Education Commons^™

A Current Overview Of Recognition Of Prior Learning (Rpl) In Irish Higher Education, Phil O'Leary, Deirdre Goggin, Irene Sheridan

Conference Papers

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process whereby learning that has taken place prior to enrolment on a programme of study is explored, recognised and given value in the context of a destination award. In general terms this includes the recognition, evidencing and valuing of relevant and current formal, non-formal and informal learning. A broad aim of RPL is to encourage people to enter or re-enter formal education and to achieve qualifications through sensitive and accessible pathways. This is very much in keeping with the concept of lifelong learning as defined by Behringer and Coles (2003) as ‘learning activity …

E-Learning In Higher Education For Adult Learners In Singapore, Guan Chong, Ding Ding, Kong Weng Ho

Research Collection School Of Economics

Countries across the world have witnessed tremendous expansion of adult education and dramatic growth of adult learners. Moreover, with the growing importance of life-long learning, online learning has become a popular tool which is well received by adult learners. In order to enhance adult learners’ learning experience, we have conducted an exploratory research on online learning for adult learners to understand the challenges faced by them in their pursuit of higher education. The results suggest that technical trainings or preparations are needed prior to e-learning and infrastructure needs to be improved. The findings also emphasize on the importance of using …

An Exploration Of Rpl In Higher Education In Ireland With Particular Focus On Quality Assurance, Deirdre Goggin, Irene Sheridan, Phil O'Leary

Conference Papers

This paper focuses on examining the practice of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) a provision which allows a learner present previously acquired relevant learning for assessment for credit. In general all forms of learning are formally recognised within an RPL system which includes informal, non formal and formal learning. The key misconception within higher education can be that RPL requires a different quality assurance system than that of conventional assessment methods.

This paper explores current assessment policies and practices in Ireland with a particular focus on the structural realities required to deliver good practice with RPL provision for summative purposes. …

Research Brief: "Empty Promise: Black American Veterans And The New Gi Bill", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This study found that despite the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 expanding educational benefits for military veterans who have served since September 11, 2001, African American veterans are utilizing GI benefits less than other ethnic groups. In practice, institutions of higher education (IHE) must recognize that veterans have acquired life skills that can be assessed and worthy of academic credit, and employers should seriously consider African American veterans as potential employees, regardless of whether they have competed a college degree. In policy, the DoD and the VA might partner together to better ensure that African American service members …

Learning With Digital Technologies: Privileging Persons Over Machines, Mary E. Hess

Faculty Publications

Learning with digital technologies, at least when framed by moral commitments, requires lifting up specific epistemological frames, beginning with a conviction that learning involves human persons in interdependent communities who are involved in a shared search for truth. Such a conviction necessitates moving from teaching-centered to learning-centered pedagogies, and from explicit content to shaping tacit forms of knowing. Digital technologies can prove highly beneficial when used within those constraints.

Facilitating External Engagement And Developing Industry-Focused Programmes In Cork Institute Of Technology, Irene Sheridan, Deirdre Goggin, Daithí Fallon

Conference Papers

As organisations focus on economic indicators and return on investment their approaches to learning and development opportunities are transformed. In a challenging, competitive climate there is a need to ensure that long and short term benefits are maximised. While engagement is often presented as a third mission of universities, encompassing the full range of external interactions with enterprises, individuals and communities, separate and distinct from the first two missions of teaching and research, is only effective if it is closely interlinked with them.

Vorley and Nelles (2008) describe the third mission as a ‘thread that has the capacity to weave …

Research Brief: "The Effect Of 21st Century Military Service On Civilian Labor And Educational Outcomes", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This study aims to understand the effect military service post-9/11 has on veterans, as it found veteran status positively affects minorities and women. In practice, 21st century veterans are as employable and satisfied with their civilian occupation as their non-veteran counterparts, and veterans seeking employment and career opportunities should continue utilizing VetSuccess. In policy, the VA and policymakers might evaluate current services, and focus on employment experiences and reasons veterans seek education post-service. Suggestions for future study include improving the external validity by using larger samples, as well as including datasets with older 21st century veterans to better account for …

Research Brief: "Veteran Ally: Practical Strategies For Closing The Military-Civilian Gap On Campus", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This study examines what changes universities and colleges can make to lessen transitional challenges for student veterans. In practice, through building relationships with other student veterans and their supporters, incoming student veterans could potentially feel more connected to the student body and the university. In policy, DoD and VA administrators might work with college campuses to provide training resources for educators and university officials on how to best address concerns and issues student veterans commonly have upon their arrival to campus and throughout their academic career. Suggestions for future research include determining if the study results are geographically generalizable among …

Introduction From The Special Issue Editors: Preparing Graduate Students For A Changing World Of Work, Bethany Osborne, Sara Carpenter, Megan Burnett, Carol Rolheiser, Cynthia Korpan

Publications and Scholarship

Introduction article for a special issue of the Canadian Journal of Higher Education. The issue represents the growing recognition of changes in the career paths and trajectories of graduate students, as well as the deepening interest in the support and development of professional knowledge and skills in advanced degree holders.

The call for proposals for this issue sought contributions that theorized the problem of graduate student development, reports on empirical research, and/or illuminated comparative models for work in the Canadian context to inform the growing field of graduate student support in Canada. The goal of this special issue is to …

Research Brief: "Student Veterans In Transition: Re-Enrolling After War Zone Deployments", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This study examines the individual-level transitions encountered by student veterans (National Guard and Reserve members) as they re-enroll in college post-deployment, while also attempting to account for the complexities of student and veteran identities. In practice, service members who are re-enrolling in college at the undergraduate level should seek out support groups for student veterans, and most universities have focused attention on ensuring that veterans understand their available benefits, which is a significant step forward; however, universities should also implement support services for veterans in the form of student veteran organizations and support groups. Suggestions for future study include having …

Research Brief: "Coming Home: Student Veterans’ Articulation Of College Re-Enrollment", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This study indicated that veterans experienced initial academic challenges but employed maturity, mission mentality, and perseverance to mitigate these obstacles. In practice, identifying student veterans as they enter and re-enroll in college is crucial, as some may not overtly identify as military veterans. Policymakers can work to create policies that provide resources and support for educational institutions focused on positive outcomes for student veterans. Suggestions for future study include obtaining a random, diverse sample of veterans, as well as comparing veterans’ experiences across institutions with strong military heritage and those without such a history in order to determine whether or …

Research Brief: "U.S. Military Veterans Transition To College: Combat, Ptsd, And Alienation On Campus", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This study uses stress process theory to explore the effects of various stressors and resources on student veterans’ campus experiences. In practice, on-campus initiatives should focus on social integration for student veterans, as many have stated that they do not fit in on campus, or feel unfairly judged by faculty and their peers. In policy, policymakers can ensure that educational institutions with student counseling and resource centers hire trained professionals for those centers. Suggestions for future study include using longitudinal data to investigate the relationship between combat experiences, available resources, and the severity of mental health problems over time, as …

Motivational And Persistence Factors For Military Spouses Earning A College Degree, Lisa A. Keenan

STEMPS Theses & Dissertations

Projections estimated that nontraditional student enrollment in post-secondary education would increase by 19% as compared to traditional student enrollments of 10% from 2006 through 2017. Adult students were less likely to complete a college degree compared to traditional students, and drop-outs cost taxpayers billions of dollars in lost taxes. Military spouses were a sub-group of nontraditional students with unique challenges and stressors due to their military lifestyle. Limited research-based literature existed on military spouses enrolled in post-secondary education. Financial incentives such as My Career Advancement Account (MyCAA) and the transferability of the Post-9/11 GI Bill enabled military spouses to participate …

Research Brief: "Serving Those Who Have Served- Managing Veteran And Military Student Best Practices", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This study focuses on the role of the academic institution and the military student management, as the successful management of “military students” brings benefits to the student, the academic institution, and the community. In practice, a combination of the expansion of online education and the implementation of the Post-9/11 GI Bill Veterans Benefits Program has resulted in an increase of military student presence on college campuses and in online educational programs nationwide. In policy, collaborating with various departments on and off campus, such as the Admissions Office, Registrar’s Office, Finance Department, Financial Aid Office, University Counseling Center, Asheville Veterans Administration …

Restorative Practices: Graduate Students' Perspectives Seen Through A Transformative Learning Lens: A Dissertation, Craig W. Adamson

Educational Studies Dissertations

This dissertation explores students’ learning experiences in a newly accredited graduate school focused on Restorative Practices Theory, which enables people to restore and build community collectively. This exploration was conducted using a Transformative Adult Learning Theory lens in order to understand graduate students’ perspectives regarding their learning experiences. Data were gathered using a qualitative and quantitative mixed method concurrent nested strategy design (Creswell, 2003). Fifteen total participants at multiple phases of graduate study made up the sample, including both current students and alumni. Participants were involved in a semi-structured interview, submitted a previously completed course reflection paper and gave permission …

Recognition Of Prior Learning And The Irish National Framework Of Qualifications: A Practical Approach, Deirdre Goggin

Conference Papers

No abstract provided.

Are Mbas And Master's Degrees Worth It? A Discussion Of Wages, Job Security And Business Cycles, Claire Foley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Since the 1970s, recessions have become more frequent and severe, causing major changes to the labor market and the importance of education. This study focuses on the problems for employees with master's degrees and MBAs, and asks three questions: 1) Do employees with graduate degrees have higher earnings than bachelor's degree recipients, 2) Do they experience greater job security as a result of their additional education, and 3) Is graduate school a way to avoid unemployment during a recession? Ordinal logistic regression analysis is conducted and finds that master's degrees and MBAs experience very different outcomes, with much higher returns …

Partnerships For Progress, Higher Education Institutions And External Engagement Conference Proceedings 2010, Roadmap For Employment - Academic Partnerships, Margaret Linehan, Irene Sheridan

Conference Papers

This publication is derived from the presentations and discussions at the Partnerships for Progress Conference on Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and External Engagement organised by the Roadmap for Employment-Academic Partnership (REAP) project in Farmleigh House, 23 September 2010. The Conference aimed to explore the potential scope for external engagement activity and the motivation for partnership as well as how that activity can be supported and managed and how success can be measured and rewarded. The REAP project is funded through the Higher Education Authority (HEA) Strategic Innovation Fund Cycle 2. The Project is led by Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) …

Institutional Factors Supporting The Enrollment And Persistence Of African-American Males In Virginia Community Colleges, Alfred A. Roberts

Educational Foundations & Leadership Theses & Dissertations

The participation and persistence rates of African-American males in American institutions of higher education consistently trail those of other ethnic and gender subgroups. These national enrollment, graduation, and transfer statistics are reflected in the member institutions of the Virginia Community College System (VCCS). The purpose of this study was to determine which of the 23 member colleges of the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) have been able to enroll and graduate or transfer the highest proportional number of African-American male students and to identify the institutional characteristics and practices that best predict the enrollment and persistence of African-American males.

The …

Continuing Education At Purdue University: The First Hundred Years (1874–1974), Frank K. Burrin

Continuing Education

The History of Continuing Education at Purdue: The First Hundred Years (1874–1974) was compiled from documents and manuscripts left by Dr. Frank K. Burrin. After his retirement, Dr. Burrin set himself the task of writing a coherent, full-length history of Purdue's contributions to continuing education. Unfortunately, his project was left incomplete at his death. Fortunately, his friends and colleages at the university were unwilling to let his dream die with him. The present monograph is the result of their concern.

The fragmentary nature of the surviving manuscript made it impossible either to reconstruct Dr. Burrin's original plan for the organization …