Overview
Welcome to Designing Your Experiential Learning Portfolio! This course is designed for students who want to earn credit for prior learning by teaching them how to articulate and document their knowledge of a specific course through a portfolio. Students will make meaningful connections between prior learning experiences and college-level course(s). In addition, some written, brainstorming, outline, and reflection assignments will equip them to produce evidence of their learning in the form of a narrative essay along with supporting documentation.
To be eligible to earn credit for prior learning at Biola University you must be a current student who has enrolled into one of Biola’s degree programs, and have been approved to take this course through the PLA application. Once you have completed the application and been approved, you will be given a code for 50% off this course and can begin building your portfolio!
For more information on PLA, visit biola.edu/pla
Please feel free to contact Eileen Soto if you have any questions!
Email: eileen.soto@biola.edu
About the Course Author
Eileen Soto is the Director of Educational Effectiveness and an adjunct faculty in the online B.S. Applied Psychology program at Biola University. Eileen has served at Biola since 2006 in roles as an academic advisor, program administrator, and adjunct faculty member. She partners with and supports Biola’s curricular and co-curricular programs by guiding assessment culture and practice across the University. Eileen’s work focuses on the assessment of student learning and using those results to enhance student learning. She is passionate about creating equitable and meaningful learning experiences for student success and thriving, particularly among adult learners, first-gen and transfer students. Eileen is currently working on expanding credit for prior learning options for post-traditional undergraduate students, growing the use of ePortfolios in traditional undergraduate programs, and using Canvas for program learning outcomes assessment. She earned an MA in Education from Biola University and a BA in Psychology from California State University, Fullerton. Eileen enjoys spending time with her husband and three sons, studying the Bible, homeschooling, supporting and encouraging other moms, and serving in women’s and worship ministries at her church.
About the Course Provider
The Office of Educational Effectiveness (OEE) exists to build and support internal processes to ensure academic quality of programs at Biola University. We support Department Chairs, Directors and faculty through program learning outcome assessment, academic program review, surveys and focus groups. Our office is also responsible for administering surveys to students, maintaining state authorization, and reporting and communicating with WSCUC.
Course FAQ
Each lesson is designed to take approximately 3-5 hours, depending on how deeply you engage the reflection and discussion questions. Since this is a self-paced course, the time it will take you to complete it will depend on the speed with which you want to progress through the course.
The course contains all the materials you need to successfully complete it. However, in order to complete the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) process, you must first be enrolled into one of Biola's degree programs and officially submit your PLA portfolio and pay the $150 assessment fee. Remember you are not guaranteed credit. A faculty assessor will evaluate your portfolio to determine whether or not your experience fulfills the course learning outcomes, and how much credit you may receive through the PLA portfolio.
In order to complete the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) process, you must be enrolled into one of Biola's degree programs and officially submit your completed PLA portfolio and pay the $150 assessment fee. Remember you are not guaranteed credit. A faculty assessor will evaluate your portfolio to determine whether or not your experience fulfills the course learning outcomes, and how much credit you may receive through the PLA portfolio. For more information on PLA, visit biola.edu/pla
First discuss the potential to fulfill academic credit through PLA with your admissions counselor or academic advisor at Biola. If it seems like you may be a good fit for PLA through portfolio, submit the PLA Portfolio Application Form. A representative from the Office of Educational Effectiveness will contact you with a determination and next steps.
Yes, you can certainly take this course if you are simply interested in putting together an organized portfolio that demonstrates your learning. However, you are only eligible to earn college credit through PLA if you are enrolled in one of Biola’s degree programs.
What are some other reasons to take this course?
This course could be helpful for career or graduate school preparation and planning. It could also help you to become more aware of how you learn in different environments and situations. Additionally, research from the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning shows that the process of reflecting on past learning is often a positive experience that improves adult students' confidence in themselves as learners. This is a valuable course for anyone who is looking to showcase their wealth of experiential knowledge.
Welcome to Designing Your Experiential Learning Portfolio! This course is designed for students who want to earn credit for prior learning by teaching them how to articulate and document their knowledge of a specific course through a portfolio. Students will make meaningful connections between prior learning experiences and college-level course(s). In addition, some written, brainstorming, outline, and reflection assignments will equip them to produce evidence of their learning in the form of a narrative essay along with supporting documentation.
To be eligible to earn credit for prior learning at Biola University you must be a current student who has enrolled into one of Biola’s degree programs, and have been approved to take this course through the PLA application. Once you have completed the application and been approved, you will be given a code for 50% off this course and can begin building your portfolio!
For more information on PLA, visit biola.edu/pla
Please feel free to contact Eileen Soto if you have any questions!
Email: eileen.soto@biola.edu
About the Course Author
Eileen Soto is the Director of Educational Effectiveness and an adjunct faculty in the online B.S. Applied Psychology program at Biola University. Eileen has served at Biola since 2006 in roles as an academic advisor, program administrator, and adjunct faculty member. She partners with and supports Biola’s curricular and co-curricular programs by guiding assessment culture and practice across the University. Eileen’s work focuses on the assessment of student learning and using those results to enhance student learning. She is passionate about creating equitable and meaningful learning experiences for student success and thriving, particularly among adult learners, first-gen and transfer students. Eileen is currently working on expanding credit for prior learning options for post-traditional undergraduate students, growing the use of ePortfolios in traditional undergraduate programs, and using Canvas for program learning outcomes assessment. She earned an MA in Education from Biola University and a BA in Psychology from California State University, Fullerton. Eileen enjoys spending time with her husband and three sons, studying the Bible, homeschooling, supporting and encouraging other moms, and serving in women’s and worship ministries at her church.
About the Course Provider
The Office of Educational Effectiveness (OEE) exists to build and support internal processes to ensure academic quality of programs at Biola University. We support Department Chairs, Directors and faculty through program learning outcome assessment, academic program review, surveys and focus groups. Our office is also responsible for administering surveys to students, maintaining state authorization, and reporting and communicating with WSCUC.
Syllabus
| In this lesson you will gain a better... Overview |
|---|
| Introduction to PLA Video |
| Course and Syllabus Research Video |
| Course & Syllabus Assignment Reflection |
| Theory of Andragogy Video |
| Andragogy Journal Assignment Text box |
| Charts on Course and Syllabus Research Resource |
| Your Life Experience Timeline Lesson 2 |
|---|
| In this lesson, you will begin to reflect on... Overview |
|---|
| Lesson 1 Course & Syllabus Assignment Upload Essay |
| Theory of Experiential Learning Video |
| More on Experiential Learning Video |
| Experiential Learning Reflective Journal Assignment Essay |
| Timeline Video |
| Timeline Assignment Essay |
| Timeline Template Resource |
| In this lesson, you will begin to connect your... Overview |
|---|
| Tacit Knowledge Video |
| Tacit Knowledge Journal Assignment Essay |
| Learning Theory & Application Resource |
| Remembering Your Own Reflection in Action Resource |
| Sample Learning Chart Resource |
| Mind Map Video |
| Prior Experience Learning Chart Resource |
| Learning Chart Upload |
| In this lesson, we continue to brainstorm and... Overview |
|---|
| Theory of Reflective Learning Video |
| Reflective Learning Journal Assignment Reflection |
| Learning Autobiography Reading |
| Part 3 Skills and Competencies Reading |
| Learning Narrative Organization Reading |
| Autobiography Video |
| Autobiography Assignment Essay |
| In this lesson, I will go over supporting... Overview |
|---|
| Theory of Transformation Video |
| Transformative Learning Journal Assignment Text box |
| Chapter 10: Writing about Learning Reading |
| Chapter 11: Completing and Submitting the Portfolio Reading |
| Sample 3 Part Competency Statement Reading |
| Sample Cover Sheet and Narrative Excerpt Reading |
| Sample Letter of Verification Reading |
| Narrative Essay Video |
| Supporting Documentation Video |
| Narrative Essay - Rough Draft Essay |
| Putting Together Your Portfolio Lesson 6 |
|---|
| This week is designed to give you time to... Overview |
|---|
| Narrative Essay Video |
| Supporting Documentation Video |
| Portfolio Contents Video |
| Supporting Documentation Upload |
| Narrative Essay - Second Draft (Optional) Essay |
| Finalize Your Portfolio Lesson 7 |
|---|
| Congratulations, your portfolios should be near... Overview |
|---|
| Final PLA Portfolio for Submission Essay |
| PLA Portfolio Rubric Resource |
| Biola University Sample Portfolio Resource |
Course FAQ
Each lesson is designed to take approximately 3-5 hours, depending on how deeply you engage the reflection and discussion questions. Since this is a self-paced course, the time it will take you to complete it will depend on the speed with which you want to progress through the course.
The course contains all the materials you need to successfully complete it. However, in order to complete the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) process, you must first be enrolled into one of Biola's degree programs and officially submit your PLA portfolio and pay the $150 assessment fee. Remember you are not guaranteed credit. A faculty assessor will evaluate your portfolio to determine whether or not your experience fulfills the course learning outcomes, and how much credit you may receive through the PLA portfolio.
In order to complete the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) process, you must be enrolled into one of Biola's degree programs and officially submit your completed PLA portfolio and pay the $150 assessment fee. Remember you are not guaranteed credit. A faculty assessor will evaluate your portfolio to determine whether or not your experience fulfills the course learning outcomes, and how much credit you may receive through the PLA portfolio. For more information on PLA, visit biola.edu/pla
First discuss the potential to fulfill academic credit through PLA with your admissions counselor or academic advisor at Biola. If it seems like you may be a good fit for PLA through portfolio, submit the PLA Portfolio Application Form. A representative from the Office of Educational Effectiveness will contact you with a determination and next steps.
Yes, you can certainly take this course if you are simply interested in putting together an organized portfolio that demonstrates your learning. However, you are only eligible to earn college credit through PLA if you are enrolled in one of Biola’s degree programs.
What are some other reasons to take this course?
This course could be helpful for career or graduate school preparation and planning. It could also help you to become more aware of how you learn in different environments and situations. Additionally, research from the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning shows that the process of reflecting on past learning is often a positive experience that improves adult students' confidence in themselves as learners. This is a valuable course for anyone who is looking to showcase their wealth of experiential knowledge.