Enhancing Collaboration in Tertiary Education Using Recognition of Prior Learning to Facilitate the Accessibility of Continuing Education

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Thank you for writing this article. With some revisions, this article could be strengthened and would provide a valuable educational source for researchers and practitioners, particularly for those involved with PLAR (Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition) and growing need for adult literacy and continuous learning. 

Suggestions for Improvement: 

1. The opening paragraphs could be explained with greater clarity. The frequent acronyms (FET, HE, RPL, etc.) can be distracting because they are so frequently used.
2. I would suggest clarifying the importance of prior learning and assessment in adult education in the opening paragraphs. You could provide specific concrete examples of skills assessed in Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR or RPL). 
3. There should be a clearer distinction between the adult educators and their aims to engage and facilitate adult literacy learning (literacy, numeracy, digital skills, etc.). To what extent are skills in global competencies ---such as creativity, collaboration, connection to self and others, citizenship, etc.)? Referencing more of the literature on adult literacy education and PLAR early on would provide a more concrete foundation that would be accessible to practitioners and theorists. 
4. *The practical value of PLAR (RPL) with respect to the adult learner and successful learning for work and life could be explained with greater clarity; otherwise, the article is essential just describing the programs and training initiatives. From this stance, it is highly "administrative" rather than grounded in adult learning principles. 
5. On p. 2 beginning with the paragraph opening sentence "Recognition of RPL...." is very short and it could be developed by following through with a concrete example that really differentiates--the adult educators, the technique of RPL, and the adult literacy learners. 
6. Some of the ideas are presented in point form in the research methodology; I think that longer paragraphs that include the "point form" ideas might be more effective from an organization perspetive. 
7. The paragraphs also include so many acronyms (LDC, LWETB, etc.) that sometimes can be hard to follow. Restating the full name with greater clarity on the purpose....would be important. Perhaps fewer examples but with more in-depth analysis of the profile would help with the overall clarity of the article. 
8. Why are the qualitative comments that are included throughout the article listed separately on pp. 15-19. Again, if fewer but more in-depth examples that are "theme based" in the analysis and discussion are presented, this would help with the overall clarity. I think that more specific adult learning references would be helpful. While there is the appropriate citation from Connelly and Clandinin to establish the value of qualitative methodology, what seems to be missing is a clearer focus on adult learning principles, specifically for adult literacy and the motivation for adult learners to seek out educational opportunities (something that is so important). 
9. Clearer explanations of the value of Prior Learning Recognition and Assessment could be provided. 
10. Future Directions and Limitations of the study could also be highlighted. 

Author Response

Many thanks for your considered and very helpful comments to strengthen the manuscript. Please find attached where your comments have been addressed within the manuscript.

We very much appreciate the feedback and hope we have addressed it to your satisfaction.

Many thanks for your time in reviewing our research.

 

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Please see my comments in the attached file.

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

Many thanks for your considered and very helpful comments to strengthen the manuscript. Please find attached where your comments have been addressed within the manuscript.

We very much appreciate the extensive and detailed feedback, in particular the time and care taken to do so. We now hope we have addressed it to your satisfaction.

Many thanks for your time in reviewing our research.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Find attached my comments.

Comments for author File: Comments.docx

Author Response

Many thanks again for all reviewer comments which we now feel have been addressed in full, in red for ease of reference.