PLAR – A Journey in Learning – Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition

PLAR – A Journey in Learning –Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition Report prepared by: Linda Ungarian, Project Administrator Pan-Canadian Gateways Project April 2005

What is PLAR? • Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition! • PLAR offers people an opportunity to create a portfolio of the learning they have achieved over their lifetime. Building a portfolio is a journey to discover the skills you have acquired and to create an awareness of the abilities you possess. “PLAR is a life inventory of your learning”. A Journey In Learning, Linda Ungarian

PLAR - 50 Years in the Making • PLAR is not a new idea! • After World War II the American Council on Education (ACE) recommended college credit be awarded for learning done during military service. • In 1974 the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) began to facilitate methods to guide educational institutions to conduct assessments of learning acquired outside of those institutions in a reliable manner. • It is not uncommon for post-secondary institutions to test students in language, mathematics, or sciences. • Once a student has been assessed on their knowledge of a particular subject the student may be placed in a more advanced class. • PLAR offers a more methodical manner in which to evaluate the college or university level of skills and knowledge that a student may possess. A Journey In Learning, Linda Ungarian

The Journey • My personal journey with PLAR continues to be an interesting learning experience. I became aware of PLAR while working on the Pan-Canadian Pathways Project ( 2002-03) http://pathways.athabascau.ca. • Pathways was followed by a more intense study on PLAR with the Pan-Canadian Gateways Project (2003-2006). http://gateways.athabascau.ca. • Gathering statistics on the use of PLAR in Canadian colleges and universities has been an ongoing activity with both projects. However, PLAR is the main focus of the Gateways Project which is where I’ve had the opportunity to learn more about the importance of PLAR to colleges, universities, government and to the individual student. A Journey In Learning, Linda Ungarian

CAPLA • Another introduction to PLAR came while attending an annual meeting of the Canadian Association of Prior Learning Assessment (CAPLA). • CAPLA has been operating since 1994 and was incorporated in 1997 as a non-profit organization. Its members are comprised of adult learners, PLA practitioners, unions, businesses, academic institutions, equity groups, occupational bodies, sectors and non-governmental organizations. CAPLA and First Nations Technical Institute have co-sponsored a yearly PLA conference in Belleville, Ontario since the mid-nineties, an event that focused on the development of local, provincial, national and international PLA strategies and programs. A great deal of information was delivered from experienced instructors of post-secondary institutions from across Canada. (Taken directly from the CAPLA site at http://www.capla.ca/Background.php) A Journey In Learning, Linda Ungarian

PLAR – Contributing to a Seamless Education • Human Resources Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) announced that with a growing shortage of skilled, trained and educated people in Canada, it is anticipated that there will be a short fall of as many as 1,000,000 people that are needed in the work force by 2010. • Having identified this need it is more important than ever that Prior Learning Assessment Recognition (PLAR) be utilized to its capacity. PLAR can aid in the creation of a seamless education process. Recognition for learning that was achieved over a person’s life is valuable and should be assessed. This can encourage people to advance their education and improve their work position, and assist others to begin the upgrading process. The sooner a person can complete their education the sooner they will advance in the workplace and earn a higher wage. A Journey In Learning, Linda Ungarian

Making a Difference • The message throughout the CAPLA conference was unmistakably clear, “PLAR is making a difference in people’s lives”. This was demonstrated with information delivered about the history of the delivery, the current process, and most importantly, evident in the video of individuals who were successful in their portfolio development. Their success stories were moving, inspiring and life changing. Recognition for learning that was achieved over a person’s life is valuable and should be assessed. A Journey In Learning, Linda Ungarian

Developing and Reviewing the Portfolio • This brings us to the evaluation process of the PLAR portfolio. It can take countless hours for a student to gather support materials for their portfolio, and to write their narratives and resumes. • It also takes a great deal of time for the portfolio to be evaluated by accredited staff at post-secondary institutions. Often there is resistance to PLAR due to the amount of time it takes away from the full slate of activities staff are already involved with. A Journey In Learning, Linda Ungarian

Challenges Many challenges to PLAR have been identified. One being resistance from some educational institutions for reasons including the following: • Ensuring that the credibility and integrity of the institution is upheld • Lack of training to do assessments • Additional time PLAR will add to their already heavy workloads • Renumeration for the additional work associated with PLAR • PLAR professional development, and • Reviewing portfolios on course-by-course basis or having a program-based review. Each method has its merit leaving no one way as being ideal. A Journey In Learning, Linda Ungarian

Solutions Some suggestions for getting faculty and staff to “get on board” include: • Have a clear policy that maintains the integrity and credibility of the institution • Create opportunities for additional training to do assessments • Ensure staff have additional time to manage portfolio review • Offer reinumeration for the additional work associated with PLAR • Direct staff to attend PLAR professional development seminars and conferences A Journey In Learning, Linda Ungarian

The Journey – Building the Portfolio • Encouraged and excited by the value of building a portfolio I began the process. Athabasca University offers a course to assist with portfolio development. AU’s Centre for Learning Accreditation also offers a handbook as a guide through the process. I chose both the course and the handbook with my focus on the BPA HS program. • Building a portfolio will take all of the guidance a person can obtain. As I went back over 30 years of my life I was constantly challenged to recall situations that would demonstrate the learning that has occurred. A Journey In Learning, Linda Ungarian

The Journey Continues • There were many victories but these were interwoven with tears and frustration. 160 examples of learning were required under five categories. The examples needed to flow from one subject to the other and in an order that would take the reader through the sequence of events where the learning occurred. • In addition a Learning Narrative and Educational Narrative were prepared together with a resume outlining a detailed list of employment and extra curricular activities. • Letters of attestation were also required from past employers and people who had witnessed my learning. This re-opened doors to relationships with people whom I had not talked with in years. It was a difficult request to make. Difficult for me but also for those to whom I made the request. Three of six responded to my request. The letters were worth the wait. A Journey In Learning, Linda Ungarian

Keeping Records • With the portfolio completed it was delivered to AU’s Centre for Accreditation for review. To date I have not heard the results but eagerly await hearing what credit towards a degree in Human Services has been earned through my life’s learning. • Even the portfolio has been a learning experience. The lesson I share with most people is that they should keep everything. All of the certificates and awards that I had earned over three decades had gone astray. Their significance held only a fleeting value for me and I never understood the importance of keeping a record of your life’s work, learning and experience. A Journey In Learning, Linda Ungarian

Learning • There is a great deal of information on Prior Learning and Assessment and Recognition and with that a world of opportunity for many. • PLAR and building a portfolio can create a renewed confidence in a person and help them to recognize their value and potential. I witnessed this in others at conferences and read about it in books on PLAR. Now the experience is mine as well and the door of opportunity has widened for continued growth, development and ‘learning’. A Journey In Learning, Linda Ungarian

PLAR – A Journey in Learning – Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition