Category: Education & Human Development Programs

Prior Learning Assessment – Brief overview of an extensive learning advantage

Prior Learning Assessment – Brief overview of an extensive learning advantage

What is PLA?

prior-learning-assessmentThe Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) is a systematic approach of comparing and evaluating formal and informal learning accumulated through various situations and activities carried on at work, in school and throughout life against the requirements of an academic program of studies. Its history and beginnings go all the way back to post-World War II era when veterans requested that their formal and informal learning achieved during military service be recognized with academic credit normally reserved for formal learning (Shelton and Armistead, 1989).

How does it work?

There are many methods of substantiating and evaluating prior learning, from documentation via portfolios, transcripts, certificates, and licenses to demonstration through standard exams, oral interviews, product samples, and performance tests (Knapp and Sharon, 1975).

The University of Louisville has incorporated the PLA element into its Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership and Learning (BSOLL) online program, and works with each student individually to identify the best evaluation method for granting college credit.

At UofL, PLA also aligns with the concept that learning is the product of various activities and situations and that learning is continuous. Even when your life gets in the way of your educational goals or you are forced by life circumstances to put your education on hold, you continue to learn and accumulate knowledge and skills that can translate into college credits.

As you begin the BSOLL online program, in the first major course, ELFH 300 – Prior Learning Assessment, you can document and evaluate learning from work experiences, existing course credits and associate degrees, technical and specialized training to receive credit for the specialization.

During this 3 credit hour course, you may earn up to 48 credit hours in the specialization component at no cost (equivalent of 16 courses tuition-free!). That could amount to more than a third of the entire degree credit requirement, which could get you even closer to reaching your end-goal. After completing the PLA course, you can proceed to the remaining courses in the designated track.

“Our first priority is our students’ success and ensuring that they capitalize on all the time spent learning throughout their career. The BS OLL PLA Class gives our students the opportunity to reflect and show evidence of their workplace knowledge from training, development, continuing education, and overall work experience. Each student has the opportunity to share the value of their work-related experiences, and infuse these experiences in the PLA Portfolio.” says Dr. Terri Rowland, Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership and Learning (B.S. OLL) Program Director and Clinical Assistant Professor.

She added “The culmination and successful completion of a PLA Portfolio can lead to earning up to 48 hours of college credit and we believe that this makes it cost-effective and is a great opportunity for our BS OLL students who are working full-time, serving our country or raising a family!”

While the definition and application of PLA is somewhat fluent and may vary from one field to another, most experts agree that PLA is based on five core norms:

  1. learning is continuous and occurs across the lifespan
  2. learning can happen in formal, informal, and non‐formal contexts
  3. learning can be equally valuable and significant whether gained from a formal or informal context
  4. formal learning outcomes can serve as a measure for all other types of learning
  5. if learning from various contexts is equivalent to format learning, it should be recognized and credited as such.

Because all learning is considered valuable, PLA reflects learning from sources such as family, school, work, community, volunteer, hobby, military, and even travel. Most often, the university prior learning credit is given for learning from on-the- job training and development, continuing educational units, or unaccredited college courses, as well as CLEP tests. Credit is not awarded for work experience per se, but for the learning and transferable knowledge that occurred as the result of work or life experiences which are comparable to college-level courses. These credits may not be used for Organizational Leadership and Learning core courses or general education requirements, but are used to develop the required 48-hour specialty area.

The Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership and Learning is specifically designed for experienced professionals who have an associate degree or equivalent college hours and extensive work history but they lack the college credentials to secure their current job of pursue a leadership position in the future. If you are one of those professionals, give our program a try and move closer to completing your bachelor’s degree in a convenient, efficient and affordable manner.

Visit our BSOLL online program page to learn more. To review application requirements and deadlines for this program visit Apply Now page.

 

References

Knapp, J. and Sharon, A. (1975), A Compendium of Assessment Techniques, Cooperative Assessment of Experiential Learning, Princeton, NJ.

Shelton, S.E. and Armistead, L.P. (1989), “The practice of awarding credit for prior learning in the community college”, Community/Junior College Quarterly, Vol. 13 No. 1, pp. 23‐31.

 

Accelerated Courses in Master’s in Higher Education Administration Online

Accelerated Courses in Master’s in Higher Education Administration Online

olweb1411_mahea-facebook2-publish11314In response to student interest, the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Louisville will be piloting an accelerated curriculum for the Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration online program. Students will have the opportunity to enroll in a select few graduate courses delivered in an 8-week accelerated format beginning in Spring 2017. This pilot program is available to all students interested in experimenting with this format, including active duty military.

The main benefit of the accelerated courses is that students will be able to focus on one course at the time. These courses will cover the same materials and have the same learning outcomes as the traditional 16-week courses and will be offered in two terms within the semester, January 9 – March 3 and March 6 – April 28.

Accelerated Courses Available:

  • Legal Issues in Postsecondary Education (ELFH 680-50)
  • Resource Management in Postsecondary Education (ELFH 684-50; ELFH 684-51; ELFH 684-52; ELFH 684-53)
  • Diversity in Higher Education (ELFH 694-50; ELFH 694-51; ELFH 694-52, ELFH 694-55)

For federal financial aid purposes, students must be enrolled in both terms, for the entire 16 weeks. Grades for the first accelerated term will not be officially posted on transcripts until the end of the regular academic semester (after May 2, 2017), but students may receive information about grades from the instructor following the conclusion of a first accelerated term/class.

Optional weekend meetings will be available for two of the courses, Resource Management and Diversity in Higher Education, to allow students to further accelerate their studies by completing much of the course content over one weekend. The weekend meetings will be offered via videoconference as well as in person at the University of Louisville Belknap Campus.

This semester-long pilot program will allow the Higher Education Administration online program team to evaluate the demand, student outcomes and effectiveness of the accelerated courses and formulate a strategy for opening this opportunity to more courses and online programs offered within the College of Education and Human Development at UofL.

For more information about deadlines and the synchronous weekend meetings, visit the College of Education and Human Development website.  To learn more about the Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration online program, visit our website.

UofL Introduces Online ESL Teaching Endorsement

UofL Introduces Online ESL Teaching Endorsement

olweb1609_p12_esl_lpThe University of Louisville is proud to introduce a new online teaching endorsement in English as a Second Language (ESL) for Kentucky certified teachers.

According to the Kentucky Department of Education, Kentucky’s P-12 student population speaks more than 94 different languages. UofL’s online ESL Endorsement is designed for certified teachers in Kentucky who want to be better equipped to teach English to the growing number of K-12 students whose first language is not English.

The ESL endorsement is a 12 credit hour graduate program structured in four courses and is offered both 100% online and in the more traditional face to face format. The curriculum focuses on ESL strategies that are research-based and recognized by experts as best practices in all P-12 teaching environments, including teaching English in an international context.

Requirements for earning an endorsement include completing two semesters of a foreign language (or a qualifying international language experience), 30 hours of ESL field experience, and passing the ESOL Praxis examination. Upon successful completion of these qualifications, the P-12 ESL Endorsement will be attached onto the initial Kentucky teaching certification.

“The English Language Learner student population is on the rise,” says Dr. Elizabeth Patton, ESL program director at the University of Louisville. “The ESL Endorsement at the University of Louisville provides specialized training for P-12 classroom teachers that is highly valued by both principals and administrators alike. Our completers consistently score in the 90% for the ESOL Praxis exam, which is a testimony to the rigorous preparation that our program provides.”

“While the program is designed for certified P-12 teachers, this is also a popular program of study for seminarians, language tutors, and other candidates wanting high-quality preparation for teaching English as private tutors and in preparation for teaching English as an International Language overseas.” added Dr. Patton.

Courses are offered every semester and admissions is on a rolling basis. For more details on admission requirements and deadlines, visit the program site.

UofL Introduces Online Program for Master of Education in Teacher Leadership

UofL Introduces Online Program for Master of Education in Teacher Leadership

The University of Louisville is offering a new online graduate program for certified teachers—the Master of Education in Teacher Leadership.

In the changing landscape of learning, the best teachers are also leaders and visionaries who inspire leadership in others. The Teacher Leadership degree at UofL was developed by the College of Education and Human Development faculty in collaboration with educators and administrators at school districts, and is led by an experienced team of world-class professors. The curriculum prepares teachers certified in Kentucky to serve as leaders who can work strategically with peers, school and district administrators and learners of all ages to improve teaching and learning. Much of the content focuses on how teachers can sharpen their instructional practices to better facilitate student learning while also coaching other teachers to lead.

“This program was prepared especially for certified teachers looking to expand their skills and advance their careers,” says Dr. Pamela Jett, program director. “It’s innovative because it’s built around theories and practical techniques that help teachers learn to lead and empower colleagues, while also focusing on their own careers. Outcomes focus on ways to support both new and experienced teachers to develop and transform how we view teaching and learning is delivered, both in the classroom and in the greater school community.”

The online M.Ed. in Teacher Leadership also provides the opportunity for teachers to enhance their certification by adding an endorsement or specialization to the core coursework. Endorsements in Teacher Leadership, ESL, Gifted & Talented, Instructional Technology and Classroom Reading are just some of the ways teachers can expand their repertoire and truly have an impact on learning.

A bachelor’s degree earned from a regionally accredited institution as well as a valid Kentucky teaching license are required for admission to this program. The GRE is not required if the applicant has a minimum GPA of 2.75. Financial aid is available for all students who qualify.

Start dates for online courses are available each semester. For more details on admission requirements and deadlines, visit our website.