development and assessmentand assessmentIncreased opportunities for partnerships to Increased opportunities for partnerships to fill training/education needsfill training/education needs

Decreases Revenue?Decreases Revenue?Findings from Best Practices of PLAR – Findings from Best Practices of PLAR –

AlbertaAlbertaRecruitment toolRecruitment toolPerk to studentsPerk to studentsExcellent retention strategyExcellent retention strategy

Increased need for part time study – Increased need for part time study – estimated 60% of students enrolled in estimated 60% of students enrolled in part-time educationpart-time education

Europe – an e-portfolio in the hands of every Europe – an e-portfolio in the hands of every worker by 2010.worker by 2010.


Myth FourMyth Four

Graduates with PLAR embedded in Graduates with PLAR embedded in their credential will find it more their credential will find it more difficult to get employment.difficult to get employment.

Lack of Employment?Lack of Employment?

Changed preference – value Changed preference – value individual with PLAR embeddedindividual with PLAR embedded

Meets changing market demands of Meets changing market demands of information age skillsinformation age skills


Myth FiveMyth Five

PLAR is non-sustainable.PLAR is non-sustainable.

Non-Sustainable?Non-Sustainable?Excellent methodology for sustainability Excellent methodology for sustainability

Collaborative processCollaborative process

Responsive to current research on adult Responsive to current research on adult learning and assessment of learninglearning and assessment of learning

Part of a demand driven educational Part of a demand driven educational systemsystem

Suitable for individual or sector Suitable for individual or sector implementationimplementation


Myth SixMyth Six

We are oversubscribed. We do not We are oversubscribed. We do not need it.need it.

Do not Need It?Do not Need It?

Aging populationAging population

Fewer children to fill seatsFewer children to fill seats

Increased immigrationIncreased immigration

Move toward demand driven Move toward demand driven educational systemeducational system

Continued training needsContinued training needs

Competitiveness in global economyCompetitiveness in global economy


Myth SevenMyth Seven

This adds additional load on already This adds additional load on already overburdened faculty.overburdened faculty.

Additional LoadAdditional Load

PLAR needs to become an integral PLAR needs to become an integral part of each program part of each program

Policies set to acknowledge work Policies set to acknowledge work loadsloads

Procedures put in placeProcedures put in place


Myth EightMyth Eight

Can’t do because of lack of expertise Can’t do because of lack of expertise to mentor and assessto mentor and assess

Lack of Expertise?Lack of Expertise?

Best practices dictateBest practices dictate

Training of mentors and assessorsTraining of mentors and assessors

Support structures – mentors for Support structures – mentors for mentors, resource materials mentors, resource materials

System NeedsSystem Needs

Collaborative process – faculty, Collaborative process – faculty, administration, support staff, administration, support staff, government, employersgovernment, employers

PoliciesPolicies

ProceduresProcedures

Establishment of target field and Establishment of target field and marketmarket

Support structuresSupport structures

System NeedsSystem NeedsArticulations – external and internalArticulations – external and internalFlexibilityFlexibilityReview processReview processEnabling environmentEnabling environmentInfrastructureInfrastructureAssessor/mentor trainingAssessor/mentor trainingResource developmentResource developmentQuality assuranceQuality assuranceOutcome-based program and course Outcome-based program and course outcomes/competenciesoutcomes/competencies

Decision MakingDecision Making

Type of PLAR?Type of PLAR?

Skill-gap possibilitiesSkill-gap possibilities

Paradigm shiftParadigm shift

FlexibilityFlexibility

UniquenessUniqueness

Why PLAR or RPLA

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