Credit for real world experience by DrRobbins https://padlet.com/robbinst6/yjw740vhzo9e What are your thoughts on this? Would you support your state moving in this direction? Why or why not? en-us 2017-07-01 20:28:09 UTC 2017-07-16 20:05:39 UTC hello@padlet.com Flex Degree - Stephanie Schafer Vieira https://padlet.com/robbinst6/yjw740vhzo9e/wish/178419416 I am in favor of Flex Degrees. I believed every certification or education someone has received could be transferred and used to receive a higher certification/degree. I have used some of my master's degree courses transferred in for my doctoral degree so I wouldn't have to take a course on a subject I have already studied. Flex Degrees are a great incentive to those who have a lot of experience but are yet to have a degree.]]> 2017-07-10 20:15:00 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/yjw740vhzo9e/wish/178419416 Flex Degree - Dan Parine https://padlet.com/robbinst6/yjw740vhzo9e/wish/178420674 I am largely in favor of this option and identify with it very closely. I think if we truly want to encourage lifelong adult learning we need to make it accessible for all populations. One of the most difficult populations to attract is full-time professional adults with families. If we aim to educate this part of the population we need to be able to accommodate for their already hectic schedules. An excellent way of doing that is online classes and I think flex degrees is taking that one step further to make adult education easier to access.]]> 2017-07-10 20:42:28 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/yjw740vhzo9e/wish/178420674 Kristopher Shultz https://padlet.com/robbinst6/yjw740vhzo9e/wish/178421321 The flex degree option removes systemic barriers for adult learners seeking to obtain a higher degree or certificate. Acknowledging and rewarding students for their lived experiences and informal knowledge acquistion, I would argue, is an excellent way to actualize a socially just learning environment. I would absolutely support a program of this nature because our current institution of higher education enables systemic racism, classism, sexism, etc. to thrive based the acknowledgement and validation of one way of knowing and learning i.e. formal education created by and for white, elite, able-bodied, christian, males. The flex degree option may be a first step in undoing institutional racism, sexism, and classism depending on its implementation, policies, and procedures. I am curious as to how these institutions will proceed with knowledge assessments and if they will actually be multiculturally competent. 

]]> 2017-07-10 20:58:37 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/yjw740vhzo9e/wish/178421321 Flex Degree-Alex Hubbard https://padlet.com/robbinst6/yjw740vhzo9e/wish/178439379 I absolutely support the idea of flex degrees, particularly from a motivational standpoint. It seems that this would hit many of the points critical to adult motivation that we have covered so far. For example, if an adult learner already knows the bulk of material in a given class, they may become very bored with it, thus losing their motivation towards it, which could result in a low grade that does not at all reflect their actual knowledge of the subject matter of that course, or could even prevent them from getting the degree that is meant to prove their knowledge of the material. Since learners would be able to test out of courses that covered material they were already proficient in, the courses left would cover material which the learner would be able to see as useful to learn, rather than anything being redundant. Overall, from the information in this video, it seems that flex degrees would cater rather well to the learning and motivational needs of the modern adult learner.]]> 2017-07-11 02:45:38 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/yjw740vhzo9e/wish/178439379 Flex Degree - Milana Davydova https://padlet.com/robbinst6/yjw740vhzo9e/wish/178446056 I wholeheartedly support the idea of flex degrees. It is incredibly refreshing to see an accredited, well-known, four-year institution moving in such a direction. It never made sense to me for an individual to have to spend money on general education classes that they may already be competent in. I can only imagine the immense financial savings that such a program could bring forth. It also would save students an incredible amount of time, in that they wouldn't have to spend a whole term proving to an instructor that they are indeed competent in a certain class or field of study. Rather, the proposed competency exam would shave off considerable time from an individual pursuing a higher education degree. Finally, I appreciate
how the coursework can be at the students own pace. The idea of a flex degree options truly caters to the various aspects of adult learners. ]]> 2017-07-11 04:46:13 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/yjw740vhzo9e/wish/178446056 Flex Degree - Bianca Galam https://padlet.com/robbinst6/yjw740vhzo9e/wish/178486554 I am in favor of flex degrees. While formal education provides a foundation for students, I think that receiving credit for real world experience would make higher education more accessible to adult learners. Allowing students to move and test at their own pace would be beneficial for those who want to earn a degree/certificate, but also have other full-time commitments. 
The flex degree option would, perhaps, increase student retention rates. In general education courses, students who feel that they know the material from prior experiences are likely to become unmotivated to complete that course, or deem it as a waste of time and money. Adult learners would appreciate being acknowledged for prior experiences, and having it count towards a degree or certificate.]]> 2017-07-11 14:32:04 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/yjw740vhzo9e/wish/178486554 Flex Degree-Senait Tesfai https://padlet.com/robbinst6/yjw740vhzo9e/wish/178521829 I think flex degree is such a wonderful opportunity because it can help and support so many people earn and continue their education. As an English tutor, I work with students that are college graduates (returning students) and with incredible job experiences and yet since their degree or certificate is considered "outdated" or non-transferable credits they are required to retake the same course that they are already familar with. This can be very expensive for students that are raising and trying to provide for their family and working (minimum wage job) at the same time. I think flex degree can definetly improve and impact many students in a postive way.  ]]> 2017-07-12 01:26:42 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/yjw740vhzo9e/wish/178521829 Flex Degree - Nicole Gardner https://padlet.com/robbinst6/yjw740vhzo9e/wish/178535642 I am in full support of a flex degree program. As other students have noted, it removes systemic barriers for adult learners in our society. There are a number of adults who don't follow the "idealized" path of high school -> higher education. This is due to a number of factors, sometimes outside the students control, yet the individual is not given credit for their lived experience. Many "white collar" jobs have a higher education degree requirement, which becomes a barrier to entry. By giving people credit for lived experience, you remove a barrier for these learners. It would impact these students are the community positively.

]]> 2017-07-12 05:15:24 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/yjw740vhzo9e/wish/178535642 Flex Degree - David Turnipseed https://padlet.com/robbinst6/yjw740vhzo9e/wish/178540420 I think this is a great idea, because it improves the relevance of education that students do end up needing to engage with. I would support Washington move in this direction, because I am currently engaging with a similar model in the HS 21+ portfolio class that I am teaching right now and I see how it can inspire confidence in students in ABE. When they receive credit for their work or life experiences, they no longer feel they have wasted time since not completing high school. This can be a confidence booster and create time in the classroom where students want to explore going to college or applying for an apprenticeship. ]]> 2017-07-12 07:13:55 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/yjw740vhzo9e/wish/178540420 Maria Johnson https://padlet.com/robbinst6/yjw740vhzo9e/wish/178581366 I feel mixed about Flex-Degrees. I think that it is essential that students have a solid educational foundation to succeed in college. It would partially depend on the assessment aspect. If a student was able to test out of a class but didn't have a strong foundation in that subject the student could later become very frustrated when taking more advanced classes and that could cause them to drop out of the program. 

I do like the aspect of giving opportunity for more students to attend collage and get a degree. The decrease in cost can also really help students.

From personal experience, I found that the quality of on-the-job training can really vary. I also found that in real life work situations that people often only work on a small scope of that job so they might not have the breadth of knowledge that they might think they have. It would also depend on the area of education. I think some degrees would be more appropriate than others.]]> 2017-07-12 17:30:05 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/yjw740vhzo9e/wish/178581366 Kirstyn Tubb tubbk https://padlet.com/robbinst6/yjw740vhzo9e/wish/178582451 The entire time I was watching this video, I kept thinking about a colleague of mine (also a teacher) who said that he automatically passes students who pass his final with a B or higher, regardless of their prior grade. I agree that flex degrees are a great idea, but I also feel like learning and experience goes beyond just "knowing" things. I truly believe that people need to work in collaborative situations and have application projects. If someone already knows a lot of information about a topic, great, but that just means that they will be valuable members of the class.]]> 2017-07-12 17:50:20 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/yjw740vhzo9e/wish/178582451 Megan Stevens meganmerrill25 https://padlet.com/robbinst6/yjw740vhzo9e/wish/178613154 I think flex degrees could be beneficial in that it allows students to focus on learning new information instead of having to take courses in areas in which they already feel competent. I would be interested to see what the assessment looks like and how comprehensive it is. Information is always changing and what a student learned before may no longer be relevant. In general I think this is a great idea since it allows students to participate in classes they will actually find meaningful and will take more away from the classes because of it. We have been learning how important real life experiences are so if students are able to demonstrate they have the knowledge based off their experiences and they are competent in the area, I don't see why they should have to sit through a class that is not going to strengthen them as a learner. ]]> 2017-07-13 04:36:42 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/yjw740vhzo9e/wish/178613154 Kienan Allen https://padlet.com/robbinst6/yjw740vhzo9e/wish/178618355 Due to the abundance of overseas diploma mills, the now crashing on-line “universities” such as Phoenix and DeVry, I cannot in any way endorse this new push for accrediting “real-world experience”.  It is yet something else that devalues the perception of a degree.  The value of accreditation in the liberal arts or soft sciences from traditional institutions is already seen in much lower regard among employers than in the past.  

This is due to both a flooded job market and the impression of these once-venerable asylums as now ideological indoctrination and radicalization centers that churn out employees of little applicable use to companies, and at worst, HR liabilities.  Furthermore, such self-professed aptitudes are easy to embellish or outright fabricate, and the removal of staff that fail to live up to the heralds of their resumes is already a huge problem.  

Staton, M.  (2014).  The Degree is Doomed.  Harvard Business Review.  Retrieved from https://hbr.org/2014/01/the-degree-is-doomed

]]> 2017-07-13 06:06:15 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/yjw740vhzo9e/wish/178618355 Rachel Fielding https://padlet.com/robbinst6/yjw740vhzo9e/wish/178657422 I have mixed feelings regarding the concept of a flex degree. While I can see how this type of program can make attaining a higher education degree more accessible to adults,  and add value to their real life experiences and potentially the results of self-directed learning, I do believe there are certain degrees that should be omitted from the program. For example, I have a hard time with the idea of including degrees in the medical field in this type of program. I do not want to devalue the learning someone may have had as a result of military experience for example, but I just feel weird about the  idea of someone not going through the standard classes and requirements to learn those serious skills.

Additionally, I feel that offering flex degrees and the option to apply credit to life experience, devalues the worth of our system of higher education and the caliber of degrees offered.


]]> 2017-07-13 16:23:13 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/yjw740vhzo9e/wish/178657422 Christina Hughes https://padlet.com/robbinst6/yjw740vhzo9e/wish/178689782 I do think flex degrees are a great idea, but ensuring quality is high is key, like many online or alternative education programs. I think providing as much flexibility for learners as possible to complete their degree and or get a degree that enables them to do the job they want to
 better themselves or their family situation should be a top priority. I am curious about what the assessment would look like, who assesses it, how does it translate into other courses, etc. Are students missing something that they would learn in the class, maybe not topic specific, by skipping multiple classes? I think making education more relevant, available, and affordable are all great things, I would hope that quality of coursework after the assessing and the assessing would be strong enough to ensure adequate knowledge. 

I thought it was interesting that among the first degrees UW talked about implementing was Nursing/ Information Systems- those seem like interesting choices- I would have imagined more traditional topics like business. But if the goal is to help people get into their careers faster or grow on their military experience for example, maybe more specialized degrees are the way to go. Fascinating!

]]> 2017-07-14 03:40:16 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/yjw740vhzo9e/wish/178689782 flex degrees-Kristi Mix https://padlet.com/robbinst6/yjw740vhzo9e/wish/178717927 I love the idea of flex degrees. Although I recognize this can be complicated for instructional institutions to design and implement the programs. One of the things that can happen when you go back to school is the sense that you are learning things that are not practical for your life but simply taking requirements for that degree. There is a difference between core courses that provide the basic introduction to topics and more advanced courses that allow you to go in depth with a topic. I like the idea of students being able to use their life experience to pass through the basic courses and move on to the more advanced courses where the enjoyment and meaning in school can be greater.]]> 2017-07-14 14:14:36 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/yjw740vhzo9e/wish/178717927 Carmenlydia Reggans reggansc https://padlet.com/robbinst6/yjw740vhzo9e/wish/178746912 I feel that this a great opportunity for adults who have not completed college to re-enter the higher education arena. I feel the that developing authentic culture responsive assessments , in different languages, with project base options is critical in reaching diverse population of learners. Expected outcomes also need to be communicated prior to assessments. I think the State of Washington should continue to explore developing quality  programs in all our higher education institutions.










 ]]> 2017-07-15 05:50:23 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/yjw740vhzo9e/wish/178746912 Anna Crow https://padlet.com/robbinst6/yjw740vhzo9e/wish/178766147 This kind of degree and credit is available at my undergraduate university, university of Wisconsin Milwaukee. I know a few people who were able to use their City Year experience to pass classes that they already had knowledge in. I think this is a great idea and makes degrees more accessible to many people who have the experience and need their degree to excel in their field. Also, in my experience students still take a class and have conversation, they are just able to pass out of other classes as they are taking the one. I understand how some could see this as an out or not actual experience, however, I think the accessibility of the degree and education is the most important aspect. ]]> 2017-07-15 20:36:48 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/yjw740vhzo9e/wish/178766147 Dr. Robbins' response robbinst6 https://padlet.com/robbinst6/yjw740vhzo9e/wish/178771073 You all really did a good job of capturing the tension of accessibility/affordability versus holistic-- and to some degree, humanistic-- education.  Several of you also pointed out the challenge of implementing and standardizing such a program.  
 
In my experience these are the right questions!  When I taught at Texas State we offered PLA as part of our Bachelors degree program. Our program specifically targeted "non-traditional" students who had started, but not finished, an undergraduate degree. Offering credit for experience helped many of them achieve the important BA credential while working full time for relatively low cost of time and money.  Many of my students stated that without this option, they would not have returned to school.
 
However, the process of allotting credit for their experience was neither simple nor straight-forward.  Students spent the equivalent of a three credit course cataloguing their experience using a complicated narrative process.  These essays were then scored against a rubric by faculty and credits awarded.  The whole process was not transparent for the student and there was so much variability.  Some students received 3 credits and others up to 30, sometimes reflecting experience, other time reflecting writing skill and care on the written reflection.  While I believe in the premise, I don't think we are not quite there in making this process fair and transparent for students.  
]]> 2017-07-16 00:52:55 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/yjw740vhzo9e/wish/178771073 Matt Posner https://padlet.com/robbinst6/yjw740vhzo9e/wish/178801083 The idea of flex degrees for programs in the hard sciences and very knowledge-based assessment makes plenty of sense. There are a good number of people who have experience in a field before they attend school in that program. Having a degree in the sciences, I can see how people who had some related experience out in the field through such avenues as the military might be qualified for this idea of a flex degree. I became more interested while watching this video in how this might apply to the social sciences. There are plenty of times where I read about an educational theory that seems intuitive once I have read it. I sometimes have a feeling that I had that idea about a subject, but I could never have verbalized the idea before reading. While I never had conceptualized a lot of these theories, I certainly followed their logic. I think this gets at a need for this process of conceptualization that is not often achieved just from informal learning. ]]> 2017-07-16 19:59:14 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/yjw740vhzo9e/wish/178801083