A Decade of Global Prior Learning Assessment: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

Prior learning assessment (PLA) uses testing or competency portfolios to assess and grant credit for college-level learning, thus offering personal and professional empowerment to adult learners. The purpose of this review was to systematically examine global academic literature related to PLA over a decade. An earlier review of U.S. literature focused solely on PLA, but this review focused on the globally used term recognition of prior learning (RPL) and prior learning assessment and recognition (PLAR). Data collection followed a structured process to identify all peer-reviewed journal articles published over a decade that meet inclusion criteria. Data analysis included thematic coding to identify categories leading to themes. Major findings included journals publishing about PLA, author perspectives and affiliations, underlying empirical studies, and eight major themes: studies of programs, policy and systems, studies of PLA, technology tools, theory building, assessment practices, workplace applications of PLA, and immigration. © 2022 Association for Continuing Higher Education.

Keywords

Author Keywords

Systematic literature review equality Immigration Prior learning assessment (PLA) prior learning assessment recognition (PLAR) recognition of prior learning (RPL)

Index Keywords

Author Affiliations

Department of Organization, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, United States

and Leadership Studies, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, United States

Funding & Acknowledgements

No funding information

References 10 References

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A Decade of Global Prior Learning Assessment: A Systematic Literature Review

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