Analytic Quality Glossary
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Citation reference: Harvey, L., 2004–9, Analytic Quality Glossary, Quality Research International, http://www.qualityresearchinternational.com/glossary/
This is a dynamic glossary and the author would welcome any e-mail suggestions for amendments or additions.
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Work experience is the linking of a
period of activity in a work setting (whether paid or voluntary) to the
programme of study, irrespective of whether the work experience is an integral
part of the programme of study.
explanatory context
Work experience can take a variety of
forms ranging from traditional placements (internships, co-operative study),
through ‘live’ project work, to part-time employment. Three main categories of
work experience can be identified (Harvey et
al. 1998; Little et al. 2001;
Harvey et al., 2002):
·
organised
work experience as part of a programme
of study;
·
organised
work experience external to a programme
of study;
·
ad hoc
work experience external to a programme
of study.
There is some overlap between categories.
Voluntary work, for example, can sometimes be accredited by institutions, is
sometimes organised as external to the programme of study, or may be ad hoc
work undertaken by students.
There are three main variants of work
experience as part of a programme of study.
First, a conventional programme with some
work experience element attached to it, either as an optional or a compulsory component;
this includes:
·
traditional
placements on sandwich courses;
·
short
periods of work experience on non-sandwich programmes;
·
clinical or practice placements on some professional degrees;
·
‘live’
project working: collaboration between
students and employers;
·
work
shadowing.
The work done may or
may not be directly assessed towards a final award. Sandwich/internship
placements are still taken as the paradigm for work experience, although
relatively few students are enrolled on them. In the
Second, generic work experience modules
that are available
to students on a range of programmes,
these include:
·
year-long
placements unconnected to a specific programme;
·
credit
for part-time, term-time or vacation
work;
·
credit
for voluntary (unpaid) work;
·
programmes
developed by student unions for elected
officers.
Generic modules are often assessed and
count towards the final award. They may also attract separate accreditation.
Third, work experience through a
programme that is wholly, or predominantly, delivered in the workplace setting.
This may include a professional learning, for example continuing professional
development (CPD), graduate apprenticeships or accreditation of prior
experiential learning (APEL).
Organised work experience
external to a programme of study
Students also undertake organised work
experience external to the programme of study. There are a range of such
opportunities including national programmes such as CRAC Insight Plus (2002)
and STEP (2002) in the UK, work experience arranged by the International
Association for Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE as well
as various volunteering activities on a national or international scale.
Increasingly, students obtain work
experience through casual, part-time or vacation work, or for part-time
students, through their own full-time employment or other activities. Recent
surveys show, for example that that about 60 per cent of
analytical review
E-skills UK 2004, define it as:
Work experience is a period of
temporary student employment, within a framework of learning objectives and
assessment, in which the student takes control of the learning experiences.
The National Council for Work Experience
has the same definition, for what it describes as ‘quality work experience’ but
appends the following:
The following items represent a
comprehensive definition of quality work experience:
·
the
student is trained by the higher education institution (HEI) to identify
potential learning outcomes
·
objectives
are set (by HEI, employer and student)
·
supervision
is by a supervisor trained in the objectives and learning outcomes of work
experience - academic supervision and visit/s take place
·
regular
feedback is given
·
an
appraisal is given during the work experience and at the end
·
where
appropriate, a project is undertaken
·
learning
and achievements are articulated by the student in written form
·
an
assessment is made, including an assessment of development of skills (by HEI,
employer and student)
·
recognition,
credit or a certificate is awarded
·
This
ideal will not be possible for all undergraduate work experience, for example
in part time term time bar work. The minimum that could be included within the
title of "quality" will include:
·
objectives
are set (by the student)
·
feedback
is given
·
appraisal
is undertaken at the end of the experience
·
learning
and achievements are articulated by the student in written form
·
an
assessment is made of skills development (by student) with employer endorsement
associated issues
related terms
See
sources
Little, B., Moon, S., Pierce, D.,
Harvey, L., Geall, V. and Moon, S. with
Aston, J., Bowes,
L. and Blackwell, A., 1998, Work Experience: Expanding opportunities for undergraduates. Centre for Research into Quality (CRQ),
E-skills
National Council for Work Experience
(NCWE), 2004, Welcome to the National
Council for Work Experience, What is work experience? http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/What_is_work_experience___students_/p!eaLedi
Harvey, L. and Locke, W. with Morey, A.,
2002, Enhancing employability,
recognising diversity: Making links between higher education and the world of
work.