The MPLAN PEARL Award is given for the Pursuit of Excellence in the Assessment and Recognition of prior Learning.
PEARL 2013: Learning Agents
Background for this Award
Learning Agents is a small, Winnipeg-based producer of solutions for learning in the field of Adult Education. Its clients include relevant provincial and federal government departments, postsecondary institutions, sector councils and NGO’s. The Principal of Learning Agents is Mr. Don Presant.
Pursuit of Excellence
Learning Agents has done innovative and groundbreaking work in two areas:
- Access to creating enhanced ePortfolios*
- A unique RPL-related website
In addition to bringing forward these innovations, Learning Agents has worked successfully with different Manitoba Government departments, to establish public, community-based access to these important new RPL tools. Finally, Learning Agents has been a model of collegial sharing. It has shared its findings as well as news on the latest RPL developments with others in the field of RPL at conferences in Manitoba, in other provinces, and abroad.
Results Achieved
Learning Agents has done important and often groundbreaking work on enhancing both the content of and (with ongoing funding from the provincial government) access to the creation of ePortfolios in this province. In addition it has created and established, again with funding from the Manitoba government, a widely used, (hundreds of thousands of page visits) innovative and invaluable RPL-related website for recent immigrants. Finally it has shared its findings across this country and abroad and in so doing has enhanced Manitoba’s profile as a centre for world class innovation and achievement in the Recognition of Prior Learning and our reputation as a centre of excellence for RPL.
*Q: ePortfolios – What are they, exactly?
A: They are digital documents that often look like simple websites to their audiences. They generally have one or more web pages containing text, links to a resume or letters of recommendation, images, audio or video clips, slide presentations, etc. Creating an e-portfolio is that inward looking formative step of identifying and describing and/or demonstrating that specific part of our learning that we want others to recognise. Once the e-portfolio it is created, it becomes a summative document that can be sent to prospective employers or licensing bodies etc. to open the door to the next step – often an interview.
Note: Some ePortfolios contain video elements that simultaneously describe and quickly demonstrate the knowledge and skills of the learner (e.g. English language skills, communicative ability, presentation skills) within a minute or so and in so doing allow the gatekeeper to make an informed decision on whether to invest more time and effort with the applicant.
PEARL 2013: Red River College – Bridging Program for Internationally Educated Nurses (BPIEN)
Background for this Award
Increasing numbers of internationally educated nurses are immigrating to Manitoba intending to practice as registered nurses. Applicants register with the College of Registered Nurses in Manitoba and go through an assessment process to determine “competency to practice”. Eligible applicants are approved “for exam eligibility” and are required to write the Canadian Registered Nurse Exam (CRNE) within one year. The success rate for eligible applicants has been very limited. This has restricted potentially able and competent registered nurses from practicing in Manitoba.
Pursuit of Excellence
To address this problem, Red River College developed and piloted the Bridging Program for Internationally Educated Nurses (BPIEN) with financial and other supports from a number of government bodies (Please see Acknowledgments, below). The program has three levels which include language development, delivery of customized course content and supervised clinical practice.
The program is customized to identify and meet individual needs. Through an RPL competence assessment administered through the College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba (CRNM), eligible students are assessed to determine appropriate placement in the program. Instead of requiring individuals to repeat or relearn knowledge and skills, individuals go through this assessment process which includes academic qualifications and credentials as well as the Competency assessment. Based on the results, customized education is provided. The customized courses address the areas of identified deficiency. Individuals do not retake or relearn content from the areas where competence had been determined.
The BPIEN program has moved beyond the “pilot program” stage and has become an ongoing program offered at Red River College. It provides support and targeted curriculum to address the deficiency of knowledge and skills required to successfully complete the CRNM exam. This leads to increased levels of competency and self confidence which increases the likelihood of success in becoming a registered nurse in Manitoba. (See results Achieved, below.) On a personal level, the professional status of being a registered nurse, as well as the professional wage earned, enhances the lifestyle of individuals and families. For the community, this increases the number of competent and practicing registered nurses in Manitoba.
Results Achieved
The BPIEN program accepts 44 students per year which includes 2 intakes each of 22 students. There has been an increase in success rates for internationally educated applicants writing the CRNE exams. In the three most recent BPIEN classes before the PEARL Award was received students had achieved success rates of 95%.
Acknowledgements
The following organisations provided and /or continue to provide essential support to the BPIEN Program: Human Resources and Skills Development Canada; Manitoba Labour Market Strategy for Immigrants; Manitoba Advanced Education and Literacy; Manitoba Council on Post Secondary Education; Health Science Centre Assessment Centre; Health Canada.