Postgraduate work-based learning: a qualitative study
Higher Education, Skills and Work-Based Learning
ISSN: 2042-3896
Article publication date: 22 March 2019
Issue publication date: 20 September 2019
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the experiences of students and teachers who had participated in a postgraduate work-based praxis course within a Master of mental health practice qualification.
Design/methodology/approach
This qualitative study used an interpretative phenomenological approach to understand the lived experience of students and course convenors participating in a work-based praxis course. Seven students and two convenors were recruited. Interview and reflective portfolio data were analysed thematically.
Findings
The main themes identified were the importance of planning, the value of partnerships, the significance of learning in the workplace and how the facilitation of work-based learning differs from coursework.
Originality/value
Work-based learning within postgraduate coursework qualifications can support higher-level learning, knowledge and skills has received limited attention in the literature. This study supported the value of providing postgraduate students with work-based learning opportunities, resulting in the application of new or advanced skills, within their existing work roles. This study is important, because it provides insights into the student experience of postgraduate work-based learning and the impact of this learning on professional practice.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors declare that they have no competing interests. Ethics approval was obtained from the Griffith University Human Research Ethics Committee (HSV/02/13/HREC). Partial funding for this study was provided from a Griffith University Learning and Teaching grant. The authors would like to thank the study participants for their stories and reflections which formed the basis of this study.
Citation
Stewart, V., Campbell, M., McMillan, S.S. and Wheeler, A.J. (2019), "Postgraduate work-based learning: a qualitative study", Higher Education, Skills and Work-Based Learning, Vol. 9 No. 4, pp. 637-649. https://doi.org/10.1108/HESWBL-08-2018-0081
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited