(10-21-2020, 01:47 AM)ROYISAGIRL Wrote: I know PLA doesn't get a lot of love on this forum, but I wanted to share my experience just incase it helps someone. I've been working on the BA in Environmental Studies at TESU. As most know getting enough credits isn't easy. I wanted to try my hand at PLAing.

First I looked through the TESU  PLA database and found four courses that would fit into my degree plan.

I wrote down each requirement and went through MOOCs, webinars, volunteer work, books, etc. That I had already completed to see if any fit the requirements. After that I went through platforms like Coursera, edx, OpenLearn, etc. To see if there were courses that fit the remaining requirements.  (You can work on your evidence as you do your papers i.e. taking courses,  volunteering,  etc.)

Then I looked at the learning outcomes of each course, I broke them down line by line and explained how I knew *insert whatever the outcome is*  for this area it literally depends on what the outcome is. I had one that asked me to explain what a certain book was about and a different one that wanted to know the different process of the Nitrogen cycle, so this one may vary greatly.


The easiest part for me was my narrative this is where I was able to tell the story of how I knew the information, where I learned it, and how I could put it all together.

If you don't like writing I wouldn't recommend it. I've heard of portfolios being 30 plus pages whereas my longest was 14 pages with evidence pages and bibliographies. I honestly don't think it's the length that matters, but the fact you can prove you have college level knowledge on the subject.

Again I know it's not one of the best options if you have exams or courses to take, but it is an option.

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(10-21-2020, 11:39 AM)dfrecore Wrote:

(10-21-2020, 01:47 AM)ROYISAGIRL Wrote: I know PLA doesn't get a lot of love on this forum, but I wanted to share my experience just incase it helps someone. I've been working on the BA in Environmental Studies at TESU. As most know getting enough credits isn't easy. I wanted to try my hand at PLAing.

First I looked through the TESU  PLA database and found four courses that would fit into my degree plan.

I wrote down each requirement and went through MOOCs, webinars, volunteer work, books, etc. That I had already completed to see if any fit the requirements. After that I went through platforms like Coursera, edx, OpenLearn, etc. To see if there were courses that fit the remaining requirements.  (You can work on your evidence as you do your papers i.e. taking courses,  volunteering,  etc.)

Then I looked at the learning outcomes of each course, I broke them down line by line and explained how I knew *insert whatever the outcome is*  for this area it literally depends on what the outcome is. I had one that asked me to explain what a certain book was about and a different one that wanted to know the different process of the Nitrogen cycle, so this one may vary greatly.


The easiest part for me was my narrative this is where I was able to tell the story of how I knew the information, where I learned it, and how I could put it all together.

If you don't like writing I wouldn't recommend it. I've heard of portfolios being 30 plus pages whereas my longest was 14 pages with evidence pages and bibliographies. I honestly don't think it's the length that matters, but the fact you can prove you have college level knowledge on the subject.

Again I know it's not one of the best options if you have exams or courses to take, but it is an option.

Sent from my SM-G981V using DegreeForum.net mobile app

Thank you for the info.

You didn't mention if TESU gave you credit for the courses?  If they brought them in as you expected?  Can you give any additional info?

(10-21-2020, 12:34 PM)bjcheung77 Wrote: Yo! That's great news! What were the 4 courses? Mind me asking, just wanting to know what could be transferred in using PLA.
BTW, what's their PLA database link? Is it this one or another link you're referring to? Link: https://www2.tesu.edu/plasearch.php

(10-21-2020, 12:42 PM)ROYISAGIRL Wrote:

(10-21-2020, 12:34 PM)bjcheung77 Wrote: Yo! That's great news!  What were the 4 courses?  Mind me asking, just wanting to know what could be transferred in using PLA.  
BTW, what's their PLA database link? Is it this one or another link you're referring to? Link: https://www2.tesu.edu/plasearch.php

That's the right link. I'll post my courses in a bit I'm at work lol

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(10-21-2020, 09:41 PM)Seagull Wrote:

(10-21-2020, 12:42 PM)ROYISAGIRL Wrote:

(10-21-2020, 12:34 PM)bjcheung77 Wrote: Yo! That's great news!  What were the 4 courses?  Mind me asking, just wanting to know what could be transferred in using PLA.  
BTW, what's their PLA database link? Is it this one or another link you're referring to? Link: https://www2.tesu.edu/plasearch.php

That's the right link. I'll post my courses in a bit I'm at work lol

Sent from my SM-G981V using DegreeForum.net mobile app

Is it only for LL or UL courses?

Do you have to prove the completion of the courses or just list that they exists and you have completed them?

(10-22-2020, 12:59 AM)ROYISAGIRL Wrote: It's for both. You can even do grad credits, but I'm not sure if it's the same process. You have to have some kind of evidence like a certificate, letter of completion, etc. to show you finished it.

(10-22-2020, 09:05 AM)dfrecore Wrote:

(10-22-2020, 12:59 AM)ROYISAGIRL Wrote: It's for both. You can even do grad credits, but I'm not sure if it's the same process. You have to have some kind of evidence like a certificate, letter of completion, etc. to show you finished it.

I thought that a PLA was meant to show that you had the knowledge, not necessarily that you took a course?  So let's say you wanted to PLA "Programming with Java" you don't have to take a Java course, you can show that you know how to do programming, and you don't have to have learned the info from a course.