CAPLA is pleased to present our Winter Webinar Series and don’t want you to miss this great opportunity to hear about three new RPL initiatives from your RPL colleagues. Even if you missed the first session on February 3 or have a scheduling conflict affecting your involvement in subsequent sessions, you can still access all three sessions by registering for the whole series. You will receive recordings of every session, regardless if you join the ZOOM call in real time or not. Just click on the link below.
Session 1
Introducing the International Indigenous RPL Practitioner Manual (2021): A Conversation with Karihwakeron Tim Thompson and Paul Zakos, Co-Editors and Indigenous adult educator Janice Brant
Thursday, February 3, 2022 at 12:00 noon Ontario time (ET)
The Canadian Association for Prior Learning Assessment (CAPLA) and the Nova Scotia Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration are pleased to be co-hosting a ZOOM discussion about the newly released International Indigenous Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Practitioner Manual (2021).
Co-editors Karihwakeron Tim Thompson and Paul Zakos will present some of the many components of the new publication, which features essays from North America, South America and South Africa, along with information about the powerful role that Indigenous portfolios can play as a transformative process. Indigenous educator Janice Brant will also share her unique perspectives and extensive RPL expertise. Q&A will follow.
About the speakers
Karihwakeron Tim Thompson
Karihwakeron Thompson is from the bear clan family of the Mohawk Nation at Wahta Mohawk Territory and serves as the chair of the International Indigenous Recognition of Prior Learning Collective (IIRPLC). Karihwakeron values his experiences with Indigenous organizations and Indigenous controlled educational institutions and continues to work with initiatives which utilize Indigenous knowledge and support the revitalization of Indigenous languages.
Paul Zakos
Paul Zakos has been actively involved in adult education for over four decades in both mainstream and Indigenous settings. He is a founding member of the Canadian Association for Prior Learning Assessment and the International Indigenous RPL Collective. He has implemented RPL and adult friendly practices across Canada, USA, Chile, South Africa, and Ecuador working closely with colleagues to ensure educational policies and programs respond to community needs and the life circumstances and cultural teachings of Indigenous peoples.
Janice Brant
Janice Brant is a Mohawk scholar and adult educator who created a portfolio process, “Utilizing Portfolio Development in Adult Basic Education”, for Haudenosaunee adults on the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory in Ontario, Canada several years ago. She has made a significant contribution to the creation of the International Indigenous RPL Practitioner Manual and the development of culturally-based RPL processes in Canada and internationally.
Purchase International Indigenous Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Practitioner Manual (2021)
Session 2
RPL at New Brunswick Community College (NBCC)
Thursday, February 24, 2022
Following the implementation of several strategic initiatives to improve the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) services at NBCC in recent years, we are now piloting new approaches in the field of Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) that will help facilitate access to college-level education, particularly for underrepresented groups. In this presentation, we will discuss the key changes we have made to our RPL processes and how we plan to address some of the gaps in our services through the collaboration of both NBCC’s RPL and PLAR teams. Our goal is to reduce barriers by recognizing not only formal learning but also experiential learning, core employability skills, and other diverse skill sets which many students bring to NBCC. Operating on a continuous intake basis, PLAR participants will be able to have their learning assessed and gain course credit before enrollment. This pilot project includes the implementation of online tools to be used for competency-based learning demonstrations and flexible assessment methods, which will offer more individualized opportunities for prior learning recognition.
Presenters will include RPL Coordinators Mackenzie Bartlett and Patrick Reinartz, and Learning Design Consultant Michelle Chisholm, with participation from Registrar Chris Harris, Director of Academic Planning and Evaluation Hazel Richardson and Vice President Academic and Research Ann Drennan.
About the speakers
Mackenzie Bartlett, Recognition of Prior Learning Coordinator, New Brunswick Community College (NBCC)
Mackenzie manages the credit transfer and equivalency application processes through the Office of the Registrar at NBCC. She has coordinated various continuous improvement projects to strengthen assessment practices, generate workflow efficiencies, and expand RPL services across the college to provide better opportunities for students to achieve recognition for their prior learning. Before joining NBCC, Mackenzie pursued her passion for teaching as a post-secondary instructor in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where she also developed online courses and participated in curriculum development initiatives. She has a PhD in English literature from the University of London, a Master’s degree from Oxford University, and a BA from Acadia University.
Michelle Chisholm, Learning Design Consultant for Prior Learning, New Brunswick Community College (NBCC)
Michelle’s role in NBCC’s Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) pilot project was to work collaboratively with internal subject matter experts and a larger PLAR team to help establish better practices related to the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). She brings a knowledge of evidence-based strategies in assessment, Universal Design for Learning and other inclusionary or accessible practices to the project that aims to diminish barriers to incoming and current students of NBCC. Michelle’s background is in education, having previously worked as a high school teacher, for Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour NB, and for St. Thomas University. Michelle has an MEd in Exceptional Learners from the University of New Brunswick along with a BA and BEd from St. Thomas University.
Patrick Reinartz, Recognition of Prior Learning Coordinator, New Brunswick Community College (NBCC)
Patrick serves as Coordinator for NBCC’s Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) pilot. In this role, he contributes to systems and process development aspects of the project, while also providing service, documentation and support for participants. Patrick has a decade-long background in corporate training, where he acted as LMS administrator and technical support for a leading US-based health services provider.
Session 3
RPL at Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Open Learning and Career Development
Thursday, March 10, 2022
Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Open Learning and Career Development has become the lead for RPL as part of an innovative strategy supported by the Government of Nova Scotia. Starting with an RPL Framework grounded in a vision of economic, educational and societal access and equity for all, the Faculty of Open Learning and Career Development is well positioned to offer a range of services to underserved populations and to extend its growing expertise to many other partners in the province who understand the importance of recognizing the learning of job seekers, prospective students, newcomers and Indigenous populations.
About the speaker
Chris Fevens, Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Program Manager, Faculty of Open Learning and Career Development, Dalhousie University
Education has the power to create change. This is something Chris has always believed in, that also fuels his passion to help others reach their academic goals. With over 15 years in in domestic and international education, including a strong background in leadership, administration and instruction, Chris possesses a strong understanding of adult teaching principles, international marketing and recruitment for ESL and Higher Education institutions, and instructional design. Chris has a M.Ed from the University of British Columbia in Educational Leadership and Administration, and a B.Ed and B.A from the University of New Brunswick. Chris now lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia with wife Nasil, and son Noah.