Presentation Schedule
Navigating Experiential Learning: A Case Study of Adult Learners in the APEL Q Assessment Process (101049)
Session Chair: Kritchaya Poompin
Thursday, 26 March 2026 11:45
Session: Session 2
Room: Room 608 (6F)
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
There are many pathways for working adults to return to school in order to continue to pursue formal academic degrees; one such program is the Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning for Qualifications (APEL Q) which assesses adult learners based on their experiential knowledge rather than traditional coursework. Some distinct characteristics of this program, unlike other conventional ones, include no classes to take, no lecturers to refer to and no peers to share the learning journey with. This program thus opens a different pathway to academia and provides opportunities to those who are able to work independently. For APEL Q, assessment comprises 4 assessment instruments—portfolio development, workplace visits, a challenge test comprising five essays, and a capstone research paper—to meet program learning outcomes. Grounded in Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory and Mezirow’s Transformative Learning Theory, this qualitative case study investigates 3 adult learners’ strategies, challenges, and adaptations in navigating the program as they work towards completing the 4 main assessment instruments. Data collection includes in-depth interviews, document analysis of communication and workplace observations. Thematic analysis is employed to identify key patterns in learning experiences. Findings show that adult learners leverage on their prior knowledge and lived experiences when they engage with competency-based assessments. Additionally, they face personal and work-related challenges while demonstrating their learning. This study contributes to the understanding of adult learning in alternative credentialing programs and offers recommendations for improving experiential assessment practices.
Authors:
Jennifer Tan, HELP University, Malaysia
About the Presenter(s)
Dr Jennifer Tan is currently an Associate Professor at the Department of Education, HELP University, Malaysia.
See this presentation on the full schedule – Thursday Schedule
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