TESU portfolio tips

[MSinger Tesc]

These were done prior to TESU implementing their requirement for PLA100/200, which they made me do even though I had successfully submitted two portfolios. I developed the checklist AFTER those experiences, not during or before.

Just a quick word on this--it's unfortunate that someone told you that you needed to take PLA-100 and PLA-200 if you had already completed portfolios here. PLA-100 was certainly not necessary, as it introduces the concept of prior learning assessment and helps you figure out how to determine whether you have any prior learning that would be college-equivalent, and then which method is the best for you. PLA-200 is really the structure through which you create your portfolios, however many you are doing--it is helpful in making sure that you document everything, that you maximize the number of courses you can get credit for (we want you to use the process, or else why do I have a job?), that you know what learning outcomes are and how to address them effectively--and so we recommend that you take it, but on the other hand, if you have already done this successfully, it's not required.

I'm glad to see the other positive comments about the portfolio process here. Let us know how we can make it better.

Marc Singer, Vice Provost
Center for the Assessment of Learning
Thomas Edison State University