Partnering with Adult Learners

1. Partnering with Adult Learners Breaking Barriers by Recognizing Experiential & Non-Formal Learning

2. Academic BarriersIt’s time to break through!Activity Sheet

3. What do we mean by ‘Learning’? Formal Learning Knowledge Non-Formal Learning Skills Abilities Personal Attributes Informal Learning

4. PLARrecognizes the value of non-formal and informal learning in the development of our workforce: • Work experience • Non-credit courses • Industry training • Self-study • Volunteer activities And links it with formal learning.

5. PLAR is a valid process of • identifying learning • documenting/proving learning • assessing learning • recognizing that learning formally • It is based on clear learning outcomes and occupational standards. It measures prior learning and current competence.

6. Proven Skill or Knowledge • Candidate provides evidence that learning is: • relevent to a specific course/discipline • current • at the depth/level of post-secondary training • Credit earned only: • when the standard expectations for the learning outcomes in the course are met.

7. PLAR Responds To: • Access to education • Labour mobility/portable credentials • Qualification recognition (occupational and international) • Occupations in transition • Workforce adjustments • Emerging occupations • Training partnerships • Efficient use of training dollars

8. Barriers&Benefits

9. Adult Learners • Increasingly more mature students (25 years+) • May work part-time or full-time while studying • Come with a variety of work and volunteer experiences • May have worked already in the field of study • Have have family/life commitments • Have have expectations about what they need to learn and what they already know PLAR Benefits • Valued for their skill and knowledge • Redundant Training Reduced • Save or Reallocate Time • Better use of Training Dollar

10. “Drop Outs” aka Successful Early Leavers • Students develop enough skill and knowledge to become marketable • Quit programs when offered employment • Minimal # courses remaining • Attending classes is difficult • Develop remaining skills on the job over time PLAR Benefits • Recognizes alternate learning methods • Reduces time to graduate • student completes program (more graduates for you!) • improves mobility for low seniority worker

11. Licensing/Regulatory Changes Example: Early Childhood Education • Employment standard changed; workers must have ECE Certificate • Competent workers already learned through on-the-job training, mentoring and experience • Workers cannot afford to leave jobs for retraining • GAP training available by distance PLAR Benefits • workforce credentials upgraded efficiently • no loss-time & no loss wages • retain qualified, experienced workers • eliminate redundant training

12. Certification and Re-Certification Example: Continuing Nursing Education and Advanced Clinical Practices • skill/knowledge standards required by employment in specializations • Currency obtained in the field • Skills and knowledge are transferable and can be assessed PLAR Benefits • shorten employment response time to certify qualified workers • reduce redundant training

13. Mentorship Learning Examples: Fine Arts, Media and Graphic Arts • Established in an arts community • Study with a master of artistic choice • Highly specialized • Need flexible access to education • Importance of credentials increasing PLAR Benefits • Respect learning styles and special needs • Accommodates specialized skill development • Blends creative environment with educational structures

14. Customized Courses Example: Computer Applications • coned requests for short, specific workshops • no evaluation/non-credit • Further develop & apply skills over time PLAR Benefits • Responds to diverse training deliveries • Supports “just-in-time” requirements • Provides for individual certification needs

15. Emerging Technologies • new educational programs • Existing experienced workers in field • Previous training is industry specific PLAR Benefits • credential the experts who pioneer new occupations or technical skill sets • portable credentials across industries • Cost-effective for students and employer

16. Distance Learners Example: Off Campus/ Correspondence/ Virtual Delivery • selective in study choices and variety of sources • often working in a related field • limited access to formal/traditional education PLAR Benefits • values alternative learning methods • efficiency for student • Completes a recognized credential

17. Interested in learning more about how to implement PLAR? • Consider RPL Practitioner Advanced Certificate Training for Professionals (Educators, Counselors, and Human Resource Specialists) Visit our website: http://www.siast.sk.ca/siast/educationtraining/advancedcertificate/5883/8665/5854/index.shtml

18. For More InformationKim Orynik – PLAR CoordinatorEmail:orynik@siast.sk.ca Cristal Gobeil – PLAR Facilitator Email:gobeil@siast.sk.ca Saskatchewan Institute Applied Science & Technology (SIAST) PLAR web page:http://www.siast.sk.ca/siast/admissions/plar.htm

19. Questions - Comments – Discussion Thank you!