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Course Description

The students will explore their prior learning from varied experiences through the lens of eight competencies. Students will consider their own personal learning philosophies and strategies to articulate and document their learning in a competency-based PLAR (prior learning and assessment recognition) portfolio. 

 

Upon successful completion of this course, students may have the opportunity to petition for PLAR credits toward electives in their program via an additional PLAR assessment. Please contact PLAR@tru.ca to explore this possibility (students will also be asked to confirm with their program advisors here).

Note: Bachelor of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Design students cannot receive additional PLAR credits toward their program through this process; however, a separate PLAR process is available to potentially petition for their Studio Credits. Please contact PLAR for more information.

Learning outcomes

  • Reflect on life and career experiences to document and celebrate prior learning.
  • Analyze the difference between experience and learning.
  • Explore adult learning theories.
  • Explore multiple ways of knowing.
  • Create a portfolio documenting prior learning.  

Course topics

  • PLAR Competencies in Eight Domains
  • Community of Inquiry
  • Evidence of Learning
  • Theories of Adult Learning
  • Use of Criteria
  • Identifying Personal Strengths
  • The Wisdom of Peers
  • Tapping into Mapping
  • Motivation
  • Gratitude

Required text and materials

The following Open Education Resources (OER) textbook, free of charge, is required and will be provided within this course:

  1. Bell, S., & Ives, C. (2023). PLAR 2001: Introduction to Reflective Practice and PLAR Portfolio Building. Thompson Rivers University.

Assessments

To successfully complete this course, students must achieve a passing grade of 50% or higher on the overall course. 

Assessment 1 10%
Assessment 2 25%
Assessment 3 25%
Assessment 4 30%
Assessment 5 10%
Total 100%

Prerequisites

  • Because this course will require students to draw on previous uncredited learning, students should have several years of life and/or volunteer and/or employment experience post-high school in order to succeed in this course. Students who have previously completed and/or received credit for a competency-based portfolio are not eligible to receive credit for this course.
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Enrol now - select a section to enrol in

Section Title
Introduction to Reflective Practice and PLAR Portfolio Building
Duration
14 weeks
Dates
Sep 09, 2026 to Dec 15, 2026
Delivery
Online, paced  
Course Fee(s)
Canadian in BC/YT non-credit $853.78 Click here to get more information
Canadian outside BC/YT non-credit $965.02 Click here to get more information
International Student non-credit $1,708.78 Click here to get more information
Available for Credit
3 credits

Section Notes

Note: Online paced delivery method requires approval due to class size as the minimum number of students registered must be met in order for the course to run. We will contact you via email with more details upon registration.

Open Learning faculty member information

An Open Learning faculty member is available to assist students. Students will receive the necessary contact information at the start of the course.

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