Tools and Strategies in Prior Learning Assessment

Date & Time: Oct. 21, 2021, 12 PM – 1:30 PM PST
Location: Online
Registration deadline: Oct. 21, 2021 by 10 AM
Cost: Free to BCPLAN Members; $25 to Non-Members

Whether you are an emerging or a seasoned PLAR practitioner, please join us at Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition: Tools and Strategies webinar as we explore various tools and strategies in recognition of prior learning. 

Agenda

12 PM – 12:10 PM - Meet & Greet

12:10 PM – 12:45 PM - Presentation # 1

Authentic Assessments and Tools for PLAR

Julie-Eve O'Meara, Vanier College

Description

In this brief presentation, we will look at types of assessments which are conducive to being credible, reliable yet rigorous within a PLAR model. We will also explore how to create an effective academic evaluation within a non-academic environment staying flexible, adaptable and accessible. The presentation will conclude with a review of recognition of informal, workplace competencies, and converting them into credits towards a degree.

About the presenter

Julie-Eve O’Meara has been a PLAR expert since 2013 having worked as an RAC (recognition of acquired competencies) advisor within the Continuing Education departments of various colleges in Quebec. She has a long career in program development, implementation and evaluation within education and vocational fields.

Her passion for PLAR began when she was an employment counsellor. Assessing individuals’ skills and coaching them to enter the labor force. Quickly she discovered the gap between qualified workers arriving from aboard and the inaccessibility to enter the work force due to the lack of an academic degree. She pursued her professional at Champlain College Saint-Lambert which became a CERAC (Center for Expertise in RAC) from 2013-2017.  She actively participated in offering practitioners and collaborators guidance and support in ensuring a cohesive approach to PLAR in Quebec.

While being a pedagogical support to the RAC services, she also managed to coach her content experts on the importance of applying an experiential, non-traditional andragogical approach to assessments and evaluations. Her preferred clientele has always been the adult learner needing upskilling and open to life long learning. In 2016, Julie-Eve obtained her Master’s degree in Education Psychology from McGill University allowing her to extends her knowledge base in understanding adults needs.

12:45 PM – 1:20 PM - Presentation # 2

Elements of Prior Learning Assessments

Dr. Dianne Conrad, Online Learning Consultant 

Description

This session will be especially useful for novice PLAR practitioners. It will include both macro and micro elements of PLAR, including best practices, philosophy, pedagogy, assessment, and challenges, for learners, assessors, and institutions. With its solid foundations in educational philosophy, PLAR provides an excellent vehicle for deserving learners but has suffered from a lack of understanding in some academic and administrative circles. Some resources will be provided.

About the presenter

Dr. Dianne Conrad is a long-time adult and distance educator who specializes in PLAR, online assessment, and open learning. She has published widely in academic journals and continues to review journal articles and sits on many editorial boards. Now retired, she continues to teach online, consult, and write.

She has published two books, Assessment Strategies for Online Learning: Engagement and Authenticity and Open(ing) Education: Theory and Practice, a co-edited text with Dr. Paul Prinsloo.

1:20 PM – 1:30 PM - General questions and closing remarks

To learn more about BCPLAN and to become a member please visit www.bcplan.ca/join.

For any questions please email info@bcplan.ca.