EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING PORTFOLIO WORKSHOP

1
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING PORTFOLIO WORKSHOP

• The University of Memphis

2
Purpose of this Workshop

• A basic understanding of Experiential Learning
• An introduction to portfolio creation
• A working knowledge of the Experiential Learning
  process

Students who decide to pursue credit through
experiential learning must read and follow
instructions contained in the University College
Experiential Learning Handbook
3
What is Experiential Learning?

• Experiential Learning Credit is college credit
• which is awarded for what you have learned
• outside the traditional classroom. You may
• have gained this knowledge from training at
• work, volunteering in the community or a
• variety of other sources.
• We emphasize that credit is granted for
• learning and not experience

4
Who is Eligible to Apply for Credit?

• Those who are fully admitted as a degree seeking
  student at the University of Memphis
• You must also be admitted and have a declared
  major in the University College
• Students in the Individual Studies Program must
  also have an approved Baccalaureate Contract

5
Facts About Experiential Learning

• The number of college credit-hours granted for
  Experiential Learning is governed by Southern
  Association of Colleges and Schools guidelines.
• Experiential Learning Credit is NOT guaranteed.
• If more than 3 hours are awarded, an additional
  fee of 30 per credit hour is assessed.

6
Facts About Experiential Learning

• A minimum of 0 (zero) and a maximum of 30
  semester hours can be earned through Experiential
  Learning.
• No Experiential Learning Credit is guaranteed if
  you submit a portfolio for consideration.
• If more than 3 hours are awarded, an additional
  fee of 30 per credit hour is assessed.

7
Facts About Experiential Learning

• Experiential Learning Credit is not calculated
  into a students GPA.
• Experiential Learning Credit cannot substitute
  for basic general education requirements or other
  required classes.
• Evaluation of portfolios can be a lengthy
  process. It is important to submit your portfolio
  a minimum of two semesters before you plan to
  graduate.

8
Is Experiential Learning Credit for You?
9
Consider These Questions

• Did my experience produce significant learning at
  the college level?
• Does my learning apply to my academic goal?
• Can I document my learning and extract from it
  clear statements representing the learning
  acquired through the experience?
• Am I prepared to spend the time and effort
  gathering, organizing, and interpreting materials
  needed in a portfolio?
• Would I be better served by taking courses,
  completing an internship, or by a CLEP exam?

Consult with your advisor to determine the
appropriateness of preparing a portfolio
10
Experiential Learning Application Steps
11
Basic Process

• Read the University College Handbook for
  Experiential Learning and examine the sample
  portfolio.
• Prepare your portfolio according to the example
  and guidelines.
• Submit the portfolio for evaluation a minimum of
  two semesters before you plan to graduate! It can
  take up to 6 months for the evaluation.
• Pay the fees for any credit that is awarded.

12
Basic Portfolio Elements

• Every portfolio should contain these basic
  elements
• Academic Goal Statement
• Required Forms
• Resume
• Appropriate Documentation

All portfolios must be submitted in some kind of
binder so that all the materials are secure and
organized.
13
Academic Goal Statement

• The Academic Goal Statement tells the assessor
  how your experiential learning relates to the
  program you are pursuing.
• A strong goal statement is the foundation of a
  portfolio. You must clearly communicate your
  experience, the level of learning, and its
  relevance to your program. If you cannot clearly
  communicate these items, then an evaluator cannot
  adequately review your portfolio.

14
Required Forms

• Each portfolio must contain the following three
  forms
• Verification Statement
• Payment Form
• Experiential Learning Agreement Form
• These forms can be found in the University
  College Experiential Learning Handbook

15
Resume

• List all the activities that relate to the
  portfolio you are submitting.
• Be concise and complete.
• The University of Memphis Career Center can
  assist any student with resume preparation,
  678-2239.

16
Documentation

• List each category of learning separately in your
  portfolio with an academic title.
• Give a brief description of the work experiences
  which contributed to this learning.
• List all relevant work experiences starting with
  the most recent and including all job titles.

17
Documentation Continued

• Document experience by including dates, amount of
  time spent, and description of the activities.
• Include the employer, agency, or experience
  provider and location as appropriate.
• Describe when and where the learning took place.

18
Documentation Continued

• Explain how the learning was acquired
• Was it formal or informal?
• Were you engaged in independent study?
• Did you have a mentor?
• Were you involved in an apprenticeship?
• Did you go through some formal training
  experience?
• Did you learn by observation, or by doing?

19
Types of Documentation You Can Include in your
Portfolio

• Certificates
• Licenses
• Awards Other Forms of Recognition
• Training Records
• Examples of Work Products
• Curriculum and Course Outlines
• Job Descriptions
• Conferences, Workshops, Seminars
• Non-Credit, Continuing Education Courses

These are just a few examples. There are many
other types of documentation you may submit.
20
Documentation Tips

• Documentation must show that you held the
  position and performed the duties described.
• Documentation should be appropriate for the kind
  of experience presented.
• Letters of verifications are not letters of
  recommendation. Letters of verification state
  specifically the writers relationship to the
  experience (e.g., director, supervisor) and
  describe what duties were performed.
• Documentation should include only relevant
  material. Be as effective as possible using a few
  appropriate, informative documents. Be selective!

21
Evaluation Criteria

• Evaluators follow the criteria set by the Council
  for Adult and Experiential Learning Standards

22
Council for Adult and Experiential Learning
Standards Criteria

• Credit should be awarded only for learning, and
  not for experience.
• College credit should be awarded only for
  college-level learning.
• Credit should be awarded only for learning that
  has a balance, appropriate to the subject,
  between theory and practical application.
• The determination of competence levels and of
  credit awards must be made by appropriate subject
  matter and academic experts.
• Credit should be appropriate to the academic
  context in which it is accepted.

23
What the Evaluator is Looking For?

• Does the document present a clear picture of the
  experience, showing its length, depth and level
  of complexity?
• Does the material show the students ability to
  generalize, analyze, and integrate experience
  into larger concepts, develop new skills, and
  formulate new ideas?
• Are there specific examples which demonstrate
  knowledge or skill acquired?

24
What the Evaluator is Looking For ?

• Does the material indicate that the student has
  the ability to synthesize, evaluate, and
  interrelate experiences that lead to new or
  broader levels of understanding or competency?
• Does the documented experience reflect the
  learning outcomes described?
• Do the examples of documentation give you a sense
  of what the student knows or can do?

25
What the Evaluator is Looking For?

• Does the material reflect competence at least
  equal to the minimum levels required for college
  credit?
• Is the learning equivalent to college-level
  learning?
• Is there a precedent for awarding credit in this
  area or similar areas?

Faculty may request additional information, if
needed from the student.The Dean of University
College has final approval for any credit awarded.
26
What Do I Do Once the Assessment is Complete?

• We will call you when the assessment has been
  completed. Be sure University College has your
  correct home and office phone numbers.
• If you receive any credit, you will have to pay
  the posting fee of 30 per credit hour, minus the
  90.00 evaluation fee, before it can be applied
  to your transcript.
• Once University College has confirmation (copy of
  a receipt) that any outstanding posting fees have
  been paid, staff will complete the appropriate
  paperwork to have the credit applied to a
  students transcript.

27
Payment Example

• A student is awarded 15 hours
• 15 30 450
• Minus the initial assessment fee of 90
• 360
• The student must pay 360 at the Bursars office
  to receive the Experiential Learning Credit
  awarded
• If a student is awarded more credit than they
  need, they can elect to pay for only the hours
  needed.
• All fees are paid at the Bursars office.

28
A Final Word

• Students sometimes tend to over estimate the
  number of credit hours they believe they will
  receive. While many do earn maximum or close to
  maximum hours, just as many receive far fewer
  hours then they anticipate or no hours at all.
  University College encourages students who have a
  substantial amount of work experience, training,
  and knowledge to apply for credit through
  experiential learning. However, we also want
  students to realize that it is difficult to hours
  through this process.
• The Experiential Learning process takes time and
  can not be rushed though in a few weeks.
  Therefore, it is in the students best interest to
  submit their portfolio as soon as possible in
  their academic program.

29
Advisor Contact Information

• Dorothy Hale
• dmhale_at_memphis.edu
• Sara Williams
• sjwillia_at_memphis.edu
• Tracy Robinson
• tprobnsn_at_memphis.edu

Feel free to email short concise questions. More
complicated issues should be addressed via
appointment. To schedule an appointment call
901-678-2716.