Full time study, part time Full time study, part time work: work: undergraduate’s learning undergraduate’s learning from employment.from employment.
Joanne Blake. Joanne Blake. University of Huddersfield Sept 2007University of Huddersfield Sept 2007
The Research Project
2 Year WBL Assessment and Credit Project
Survey of full time student’s part time work Development of WBL module on
undergraduate programmes Academic credit for sandwich placements Employer Engagement Progression to HE from non-traditional routes
Incidence of Student p.t term time work 40% 2004 (Mori & Unite) 53% 2005 (UUK
50% increase between 1996 and 2006 (TUC)
HUBS Students at work
343 completed questionnaires
226 (66%) work in term time92% 6 hours +34% 10 – 14 Hours30% 15 hours +
Employer Types
Type of company
Count %
supermarket 48 21.1% retail store 48 21.1% manufacturing company 7 3.1%
contact centre 16 7.0% bar/ restaurant/ hotel 50 21.9% other 59 25.9%
‘Other’ categories
Hospitals and NHS departments Sports organisations Estate Agency Banks and financial institutions Govt depts eg immigration, Revenue &
Customs Marketing Accountancy practices
Supervisory Cash handling
Customer care Admin
Problem solving
29.9% 66.2% 78.4% 26.4% 47.6% Comms Team work IT skills Marketing Sales 77.1% 85.3% 35.1% 19.5% 44.2%
Skills Developed
The Student View
72% of respondents would like to be able to gain academic credit for p.t work
70% of respondents thought their work was not worthy of academic credit
However, through student interviews comparability of learning was comprehended.
Student interviews
Time management, self management and working under pressure;
How to prioritise work and organisational skills
Working with others, how to deal with people and social skills
Dealing with difficult situation, conflict Self monitoring skills, patience, remaining
calm and not being “hot headed.
HEI’s WBL modules
Contact with 34 Business Schools 60% of business schools contacted have work
based learning on traditional 3 year undergraduate degrees.
WBL modules of varying credit value (between 15 and 30) at all levels and sometimes being a compulsory element for those students who had not undertaken a sandwich degree.
The Proposed Module
Pilot module with small cohort of students Intermediate PD & WBL 5 hours part time work p/wk Paid or un-paid PD reflective portfolio Project in term 2
Week
Title Concepts
1 Introduction to Module
What is work based learningSkills and knowledge developed in the workplaceMaintaining a learning log & Collating evidence
3 Reflection and articulation of learning
Techniques for reflection in the workplaceReviewing feedback within the workplaceEnhanced learning diaries
5 & 7
Developing Creativity
An introduction to tools for creativityThe importance of creativity and enterprise
9 Project Planning
Selecting a work based project. Learning ContractsManaging the project. Risk Analysis
12 Formative Assessment
Portfolios to be submitted for formative assessment
The next step
Monitoring and evaluation of pilot scheme WBL at other levels WBL within post –graduate courses How make avail in HUBS Effect on other aspects of the curriculum
