Those 12 years of teaching experience.....

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by MIGab23, Jan 28, 2002.

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  1. MIGab23

    MIGab23 New Member

    Yes, I forgot to mention that those years of teaching were PRIVATE schools. But 12 years are still 12 years. Still looking for more info. Thanks.
     
  2. tcnixon

    tcnixon Active Member


    Those twelve years by themselves are not worth much. However, you may have learned some things during those twelve years that you could demonstrate in a portfolio. In that case, your choices would be:

    1. Thomas Edison State College
    2. Charter Oak State College
    3. Excelsior College


    Tom Nixon
     
  3. qjackson

    qjackson New Member

    For instance, you find a regionally accredited school catalog listing, such as:

    http://www.tesc.edu/catalog/course.php?CourseCode=LIT-221

    (I'm picking one of TESC's just because I have a warped sense of humor.)

    Then, you prove beyond a reasonable doubt in whatever way your portfolio advisor recommends that some aspect of your teaching shows that you've already acquired this particular knowledge. (For instance, copies of assignments handed out to students with questions about the latest book they've read for language arts, and so on. I bet if you've been keeping those assignment handout sheets, you have more than a stack of proof to catch this credit.) Worth=3 semester hours.

    I would think, however, that in your case, since you already have 105 credits, finding the "right" credits to fill in the missing blanks will require an academic counsellor, since Eng 221 may NOT be what you need to fill in YOUR blanks.

    You may have to be somewhat more creative than I'm suggesting here.



    ------------------
    Quinn
     
  4. irat

    irat New Member

    I share the wonder that MIGab23 has been able to teach for 12 years without a degree. However, putting that aside.
    Credit for life experience is based on the knowledge and skill proficiencies developed which are comparable to those earned in college courses.
    A person who has worked as a master chef for 12 years has wonderful cooking skills. But when you look for college comparible skills and knowledge there might be only one or two college courses which apply. A person who has only worked four years, one year experience as a master chef, one year as a master mechanic, one as a computer programmer, and one as a master electrican might be in a position to claim skills and knowledge in four course areas.
    If MIGab23 you really have 105 college credits, the best bet would be to take the 5 or 6 three credit courses you probably need to get a degree. 6 three credit courses would be 18 credits for a grand total of 123 credits. That is about the number of credits for which most institutions would award a degree if the distribution is appropriate.
    The course distribution would the issue. Generally you need 30 to 36 credits in a major subject area and then general distribution.
    I think you would find it far easier to take 6 credit examinations, clep/dantes/excelsior or on-line courses, than a portfolio course. Especially since there is no gurantee the portfolio could give you credits in the areas needed.
    One other point on the portfolio. The life experiences must demonstrate skills and knowledge equivalent to college course material. Most elementary and high school subjects are not associated with equivalent of a college class. Calculus offered in some high schools would have a college equivalent. But, elementary school arithmetic would not have a college course equivalent. The area a school teacher might be able to identify that does have college equivalents is "methods of teaching..." in a subject. This would probably require a great deal of documentation. However, most of the public schools have many in-service sessions on teaching methods. It would be one area that life experience credits could be documented.
    Finally, if you have knowledge in one of the GRE subject areas for which Excelsior will award credit, all you might need to do is do well on the test. Excelsior may award up to 30 credits.
    All the best!
     
  5. MIGab23

    MIGab23 New Member

    :) Thank you very much for your response, irat. I have found it to be MOST helpful, indeed.
     

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