Awarding Credit for Experiential Learning: Innovative and Flexible Approaches for Online Students
Abstract: Empire State College, of the State University of New York, offers innovative and flexible approaches to Prior Learning Assessment and Professional Evaluation, especially for students who work fully online. Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) is the recognition of college-level knowledge gained outside of formal education and the awarding of college credit for that knowledge. Professional Learning Evaluation (PLE) is credit given for licensure, certification, and training as reviewed by the American Council on Education, or by individual colleges via teams of faculty and outside experts. A particular and relatively unique philosophy of prior learning assessment and professional learning evaluation underlies ESC’s approach. Examples of innovations in PLA, geared toward online students, include a framework for considering prior learning in terms of college-level knowledge, and competency-based PLA guides. Flexible approaches to professional learning evaluation include different ways to evaluate knowledge from workplace training. Both PLA and PLE help make the process of knowledge creation and the nature of college-level learning more fully visible to students. Both support student reflection and motivation, and thus support self-regulated learning.