Work-based Learning Practice Research Articles

A REVIEW OF THE PRACTICE OF WORK-BASED LEARNING (WBL) AT HIGHER EDUCATION LEVEL IN THE UK

The aim of the study is to review the practice of work-based learning (WBL), based on the experience of higher education institutions in the United Kingdom. Methods. The methods of system and comparative analysis, synthesis and generalization are used. Results. The background and development of WBL is given; the importance and value of this form of education in the modern, rapidly changing society is shown. The main characteristics are selected and basic aspects of WBL programs profitable different from traditional university programs are designated: relevance to real production processes; student centricity; flexibility of con-tent which is built proceeding from interests of an employer and a student; high extent of integration of various disciplines and fields of knowledge; recognition of the prior certified and independent training; optimization of time expenditure; possibility of the choice of the place of training, its sequence, schedule of control actions, and other advantages. Options of a program implementation of WBL, complexity of their implementation and methods of their overcoming are described. A few critical remarks concerning WBL programs are also presented. Scientific novelty. For the first time the analytical review of WBL practice at a higher education level, which is widespread in English-speaking countries over the last 25 years, is presented in the Russian scientific literature in education. Practical significance. The materials provided in the article can be useful to heads of services of professional development, managers and teachers of higher education institutions. The materials provided in the article can be useful to heads and teachers of institutions of higher education; methodologists of structures of vocational preparation and advanced training of personnel of high technology productions; the employers heading large-scale industries and interested in upgrading of employees’ educational level.

A study of transferable skills for Work based Learning (WBL) Assessment

Transferable skills are learnt abilities which are mainly acquired when experiencing work. University students have the opportunities to develop the knowledge and aptitude at work when they undertake WBL placement during their studies. There is a range of transferable skills which students may acquire at their placement settings. Assessing the achievement of students on practice learning based on the transferable skills is regarded as being complex and tedious due to the variability of placement settings. No attempt has been made in investigating whether these skills are assessable at practice settings. This study seeks to define a set of generic transferable skills that can be assessed during WBL practice. Quantitative technique was used involving the design of two questionnaires. One was administered to University of Mauritius students who have undertaken WBL practice and the other was slightly modified, destined to mentors who have supervised and assessed students at placement settings. To obtain a good representation of the student’s population, the sample considered was stratified over four Faculties. As for the mentors, probability sampling was considered. Findings revealed that transferable skills may be subject to formal assessment at practice settings. Hypothesis tested indicate that there was no significant difference among male and female as regards to the application of transferable skills for formal assessment. A list of core transferable skills that are assessable at any practice settings has been defined after taking into account their degree of being generic, extent of acquisition at work settings and their consideration for formal assessment. Both students and mentors assert that these transferable skills are accessible at work settings and require commitment and energy to be acquired successfully.

The Effectiveness of Summative Assessment in Work-Based Learning Practice

Summative assessment aims at providing measurement of student's understanding. It is argued that summative assessment is used for reporting and reviewing, besides providing an overall judgment of achievement. While summative assessment is a well defined process for learning that takes place in the classroom environment, its application within the Work-based Learning (WBL) practice environment is still being structured. This paper discusses the effectiveness of summative assessment in WBL practice from a mixed-method research study involving both quantitative and qualitative analysis. A survey questionnaire was designed for exploring the perceptions of mentors and students about summative assessment in WBL practice. The questionnaire was administered to the University of Mauritius students and mentors who supervised students for their WBL practice at the respective placement settings. Some students were also interviewed to capture their views and experiences about the application of summative assessment in WBL practice. Semi-structured interviews were also conducted with three experienced mentors who have assessed students on WBL practice. Findings reveal that most students had positive experiences about their summative assessments in WBL practice. They felt comfortable and confident to be assessed by their mentors in their placement settings and wished that the effort and time that they devoted to their learning be recognized and valued. Mentors also confirmed that summative assessment is a valid and reliable strategy in WBL practice, enabling them to better monitor and coach students to achieve the expected learning outcomes.

Exploring the factors that contribute towards better student-mentor relationship in work-based learning (WBL) practice

Mentors are called upon to counsel, guide, coach and advise mentees. Mentoring creates a relationship with the purpose of facilitating learners to achieve their learning goals. It allows individuals to look objectively at their performance and future development. Mentoring takes a formal setting in WBL practice which involves an experience for learning and a change in which mentor and mentee utilize a range of core components including honesty, trust and respectful listening to transfer knowledge and skills. Students on WBL practice view mentors as the right professionals with advanced work experience and knowledge from whom they may seek assistance for their professional and personal development. While many students undertaking WBL practice have experienced positive mentoring, there are some that complain about the lack of attention and care provided by their mentors. Most studies investigated the antecedents, outcomes, and benefits of programs with little attention given to identifying and illustrating what is required to ensure the quality of the mentoring process and the effectiveness of the mentoring relationship. This study sought to identify the factors that contribute towards positive mentoring for enhancing the student-mentor relationship. A survey questionnaire was designed for exploring the factors that lead to positive mentoring in WBL practice. The questionnaire was administered to students of the University of Mauritius who undertook WBL practice at the respective placement settings. Mentors providing the necessary coaching at these practice settings were also requested to complete a questionnaire. The findings reveal a list of the main factors which can lead to successful mentoring and enhance the student-mentor relationship. The element of ‘trust’ was found to be the most influential factor in the relationship, followed by ‘empathy’ and ‘openness’. These factors are seen to enhance interactive capability of mentees which contribute much towards improved acquisition of knowledge and skills in the practice.