Work integrated learning: Co-created learning

WIL placements are becoming a cornerstone of university STEM curricula. WIL provides an opportunity to formally frame theory to practice learning.

Formal Support for Learning and Development

Hosts are asked to support student learning on placement, typically around technical skill development and professional capability building. The real-world lens functions as an integral facet of student’s employability enhancement ^[1].

These real-world learning experiences are enabled because of the mutually beneficial partnerships between the Higher Education Institution (HEI), the industry/community organisation and particularly, the specific working partnership between you and your student ^[2].

HEI placement requirements: assessment policy and principles

The following section follows a prescriptive approach to the hosting experience, as it relates to curriculum governance of quality placement supervision, and in some instances, the inputs of evidence of learning and development during the placement for assessment purposes ^[3].

Student supervision and assessment

All Higher Education Institutions (HEI’s) will have a placement policy ^[4] formalising the agreement between the HEI and the host partner organisation ^[5]. The crux of placement policies and related procedures is geared to assuring that there are clear responsibilities and processes for enabling hosts and universities to co-create effective and integrated learning experiences. The co-creation of placement expectations is based on the following key principles:

• HEI’s set in principle expectations pertaining to student conduct and requirements for the student to adhere to relevant professional standards whilst on placement;
• HEI’s are accountable for the oversight and guidance of the formal learning components by appropriate university staff to manage and deliver the academic experience of placement;
• HEI’s are responsible for the design and delivery of reasonable assessment (including, but not limited to, workplace learning and performance review) to ensure students are achieving their unit, course and graduate learning outcomes.
• Host partner organisations take responsibility for effective workplace supervision of students during the placement experience.

The policy and procedures presented in this guide speak to the pivotal role you play in collaborating in this real-world learning.  As such, the guide is structured according to the typical assessments deployed by the HEI to support the development and demonstration of student learning during placement, with allowances for your organisational needs.