Tom Irwin, Artist/Musician, Liberal Studies Major
and Credit for Prior Learning at UIS
"The AST305 credit for prior learning course helped me to think differently about past, present, and future goals by
forcing me (in a good way) to look at my past life to forge a future. I've never been one
to analyze the future or plan far ahead with great goals in mind. This course presented
a way to attach the past to my present (UIS) and look toward the future (degree and
beyond).
The CPL course was useful to me first as a practical tool for creating
college credit for previously completed life work. Secondly, the introspective assessments required to complete to course
have been useful in evaluating my life in all stages of being.
Credit for prior learning awards credit, both figuratively and literally,
to adults who have devoted their lives to learning, doing, helping, and creating without first getting
college degrees. The hope given is undenied and indefineable.
Inspiring
adults to work at what the heart directs and what the gut requires gives them the
opportunity to be awarded credit and respect for those instinctive moves not always recognized by
society. I see this as a credit to UIS and the responsibility it carries to the world beyond the classroom.
In other words, UIS gains respect from society by aiding those who have achieved in other ways
than by getting a college degree. It offers hope and help to alternative
learners and that is a good thing in this constantly shrinking world of increasing standardization."
