Learning by Working

Abstract

Work placements can provide good opportunities for students to obtain meaningful learning and work experience. In Latvia, the quality of work placements varies and can lead to both excellent and dubious experience. The chapter aims at investigating how work placements can contribute to student development and how to organize work placements of high quality by exploring examples of good practice of organizing work placements in the companies in Latvia. The results indicate that the most important factor to ensure quality work placements is the interest and motivation of the companies which stems from their need for qualified workers, strategic goals, and sustainable working practices. Quality work placements include the following elements: selection of trainees, discussing the goals of and the program of work placement, assigning the supervisor, preparation for and implementation of work placement, as well as the evaluation. The chapter provides various examples and suggestions on how to improve the learning experience during work placements considering constructionism learning ideas.