EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING ASSESSMENT

Life Experience Portfolio

St. Thomas University has several alternative assessment methods which provide opportunities for its students to earn academic college credits for non-collegiate, workplace and experiential learning. One method (assessment of experiential learning) facilitates the earning of credits for knowledge and skills gained through work and life experiences. St. Thomas University awards college credits as a result of assessing workplace, non-collegiate and experiential learning. 

WAYS OF DEMONSTRATING THAT YOU KNOW

There are several ways that students can demonstrate learning competences:
1. Choosing to take and complete successfully a course applicable to a particular competency or set of competencies; OR
2. Receiving a grade of C or better in a course taken at another accredited college or university, a course comparable to those at STU that would be applicable to a particular competency; OR
3. Taking and successfully completing an examination applicable to a particular competency. (This option might apply to some, but not all competencies.) OR
4. Demonstrating that the competency has already been met through prior learning.

Definition of Experiential Learning Assessment
Experiential learning assessment and the evaluation of non-college learning are performed on sponsored, workplace and other experiential learning for awarding recognition. This practice is based on the premise that all learning has value regardless of where it occurred and on the belief that it is possible to assess a wide variety of learning for equivalency to the learning outcomes of programs taught by educational institutions. 

Rationale
Most adult students begin their academic career with a vast amount of learning gained through life, non-collegiate and work experiences. By recognizing the value of those activities and experiences and awarding credit for learning they already possess, adult students are more likely to enroll in college and pursue a credential. Research also shows that students who are awarded credits for life and work experiences tend to complete their degree, and less likely to dropout, when compared to the traditional student without such credit awards. 

Finally, a well developed experiential learning assessment and non-collegiate evaluation program can facilitate and support other college academic and partnership programs, including articulation for corporate training and certificate programs, which may be designed specifically for adult learners in the workplace.

ASSESSING NON-TRADITIONAL LEARNING

Assessing Learning via the Portfolio Method
There are several ways to assess learning. The portfolio method is one such method that is frequently used by institutions that assess experiential learning. The “portfolio” is popular because it accomplishes several purposes. Foremost, it enables subject experts to assess past learning and compare such to college course outcomes. Second, it helps the adult to discover how past learning relates to a college program. Third, it facilitates and accelerates the attainment of a college education. Finally, it assists the student in career planning.