The Impact of Work Integrated Learning Towards Students Learning: Case of ICT Students in South African Universities of Technology

Author(s):  
Bethel Mutanga Murimo
2022 ◽  
pp. 255-276
Author(s):  
Vuyo Mthethwa

Since 1997, the ordinary students at South African universities have depended on the SRC to be at the forefront of student advocacy in relation to resources to support their academic experiences. The onset of the lockdown on the eve of 26th March 2020 had an unprecedented effect on student life, with a change of student governance from cohesion to isolation. Adopting a snowball sampling methodology, 15 students registered at various South African universities were interviewed via WhatsApp about the support they received from their SRC during the COVID-19 lockdown. The impact of the lockdown on student governance is examined through the lens of ordinary students. Findings suggest that the surge to technology-based modes of interaction and self-regulated learning had a resultant effect of a highly compromised academic experience, even though some were able to adapt to online learning. Adjusted approaches to student governance are inevitable as the coronavirus continues to manifest.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah Agnew ◽  
Elizabeth Abery ◽  
Sam Schulz ◽  
Shane Pill

PurposeInternational work integrated learning (iWIL) placements for university students are widely promoted within universities. However, they cannot be offered and sustained without a great deal of time and effort; most commonly the responsibility of an assigned university facilitator. Preparation and support are essential for a positive student experience and iWIL outcome. However, not all experiences and outcomes are positive, or predictable.Design/methodology/approachPersonal vignettes of university iWIL facilitators are used to create a collaborative autoethnography (CAE) of experiences and outcomes where placements have been affected by unexpected or unprecedented “critical incidents” and the impact incurred on these academics. The vignettes are analyzed according to the Pitard (2016) six-step structural analysis model.FindingsAnalysis of the vignettes identifies a resulting workload cost, emotional labor and effect on staff wellbeing. Due to the responsibility and expectations of the position, these incidents placed the university iWIL facilitator in a position of vulnerability, stress, added workload and emotional labor that cannot be compared to other academic teaching roles.Practical implicationsIt is intended through the use of “real life” stories presented in the vignettes, to elicit consideration and recognition of the role of the iWIL facilitator when dealing with “the negatives” and “bring to light” management and support strategies needed.Originality/valueResearch is scant on iWIL supervisor experience and management of “critical incidents”, therefore this paper adds to the literature in an area previously overlooked.


2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 768-774
Author(s):  
Rachel McDonald ◽  
Adam Bobrowski ◽  
Leah Drost ◽  
Leigha Rowbottom ◽  
Judene Pretti ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Frank Bisaba Kalala

This research case study investigates the efficacy of a Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) pedagogy that simulates a professional design studio in a graphic design programme at a South African tertiary institution. The overall aim is to develop a model for future pedagogical development of the WIL approach under study. The researcher is one of a team of third-year level WIL teachers, so the study is positioned as educational practitioner research. The review of literature establishes three learning theory links with the WIL pedagogical approach under study. These are: a) learning integration, b) learning transformation, and c) learning transfer. Integrative and transformative learning in WIL study needs to be transferred to graphic design graduates’ design agency working roles as integrative and transformative capability, if WIL pedagogy is to be considered effective. The effective transfer of student learning to the workplace is also considered to be affected the fact that some aspects of pedagogical practice are implicit rather than explicit. Fourteen graphic design graduates currently employed in graphic design agencies were each interviewed twice regarding their working experience. The first round of initial unstructured interviews found that integrative and transformative capability in design agencies was connected with problematic issues of design agency professional capability: collaboration with colleagues, client relations and time management. The second round of semi-structured interviews established these themes as both confirming and disconfirming WIL learning transfer. Upon reflection on the account of WIL pedagogy given in the literature review, design agency collaboration, client relations and time management are implicitly connected to the integrative and transformative intentions of WIL pedagogy. This may compromise learning transfer. An analytical model of these pedagogical concerns was then constructed, to allow for development of the WIL pedagogical approach. Recommendations for such development are offered, and indications made for future research.


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