Conference presentation
WIL - here, there, then anywhere...from home
SCU Scholarship of Learning and Teaching Symposium (Online, 10/11/2020 - 12/11/2020)
10/11/2020
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Abstract
<p>Work-integrated learning (WIL) is a common component of university curricula design for many disciplines. There are different WIL experiences, including internships, practicums, clinical placements, volunteering, case studies, community programs, fieldwork, role plays, simulations, and virtual projects. Although alternative models of WIL are being designed and implemented, off-campus internship placements were the most common form of WIL prior to COVID-19 (Jackson, 2017; Orrell, 2011). The COVID-19 situation required exploration and experimentation with new ways of engaging with industry partners.</p><p>The School of Business and Tourism’s (SBaT) WIL program consists of a workplace preparation unit and a capstone internship placement. The program is a core requirement for undergraduate tourism, and hospitality and event management students; an elective for postgraduate tourism and hospitality management students; and an elective for undergraduate and postgraduate business and IT students. Traditionally, the curriculum and pedagogical approach in the WIL program centred on face-to-face industry engagement where students undertake their internship placements predominantly in service industry roles.</p><p>In response to the COVID-19 situation universities acted swiftly to transition to online classes. WIL educators faced the additional challenge of designing and delivering innovative solutions to enable students to continue to learn in partnership with industry. Approaches adopted in Session 1 for students undertaking placements included reducing required work placement hours, completing placement tasks remotely, and undertaking alternative project-based industry experiences via Practera, a third-party provider. In Session 2, students had the option of deferring their internship enrolment or completing substitute units, including the Community Engagement Project unit with all tasks completed remotely. The internship units are available in Session 3, but only remote/online placements will be undertaken to mitigate COVID-19 risks. In the WIL preparation units students engaged with industry partners via technology rather than on-campus class presentations. Additionally, students were encouraged to undertake a remote online project with ReadyGrad, a third-party provider, as preparation for future remote internship placements.</p><p>Strategies implemented enabled students to meet the learning outcomes of the WIL units. Student and industry feedback regarding these alternative teaching and learning strategies in the WIL units was mixed. The new ways of thinking and doing WIL, when COVID-19 restrictions impact on face-to-face activities, has prompted us to question our reliance on placements where students complete tasks within a physical workplace. Adopting an approach of preparing students for the <em>workforce</em> rather than the <em>workplace</em> may present additional teaching and learning opportunities in WIL units.
Details
- Title
- WIL - here, there, then anywhere...from home
- Creators
- Julia Caldicott - Southern Cross UniversitySharen Nisbet - Southern Cross University
- Conference
- SCU Scholarship of Learning and Teaching Symposium (Online, 10/11/2020 - 12/11/2020)
- Identifiers
- 991013144813302368
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Business, Law and Arts; Management
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Conference presentation
- Local Fields
- Evidence Based Practice - SoLT