Who been able to do a substantial amount of portfolio credit?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by ddcameron, Jan 31, 2002.

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  1. ddcameron

    ddcameron New Member

    I am interested in the experiences of persons who have validated a substantial amount of their semester hours by portfolio assessment.

    How long did it take for how much? Which school? What kind of guidance did you get? Looking back, what do you wish you had known at the beginning? What would you do differently. What types of documentation were the easiest, hardest to obtain or to get accepted by the assessing agency?

    Sorry...got carried away...but you get the idea...

    David
     
  2. Tony Schroeder

    Tony Schroeder New Member


    This looks like a job for Dr. Levicoff!

    The good Doctor is the resident expert on portfolio credit. His account is included in the 14th Edition of Dr. Bear's book, and he posts here occasionally.

    Good Luck,


    Tony
     
  3. ddcameron

    ddcameron New Member

    Ah, yes! I remember reading that account. I should look forward to hearing from him. As well as lessor mortals! [​IMG]

    David
     
  4. irat

    irat New Member

    I once worked as the manager of a state school. Many of the staff did not have bachelors degrees. The first thing I tried to do was upgrade the staff through training. Community College of VT met with my staff and those who thought they could gain more then 12 semester credits signed up. Even though this was a community college, the credits would be accepted within the state university system. However, students would still need to have appropriate distribution credits for a degree. But since everyone needed to work in the teaching field, they wanted as many credits as they could get, so they could teach as many subjects as possible.
    About 11 staff signed up for the four semester credit "portfolio class". Most earned about 30 new semester credits. 10 of the 11 were able to have associates degrees awarded based on prior coursework plus the new portfolio credits. One was able to get his bachelors degree with prior coursework and his 44 new portfolio credits.
    It is not necessarily an easy process. One must have skills, knowledge or proficiencies equivalent to an identifiable college class. Each person mapped their life experience and identified skill areas based on trainings attended, work, hobbies, clubs, and union activity. Things ranged from being a competitive marksman to a state training on diversity. First Aid and CPR were something all the staff had attended. Identifying college classes that match the skills was also not always easy. Then documenting, not just attendance, but acquisition of skills and knowledge was the final step. Again, not necessarily an easy matter. This is especially true when looking back over a decade. The person who supervised you as a master chef, may have moved to Jamaica.
    Almost all of the 11 got 30 portfolio credits, plus the 4 semester credits for the course. So basically they got the equivalent of a year of full time study. One student got 44 for the portfolio plus 4 credits for the portfolio course itself (it was considered a course in writing) for a total of 48 semester credits.
    Since many colleges accept clep/dantes/excelsior testing. What I would do is look at what credits I have. Figure out the degree major I want. Then sort out whether the portfolio can get me there.
    I have a colleague with an Associates degree. He wants to have a BS in a different field. He will need 30 to 36 credits in the new field. Since he has not worked in the new field he does not have easy documentation of skills and knowledge. However, he could take the portfolio assessment and earn up to 40 credits in other areas. Unfortunately the portfolio does not quite get him where he needs to get. However, taking the advanced gre in his subject might at excelsior.
    All the best!
     
  5. ddcameron

    ddcameron New Member

    This is the kind of information I am looking for. Thank you very much!
     
  6. Lee Kay

    Lee Kay New Member

    Cost and a portfolio class may also be a consideration. When I did mine at GSU a few years ago, they charged $30 for everything. I got more credits than I needed. Costs have risen.

    GSU now offers a portfolio class to help develop the portfolio, and give credits for the class. They charge for submission and credits. (Board of Governors degree) www.govst.edu

    WIU charges $30 for portfolio submission.
    (Board of Trustees degree) www.wiu.edu

    Lee
     
  7. ddcameron

    ddcameron New Member

    Lee, thank you very much. Do you have a handle on how long it took you for ever how many credits?

    What did you consider the most difficult part?

    David
     
  8. Lee Kay

    Lee Kay New Member

    David,
    I did the portfolio and received credits within a semester. During the same semester, I took other courses. GSU did not offer a DL portfolio class at that time, but provided a guide. The most difficult part for me was documenting previous learning. The guide was very helpful. The portfolio credits saved me much time and money.
    You might consider purchasing a "Portfolio Guide" from a college bookstore to learn more about the process.
    Lee
     
  9. davidlj

    davidlj New Member

    I have been working on mine now for over a month. This has demanded alot of my time. Since I started I have about 70 hours work on with more to go.
     
  10. ddcameron

    ddcameron New Member

    Thanks, Lee. Good advice.

    Best wishes!
     
  11. ddcameron

    ddcameron New Member

    Ah! You have 70 hours invested with more hours to go. May I ask how many credits?
     
  12. ddcameron

    ddcameron New Member

    Have done. :D Thanks.
     
  13. davidlj

    davidlj New Member

    APL

    :) The process is ongoing I have some 70 hours just on the profile itself. I have yet to request any credits for the work todate.
     
  14. ddcameron

    ddcameron New Member

    Re: APL

    I'm a little puzzled, what do you mean by profile?

    By the way, I'd be interested to know which school you are working with.
     
  15. Hille

    Hille Active Member

    Hello, Hope everyone is having a peaceful evening as we approach Lent. I'm very interested in the portfolio process at WGU since they have some type of relationship with TESC. It may be less expensive to portfolio credits through WGU then TESC and then transfer them. Any ideas or insight will be appreciated. Hille
     
  16. davidlj

    davidlj New Member

    Portfolio

    Assessment of Prior Learning or Portfolio is what I am working on. First the Chronology of my work history. Second the Life experience and hobbies. This is the basic outline and then I work on the portfolio from past to current timeline. For more information use Preparing the Portfolio and More About…APL by Roslyn Snow. :p
     
  17. ddcameron

    ddcameron New Member

    Hille,

    TESC I'm familiar with. What is WGU?

    TESC is $49/semester hour, if you are enrolled, $98 if not. WGU=?
     
  18. ddcameron

    ddcameron New Member

    Re: Portfolio

    Thanks for the recommendation on the book. Will check it out.

    I am more or less doing the profile as I go. I am looking for course needs and analyzing my experience relative to those needs. However, Iam also making a list of things I have done, knowledge areas and books I've read in general at the same time.
     
  19. Hille

    Hille Active Member

    Hello, WGU is Western Governors University that has gotten a very mixed review here. It will only work out for my husband if they view his life experience credit potential differently. I'm not sure thats a possibility. Worth a try anyway. Hille
     

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