Prior Learning (PLAR)

The 23rd Annual PLA Conference

"HOLISTIC PRACTICE - PLANTING THE SEEDS FOR NEW WAYS OF LEARNING AND WORKING TOGETHER"

February 1, 2012

Dear Colleague:

The conference planning committee has been busy preparing for the 23rd Annual PLA conference to be held at the Travelodge Hotel (formerly the Ramada Inn), Belleville, ON, Tuesday, May 29 to Friday, June 1, 2012.

This year's conference is jointly sponsored by FNTI and Loyalist College. Loyalist faculty have played a key role on the conference planning committee and delivering workshops for over two decades. We are pleased to have Loyalist as a partner and co-sponsor this year.

The conference theme reflects the urgent need for different ways of thinking and acting in post-secondary education systems. It is critical to create long-term strategies that pro-actively take into account the larger systems in which we all function rather than trying to reactively fix isolated problems. This starts by developing a shared vision for change and building relationships based on trust and mutuality among individuals, groups, organizations and systems. It also includes adult learners as key players and respect for cultural diversity.

The conference focuses on three learning challenges: recognizing the significance of systems, collaborating across jurisdictions and identifying sustainable solutions and processes. We expect a diverse mix of national and international participants who will share experiences and practices which demonstrate the power and potential of PLAR to influence significant systemic change across boundaries.

Highlights include: a panel of learners from diverse backgrounds who will share their views on the long-term impact of PLAR on their lives; a presentation by Maria Hueichaqueo outlining the major outcomes of a recent symposium, "RPL, Ancestral Knowledge and Interculturalism", that took place in "Santiago, Chile, October, 2011. Banakonda Kennedy Kish Bell will share her experiences and insights implementing PLAR nationally and internationally over the past 27 years, "Indigenous and Mainstream Approaches to PLAR: Building Relationships, Building Respect, Achieving Balance".

Four pre-conference sessions will be offered this year:

• An Indigenous Approach to PLAR and Portfolio Development
• The PLAR Practitioner Training Program: The Key Roles of the PLAR Advisor and Assessor
• Beyond PLAR: Assessing Your Institution's Services to Adult learners Using the ALFI Self-Evaluation Tool
• Moving Forward on the Development of an International Indigenous RPL Network - Year IV

These sessions will begin at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, May 29 and conclude at 12 noon on Wednesday, May 30

A "Call for Presentations Form" is enclosed. It will be appreciated if those wishing to make a presentation would return the completed form by Friday, March 16, 2012.
For those wishing to display resource material, a resource room will be available. To make arrangements to display and share resources, please contact Paul Zakos at 613-396-2122 or 800-267-0637 ext. 129 or paulz@fnti.net.

Enclosed you will find information on conference sponsorship opportunities. We hope that either you or your organization will give serious consideration to assisting us with conference operating costs.
As always we look forward to having you join with us as we continue to build our shared vision of a more respectful, adult friendly approach to adult learning practice.

Yours truly

Paul Zakos, Chair
Conference Planning Committee

Enclosures

• Call for Presentations
• Registration Form
• Hotel Registration
• Sponsorship Opportunities
• February 01 Letter
• Agenda