WIL is not just about preparing students for work and careers, it is a teaching and learning approach which has the potential to provide a rich, active and contextualised learning experience for students which contributes to their engagement in learning. This is based on recognition that the workplace is a unique site for learning which affords learners different opportunities to learn than the lecture theatre or classroom does. It recognises that powerful learning can occur in workplaces and community settings. In this conception of WIL, it is not just about preparing students for their future careers (although this is undoubtedly one of the intended outcomes), but about students engaging in a range of different types of educationally purposeful experiences which are both experiential and self-directed.
As pedagogy, LiWC is a form of education that is grounded in experience as a basis for learning. There are a number of disciplines which inform the field of WIL. In particular experiential learning theories provide some clarity on the nature of the types of experience from which students can learn as well as the importance of critical reflection to ensuring the experience is meaningful. Kolb attempted to operationalise experiential learning by means of a four stage experiential learning cycle that included the stages of concrete experience, reflective observation, abstract conceptualisation and active experimentation (Kolb 1984:40). Kolb describes this approach as a ‘holistic integrative perspective on learning’ combining ‘experience, perception, cognition and behaviour’ (Kolb 1984:21) Effectiveness of learning from experience is widely considered to hinge on the act of critical reflection on this experience as in Kolb’s model.
This broader conception of WIL is demonstrated by VU’s statement that Learning in the Workplace and Community (LiWC) initiatives will provide:
• Opportunities to experience theoretical concepts as they are applied in practice and to learn in contexts which present them (students) with similar challenges to their life after and outside VU will.
• Opportunities to develop and apply generic and transferable skills (as formulated as VU’s Core Graduate Attributes and Employability Skills) in challenging situations.
• Opportunities to take responsibility for their own learning, through effective teaching and facilitation by academic and teaching staff, and informed and practicing workers, employers and community facilitators.(VU, 2007)
What is happening in Australian universities?
Work-integrated learning is already a fundamental part of the curriculum in some areas of professional education (e.g. Engineering, Nursing, Midwifery and Teaching). However, the interest in WIL is increasingly broader than these traditional areas. There is the notion that if WIL can be used in one discipline for enhancing learning, and enhancing graduate skills, this experience can inform other disciplines to achieve similar goals.
It has been noted that, ‘The majority of universities in Australia are increasing their involvement in WIL, whether through placement-type WIL or through more broadly ensuring strong industry/community engagement in their course delivery. In the last few years, and even in the last few months, many universities have added WIL to their strategic directions, and are funding and reshaping elements within their institution to enable that increased focus.’ 2 In a recent survey conducted by ACEN for the Carrick project ‘Over 70% of respondents (representing 15 universities) rated the importance of WIL as falling between 7 and 10, with 1 being not very important, and 10 being of a high level strategic importance.’ (Patrick 2008)
2 This
WIL is not just about preparing students for work and careers, it is a teaching and learning approach which has the potential to provide a rich, active and contextualised learning experience for students which contributes to their engagement in learning. This is based on recognition that the workplace is a unique site for learning which affords learners different opportunities to learn than the lecture theatre or classroom does. It recognises that powerful learning can occur in workplaces and community settings. In this conception of WIL, it is not just about preparing students for their future careers (although this is undoubtedly one of the intended outcomes), but about students engaging in a range of different types of educationally purposeful experiences which are both experiential and self-directed.As pedagogy, LiWC is a form of education that is grounded in experience as a basis for learning. There are a number of disciplines which inform the field of WIL. In particular experiential learning theories provide some clarity on the nature of the types of experience from which students can learn as well as the importance of critical reflection to ensuring the experience is meaningful. Kolb attempted to operationalise experiential learning by means of a four stage experiential learning cycle that included the stages of concrete experience, reflective observation, abstract conceptualisation and active experimentation (Kolb 1984:40). Kolb describes this approach as a ‘holistic integrative perspective on learning’ combining ‘experience, perception, cognition and behaviour’ (Kolb 1984:21) Effectiveness of learning from experience is widely considered to hinge on the act of critical reflection on this experience as in Kolb’s model.This broader conception of WIL is demonstrated by VU’s statement that Learning in the Workplace and Community (LiWC) initiatives will provide:• Opportunities to experience theoretical concepts as they are applied in practice and to learn in contexts which present them (students) with similar challenges to their life after and outside VU will.• Opportunities to develop and apply generic and transferable skills (as formulated as VU’s Core Graduate Attributes and Employability Skills) in challenging situations.• Opportunities to take responsibility for their own learning, through effective teaching and facilitation by academic and teaching staff, and informed and practicing workers, employers and community facilitators.(VU, 2007)What is happening in Australian universities?Work-integrated learning is already a fundamental part of the curriculum in some areas of professional education (e.g. Engineering, Nursing, Midwifery and Teaching). However, the interest in WIL is increasingly broader than these traditional areas. There is the notion that if WIL can be used in one discipline for enhancing learning, and enhancing graduate skills, this experience can inform other disciplines to achieve similar goals.It has been noted that, ‘The majority of universities in Australia are increasing their involvement in WIL, whether through placement-type WIL or through more broadly ensuring strong industry/community engagement in their course delivery. In the last few years, and even in the last few months, many universities have added WIL to their strategic directions, and are funding and reshaping elements within their institution to enable that increased focus.’ 2 In a recent survey conducted by ACEN for the Carrick project ‘Over 70% of respondents (representing 15 universities) rated the importance of WIL as falling between 7 and 10, with 1 being not very important, and 10 being of a high level strategic importance.’ (Patrick 2008)2 This
การแปล กรุณารอสักครู่..
