PLA Inside Out: An International Journal on Theory, Research and Practice in Prior Learning Assessment

PLA Inside Out (PLAIO) is the first scholarly online journal entirely devoted to the recognition and assessment of prior experiential learning.


Vol 2025, No 11 (2025): Special Issue: 5th Validation of Prior Learning Biennale Collection

Table of Contents

Introduction to PLAIO Special Issue

Introduction to the Special Issue of PLAIO on the 5th VPL Biennale
Ruud Duvekot, Susan Forseille, Alan Mandell, Nan Travers, Deirdre Goggin, Martina Needham, Carl Burkart
PDF

Welcome

Reflections from the Three Co-Chairs on the 5th VPL Biennale
Susan Forseille, Nan Travers, Andrina Wafer
PDF

5th Biennale Concept Paper

People, Validation, and Power: Democracy in Action?
Deirdre Goggin, Andrina Wafer
PDF

Interview Project

The VPL #5 Biennale Podcast Project
Andrew Skapenko, Rachel Kasten, Maria Casey

Keynote

Exploring 'Recognition' in the Recognition of Prior Learning: Democracy, Freedom, and RPL
Ted Fleming
PDF

Invited Essays: Inclusion

Exploring How Validation of Prior Learning (VPL) Empowers Individuals and Institutions in an Irish and Finnish Context
Sarah Barron, Amanda Butler, Fergus Craddock, Peter Pahlman
PDF
Embedding Consistent RPL Data Collection Processes in Irish Higher Education Institutions
Grace Edge, Christine McCabe, Aishling O'Toole
PDF
Empowering Students in Lifelong Learning: Forging a New Practice of VPL in Icelandic Universities
Anna Magnea Hreinsdóttir
PDF
When Cherries Spoil the Cake
Serge Ravet, Don Presant
PDF
Why Opening the Recognition of ALL Learning Credentials Matters
Julie Reddy
PDF
Cultural Competence Training as an Approach to Valuing Diverse Cultural Knowledge and Ways of Understanding 
Clare Walsh
PDF

Invited Essays: Individual

PLAR for Everyone: A New Way to Recognize Skills and Learning
Michelle Chisholm, Patrick Reinartz
PDF
RPL and Learning Incomes: Context, Relevance, and Social Justice in Higher Education
Armida De La Garza, Ciara Staunton
PDF
Preparing Youth for Validation and Self-Efficacy: Learning to Reflect in Surinamese Primary Education
Ruud Duvekot, Olten van Genderen
PDF
Recognizing Prior Learning (RPL) in the Context of Rural Community Development in Canada
Gary McNeely, Wayne Kelly
PDF
Degree Apprenticeships in England and the Recognition of Prior Learning: Democracy in Action?
Helen Pokorny
PDF
Collaborating and Sharing RPL Knowledge and Practice: The Case of the RPL Digital Badge in Ireland
Clare Walsh, Ciara Staunton
PDF

Invited Essays: Mobility

South Africa: Validation, Flexible Pathways and Systems, Inclusivity, Mobility
Heidi Bolton, Julia Staitai
PDF
Measuring Democracy in Design for Migrant and Refugee Skills Recognition
Deb Carr
PDF
Charting a Course Forward: Bringing the Top-Down and The Bottom-Up Together in Recognition, Validation, and Accreditation (RVA) for Migrants and Refugees
Katie Jones, Raúl Valdés Cotera
PDF
Why Don’t Dutch Teacher Education Long-Time Students Complete Their Qualification?: Validating Work-Based Learning Experiences for Equivalence
Jannie Lensen-Botter
PDF

Invited Essays: Skills

VPL: The Centrality of Knowledge Justification to Prior Learning Discourse
David Burns
PDF
"It's Still Quite a Bit Puzzling...": The Dutch Approach to Validation at NCOI University of Applied Sciences
Ruud Duvekot, Madeleine Farla, Irma Kolkman
PDF
Recognition of Prior Learning in Irish Higher Education: A Qualitative Study
Deirdre Goggin, Margaret Linehan, Irene Sheridan
PDF
Ready, Set, and Go for Validation!
Thomas Nylund
PDF
What Are the Underlying Forces in RPL? What Values, Beliefs, and Assumptions Are Significant?
Phil O'Leary
PDF
Validation, Employability, and Volunteering in Spain: The Case of the VOL+ Program
Maida Pieper, Beatriz Cedena
PDF
Adult Learners in Transition: New Careers Through Merit-Based Education
Charlotte Troelsen, Mette Beck
PDF

Conference Panels

Plenary Panel: Democracy and VPL
Borhene Chakroun, Julie Reddy, Diego Piazza-Almudi, Dae Joong Kang, Pauline Boivin
PDF
Plenary Panel: Connecting Learning Across Continents
Raúl Valdés-Cotera, Christine Hofmann, Ernesto Villalba-Garcia, Andrina Wafer, Brikena Xhomaqi
PDF
Plenary Panel: The Rudder that Sails the Ship: Exploring Policy Responses
Borhene Chakroun, Aline Juerges, Orla Lynch Lynch, Rhianna Rogers, Nan Travers
PDF
Plenary Panel: Closing Session
Gina Ebner, Susan Forseille, Alan Mandell, Irene Sheridan, Nan Travers, Andrina Wafer
PDF

Resources

The Term 'Prior Learning Assessment'
PLAIO Editors
PDF
Making Fewer Strangers: Networking Networks
PLAIO Editors
PDF
CEDEFOP (European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training)
PLAIO Editors

Announcements

PLAIO Webinar: Late Spring 2025
PLAIO Editors
Call for Contributions PLAIO#9
PLAIO Editors
Call for Contributions: PLAIO #10
PLAIO Editors

Editorial Board

Editorial Board
PLAIO Editors
PDF

Advisory Board

Advisory Board
PLAIO Editors
PDF