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Recognition of Prior Learning Experience the Accreditation Process. What is RPL?. APL refers to certificated learning for which a general credit rating had been agreed e.g. RGN, RM, HNC, HND, degree courses,.
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Recognition of Prior Learning Experience the Accreditation Process
What is RPL? APL refers to certificated learning for which a general credit rating had been agreed e.g. RGN, RM, HNC, HND, degree courses, APEL is learning which does not have a general credit rating but has been acquired through an individual’s experience e.g. Work-based, community based learning Choose UWS/2009
What is Academic Credit? • Two types of credit may be awarded, General Credit and Specific Credit. • General Credit is arrived at through agreements between awarding bodies and Higher Education Institutions. The amount of General Credit is determined by the qualification held. • Specific Credit is credit which the University awards towards a specific programme of study. This time it is determined by subject choice. It follows that General Credit cannot be applied on a blanket basis to individual study programmes, the amount of Specific Credit, depends on how closely prior learning ties in with a proposed programme of study.
Benefits of RPL • For the student • Gain credit and recognition for learning; boosting confidence, motivation and self esteem • Encourages further learning • Do not need to repeat learning experiences for things they already know and for which they can provide suitable evidence • Boost employment opportunities by gaining a recognised qualification more quickly saving time and money
Benefits of RPL • For the Employer • Work based learning and training can contribute to a recognised qualification saving time and money • More efficient use of the training budget avoiding duplication of learning and identifying the best way to meet skills gaps • Provides a framework for skills development and CPD enabling employers to: • Show a commitment to workforce development • Improve staff retention
Benefits to Learning Providers • Encourages participation on learning programmes as students are coming with recognition for learning they already have • Widens access to those who would/could otherwise not consider further study • Enhances retention of learners • Scotland’s largest modern university • 19,500 students • over 1500 modules offered • 4 regional campuses: Ayr, Dumfries, • Hamilton & Paisley • career focused, designed in partnership with business and industry • £160million investment programme ..now underway to further improve ..our facilities. Our time is now We’re an ambitious university and our students are too. Choose UWS/2010
BA Management Bridging Programme • Entry into Level 9 • Students made RPL claim for 240 points • Combination of APL and APEL • Workshops/Supervision/Assessment RPL Case Study
Principles of APEL • The student makes the claim to have acquired knowledge and skills. • The responsibility of supporting this claim with evidence rests with the student. • It is learning not experience that is important. Experience is only significant as a source of learning. If learning cannot be extracted from experience there is nothing to assess and a claim cannot be made.
Identification of Learning • 4 stages. • Experiences were looked at and those where significant learning had occurred were selected. • Clear statements in the form of learning outcomes were written making sure that: • Learning was at the right level. • There was a clear link between theoretical knowledge and practical application • Learning had been kept up to date. • Evidence in support of the claim to learning was collected and collated this took the form of a written report accompanied by a portfolio of evidence • Presentation and Assessment
The Students’ Experience • The “Lows” • Difficult to tease out learning from experience • Challenge of writing learning outcomes • Finding the time • Fear of failure
The Student’s Experience • The “Highs” • Made me reflect on my working practices and question why I did things. • Gave me the confidence to suggest different ways of working. • Made me appreciate what I had achieved within the workplace. • My degree is within my grasp.