| Online PLA
Certificate Program
Learn to develop a professional portfolio assessment system
for your institution, or strengthen your institution’s
existing prior learning assessment (PLA) programs, by completing
the online PLA certificate program. Offered by the Council
for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) this program provides
the basic tools to develop skills and procedures for assessing
adults’ prior learning. The program is delivered over
the Internet, allowing you to participate at any time, from
any place, all you need is e-mail capability and a web browser.
CAEL is a pioneer in the field of prior learning assessment.
In 1974, CAEL took the lead in articulating the philosophical
basis for PLA as well as developing a set of policies and
procedures for performing it in an academically sound manner.
CAEL is a leader in training adult learning practitioners
and preparing institutions to provide quality prior learning
assessment programs. Today, in response to the unique needs
of adult learners, colleges nationwide conduct prior learning
assessment and use the CAEL models as their guide to quality
assurance.
How Does it Work?
The PLA certificate program consists of four web-based workshops
each with 4-7 modules. During each 4-week workshop, participants
work through a series of structured activities employing online
and off-line materials. Each group of participants is assigned
an online consultant to facilitate learning and provide feedback.
Participants may discuss issued and activities within their
learning group.
Completion of the first two workshops leads to a Certificate
of Professional Achievement as a Prior Learning Assessor.
Participants who successfully complete all four facilitated
workshops will be granted a Certificate of Mastery in Prior
Learning Assessment.
The Online Program will help you to:
- Understand principles of experiential learning, including
the value of experiential learning for adults.
- Understand and apply the steps and procedures in the
PLA process.
- Understand the links between experience and learning,
and be able to determine college-level learning gained from
experience.
- Discriminate between college-level and pre-college-level
learning.
- Understand the history and development of prior learning
assessment.
- Know and be able to apply principles of best practice
in prior learning assessment.
- Apply administrative principles of prior learning assessment
within the context of your institution.
- Be able to articulate to various audiences the value
of prior learning assessment.
This program provides an opportunity to certify your knowledge and application of the CAEL Standards and Principles for assessment as an individual practitioner. It does not certify the practices and policies of programs, organizations, or institutions.
The Next PLA Online Workshop Series begins on June 9, 2008.
To register Click here, or visit http://www.learning.depaul.edu/info/pla
Ten Standards of Assessing Learning |
