Prior Learning Formulae AA SL & AA HL

Prior learning refers to the knowledge, skills, and competencies an individual has acquired through various experiences outside of traditional academic settings. This includes learning from work, volunteer activities, hobbies, life experiences, non-credit courses, and self-study.

It means recognizing and valuing the diverse ways individuals learn and acquire expertise throughout their lives, beyond formal schooling. It's the accumulation of knowledge and skills from all life sources.

Yes, essentially it is. Prior learning is the sum total of everything an individual has learned and is capable of doing, regardless of where, when, or how that learning took place.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), often called Recognised Prior Learning, is the formal process by which educational institutions, employers, or professional bodies assess, validate, and grant credit or certification for learning gained outside of traditional formal education. It allows individuals to demonstrate what they know and can do against specific standards or learning outcomes.

It means having your existing skills, knowledge, and experience formally acknowledged and credited towards a qualification, course, or professional requirement, even if you didn't learn them through traditional classroom study.

Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) is a term frequently used in the UK and some other regions, similar in concept to RPL. It's the process of formally assessing and accrediting prior learning (both prior experiential learning and prior certificated learning) towards entry onto or credit within a program of study or professional qualification.

Accredited prior learning refers to learning that has been formally assessed and recognized as meeting specific academic or professional standards through a process like APL or RPL. Once accredited, this learning can often be used to gain credit or entry into further study.

A Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) is the method or set of methods used within the RPL/APL process to evaluate an individual's prior learning. Common PLA methods include portfolio review, challenge exams, interviews, skills demonstrations, and evaluation of certifications or work products. PLA is the tool used to determine the level and scope of prior learning.

This term combines the assessment process (PLA) with the formal acknowledgement (Recognition) of that learning. It encompasses the entire procedure of evaluating and then officially crediting an individual's skills and knowledge gained from non-traditional sources.

Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) is the academic credit or equivalent standing awarded to an individual as a result of a successful Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process. It means you receive formal credit towards a degree or qualification for learning you already possess.

Prior knowledge is crucial for effective learning. It significantly impacts how new information is processed and understood:

• Foundation: It provides a base to build upon, allowing learners to connect new concepts to existing mental models.
• Comprehension: Relevant prior knowledge makes it easier to understand and interpret new information.
• Retention: New information linked to existing knowledge is more likely to be remembered.
• Attention & Filtering: Helps learners identify what is important and filter out irrelevant details.
• Potential Hindrance: Incorrect or incomplete prior knowledge (misconceptions) can sometimes impede the learning of accurate new information if not addressed.

In short, prior knowledge is the lens through which new learning is viewed and integrated.

The role of prior knowledge is fundamental. It acts as the scaffolding for new information. Its importance lies in its ability to:

• Make learning more efficient and meaningful.
• Facilitate deeper understanding and critical thinking.
• Reduce cognitive load by providing context.
• Enable the transfer of learning to new situations.

Ignoring prior knowledge can lead to superficial understanding or difficulty connecting with new material.

Teachers use various strategies to gauge what students already know before teaching a new topic. Common methods include:

• Pre-tests or diagnostic assessments.
• Class discussions, brainstorming, or think-pair-share activities.
• Using graphic organizers like K-W-L charts (Know, Want to Know, Learned).
• Reviewing previous assignments or assessments.
• Concept mapping.
• Informal questioning and observation.

The process varies by institution or certifying body, but generally involves these steps:

1. Choose Your Goal: Identify the specific course or qualification you want credit for.
2. Contact the Provider: Speak to the admissions or RPL office of the institution/body.
3. Understand Requirements: Learn their specific PLA/RPL process, fees, and acceptable evidence.
4. Gather Evidence: Collect documents and materials that demonstrate your skills and knowledge (e.g., resume, job descriptions, training certificates, performance reviews, work samples, portfolio).
5. Prepare Application/Portfolio: Often involves writing narratives explaining how your experience meets learning outcomes.
6. Assessment: May include interviews, exams, demonstrations, or expert evaluation.
7. Receive Outcome: You'll be notified if credit is granted and how much.

In Machine Learning, specifically in Bayesian statistics, a "prior" (or prior probability) is a probability distribution that represents your initial belief about the likelihood of a model parameter or hypothesis before you observe any data. It's distinct from the concept of prior learning in an educational context. This initial belief is updated using data via Bayes' theorem to produce a "posterior" probability.