PLAR (Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition) concentrates on studies of the evaluation and accreditation of learning outcomes, and includes the process of transferring informal into formal credits and awarding the certificates or other qualifications related to these, as well as that of having colleges recognise each other’s credits.
Thompson Rivers University (TRU), Canada and China Central Radio and TV University (CCRTVU, now the Open University of China, OUC) conducted cooperative research on Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR). Ever since the project was signed, both universities paid frequent visits to each other, thus laying a good foundation for cooperative research and smooth exchanges. In March 2008, a letter of intent on PLAR cooperative research was signed by CCRTVU and TRU. In November 2010, a letter of intent for cooperation was signed by CCRTVU and TRU. The opening ceremony for the OUC-TRU Joint Research Centre was held on the same occasion.
At the end of 2010, a PLAR pilot scheme in the field of education technology was carried out at Baodi Branch of Tianjin RTVU. The subjects of the research are mainly middle school and primary school teachers who enrolled for Educational Technology as their second bachelor degree. They are young and middle-aged teachers who actively participate in the basic education arena. The evaluation includes their work experience, interviews, trial lectures and written examinations.
In November 2011, an Annual Meeting and International Online Symposium on the Learning Outcomes Accreditation of the OUC-TRU Joint Research Center were held. TRU, Beijing Normal University, CCRTVU and some provincial RTVUs were present at the symposium. In January 2012, a seven-member OUC delegation was sent to TRU for PLAR training.
The Video Conference for the 2012 Annual Meeting and Credit Bank Programme of the OUC-TRU Joint Research Center was held on 14 September 2012. The main venue was in the OUC building for distance education. People present at the workshop included Li Linshu, Vice President of the OUC Zhang Shaogang, Vice President of the OUC, Dr. Wes Koczka, Associate Vice President International and CEO of the TRU World Global Operations, Dr. Gordon Tarzwell.
On 21 September, 2012, OUC Vice President Li Linshu led a delegation to TRU and attended the opening ceremony of the TRU-OUC Joint Research Centre.
In October 2012, the OUC chose two core members of the OUC Credit Bank Management Office and sent them to TRU for a three-week field investigation to conduct special research on PLAR.
In addition, based on PLAR research, TRU-OUC Joint Research Center will further expand cooperative research in other fields, and carry out relevant exploration and training, including online Teaching Chinese as a foreign language model.