Expanding Knowledge Acquisition Frontiers in University Education

One of the fundamental principles of contemporary postsecondary education system is that knowledge is rooted in experience. Contemporary andragogy and experiential learning theories recognise the ability of people to learn in a variety of places, times, and styles, thereby challenging rigid, subject-matter-centred pedagogies. Accreditation of Learning Outcomes (ALO) is the assessment of previously unrecognized skills and knowledge an individual has achieved outside the formal education and training system. The ALO initiative is imbued with substantial potential to benefit learners, higher education sectors, employers, and the society at large. This chapter reviews the concept of ALO and successful initiatives for standardising the accreditation process for learning from experience—work experience, in-service training, self-study, or community work—in South Africa. Approaches for addressing the barriers encumbering ALO implementation are discussed.