By Sheryl ZornesBy Sheryl ZornesAdministrative Assistant Administrative Assistant Pan Canadian Gateways Pan Canadian Gateways

ProjectProject

By Sheryl ZornesBy Sheryl ZornesAdministrative Assistant Administrative Assistant Pan Canadian Gateways Pan Canadian Gateways

ProjectProject

Think of all of the experiences Think of all of the experiences that you have had in your that you have had in your lifetime and all of the valuable lifetime and all of the valuable information you have learned information you have learned from them. Wouldn’t it be nice from them. Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to earn College or to be able to earn College or University credit for some of University credit for some of this learning…this learning…

… … Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) can do just that for you! Prior Learning (PLAR) can do just that for you! Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition is when a institution Assessment and Recognition is when a institution takes a look at the knowledge and skills that a student takes a look at the knowledge and skills that a student has and decides if this knowledge is equal to that has and decides if this knowledge is equal to that obtained in a course or program and, if it is, credit obtained in a course or program and, if it is, credit can be awarded. Prior Learning Assessments are can be awarded. Prior Learning Assessments are becoming more and more common at colleges and becoming more and more common at colleges and universities across the globe. Students must universities across the globe. Students must demonstrate that their prior learning is equivalent to demonstrate that their prior learning is equivalent to that acquired through courses or outcomes within that acquired through courses or outcomes within their program. There are many variances between their program. There are many variances between institutions on what is considered transferable for institutions on what is considered transferable for receiving prior learning credit. Each institution receiving prior learning credit. Each institution determines how many credits they can and will award determines how many credits they can and will award through PLAR. through PLAR.

PLA and PLAR- Defining the PLA and PLAR- Defining the LanguageLanguage

A Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) is the A Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) is the development stage of the process where development stage of the process where the student prepares their information to the student prepares their information to be reviewed for credit and submits it to be reviewed for credit and submits it to the institution.the institution.

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) describes the whole process of (PLAR) describes the whole process of going through the steps to present the going through the steps to present the evidence, submit to the institution, and evidence, submit to the institution, and receiving credit. receiving credit.

Just as PLA processes differ across the globe, so does the Just as PLA processes differ across the globe, so does the language. Some commonly used names for PLA include: language. Some commonly used names for PLA include:

Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) Flexible AssessmentFlexible Assessment Assessment of Prior Learning (APL)Assessment of Prior Learning (APL) Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) And Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL)And Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL)

Seminars and conferences, experience in the workplace, independent study, life experiences, volunteering, travel, hobbies, family experiences, continuing education, personal achievements, employment training, language training, corporate training, significant skills, military service, non-credit courses, in-service training, certified professional training, political activities, etc.

Though it differs from institution to institution, some examples of different sources

for awarding credits from a Prior Learning Assessment include :

Different Methods of PLAR…Different Methods of PLAR…

Credit can be awarded for a Credit can be awarded for a Prior Learning Assessment in Prior Learning Assessment in a number of ways.a number of ways.

Portfolio Portfolio AssessmentAssessment- assemble and submit to the - assemble and submit to the institution all information that institution all information that you find relevant to your you find relevant to your learning in Portfolio form. learning in Portfolio form. - institution reviews and - institution reviews and appropriate credit is awarded.appropriate credit is awarded.

……Different Methods of PLAR…Different Methods of PLAR…Portfolio Assessment Support Portfolio Assessment Support

DocumentsDocuments

……Different Methods of PLAR…Different Methods of PLAR…Portfolio Assessment Support Portfolio Assessment Support

DocumentsDocumentsSome documents that are commonly used in

portfolios include:

Certificates Diplomas Performance assessments and evaluations

……Different Methods of Different Methods of PLAPLA

Other commonly used methods for awarding credit through a PLA include:- course challenges

- written or oral examinations

- interviews

- skills demonstration

- a workplace assessment

- or a proficiency exam.

PLAR Credit AwardsPLAR Credit AwardsJust as methods and sources for PLAR vary from institution to Just as methods and sources for PLAR vary from institution to

institution, so does the amount of credits awarded for a PLAR. institution, so does the amount of credits awarded for a PLAR.

Some institutions award a maximum of 50% of the credits needed for a Some institutions award a maximum of 50% of the credits needed for a diploma/certificate through PLAR while others will award up to 75%. diploma/certificate through PLAR while others will award up to 75%.

Some institutions offer 30 Credits from a PLAR while others offer 60.Some institutions offer 30 Credits from a PLAR while others offer 60.

Also, the awarded credit may come from combinations of different Also, the awarded credit may come from combinations of different PLAR methods. PLAR methods.

PLAR can also be used for a means of program entry. PLAR can also be used for a means of program entry.

Some institutions offer a 1-3 credit course that teaches students how Some institutions offer a 1-3 credit course that teaches students how to build their portfolio to help assist the PLAR process. Not all courses to build their portfolio to help assist the PLAR process. Not all courses

or programs are necessarily open for PLAR. or programs are necessarily open for PLAR.

Some Prior Learning Assessment Some Prior Learning Assessment organizations in Canada and the organizations in Canada and the world include:world include:

• CAPLA- the Canadian Association for Prior Learning CAPLA- the Canadian Association for Prior Learning AssessmentAssessment

• PLAR in ManitobaPLAR in Manitoba• The PLA Centre- HalifaxThe PLA Centre- Halifax• CAPL- Centre for Assessment of Prior Learning- New CAPL- Centre for Assessment of Prior Learning- New

ZealandZealand

PLAR credit is awarded for the PLAR credit is awarded for the knowledge and skills learned from an knowledge and skills learned from an experience, not the experience itself. experience, not the experience itself. When applying for PLAR be sure that When applying for PLAR be sure that you have evidence that you have you have evidence that you have gained knowledge and skills that match gained knowledge and skills that match outcomes identified for a particular outcomes identified for a particular course. course.

While doing research I found that PLAR is practiced in many countries across the world. Though some colleges/universities have no PLAR policy, there are many others that have begun practicing PLAR and incorporating it into their programs and courses.

CanadaCanada The United StatesThe United States AustraliaAustralia New ZealandNew Zealand BelgiumBelgium IrelandIreland

FinlandFinland South AfricaSouth Africa GermanyGermany ScotlandScotland JamaicaJamaica

PLAR is accepted and/or developed PLAR is accepted and/or developed through institutions in:through institutions in:

So, when considering going back to school for post secondary education, start thinking about your life and all of the things that you have learned through your experiences. It is well worth while to get credit for this kind of learning. It is a positive experience to look reflect on yourself and your accomplishments.