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1 – 10 of 793Stan Lester and Mandy Crawford–Lee
This paper examines how the Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated digital developments in apprenticeship and work-based learning in higher education (HE), focusing on practices that…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper examines how the Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated digital developments in apprenticeship and work-based learning in higher education (HE), focusing on practices that have ongoing value.
Design/methodology/approach
A literature review was carried out on the theme of HE work-based and work-integrated learning during the pandemic, followed by minimally-structured interviews with UK university staff responsible for apprenticeship and other work-based programmes.
Findings
The pandemic has accelerated adoption of online and digital methods to support work-based and apprenticeship learning. There has been progress from emergency measures to more pedagogically consistent ones. A blended approach is becoming common, with the learning and logistical benefits from digital methods ensuring their continuing use. Progress is uneven and there is still a need for improved digital pedagogy and better integration of theoretical and practical learning.
Practical implications
More attention is needed to digital pedagogy and to effective use of online methods to support work-based learning with corresponding implications for staff development. There are institutional implications in terms of ensuring that systems and structures support what is, particularly for work-based learners, likely to be a permanent move towards digital, blended and online learning.
Originality/value
There has been limited research on the impact of the pandemic on work-based learning, with most of the literature focusing on placements and projects. This paper presents findings at a point when universities are considering how technologically-supported methods will be employed on a more permanent basis.
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Christopher J. M. Smith, Constantinos Choromides, Victoria Boyd, Linda Proudfoot, Marty Wright and Fiona Stewart-Knight
Impactful pedagogies in Higher Education are required to meet the challenges of the twenty-first century. This chapter outlines an inclusive, flexible, and work-based learning…
Abstract
Impactful pedagogies in Higher Education are required to meet the challenges of the twenty-first century. This chapter outlines an inclusive, flexible, and work-based learning curriculum design framework to respond to these needs. Two cases from Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) are used to illustrate this framework in a transnational educational context in Sub-Saharan Africa. Case one explores the impact of a Railway Operations Management program in South Africa, where the views of two cohorts of 137 recent graduates were gathered through an online questionnaire. Case two examines the views of Optometry/Orthoptics students who undertook an intensive two-week clinical work experience on the train-based clinic (Phelophepa train) in South Africa; data was gathered through an online questionnaire from 58 participating students since 2014. Both examples highlight transformative personal experiences and impacts of their education beyond just their studies – to a clearer sense of personal and professional pride, to becoming role models for their families and to developing meta-cognitive skills to support lifelong learning. In the Railway Operations Management example, additional benefits were seen to their organization – through improved interpersonal skills, decision-making, and problem-solving and creating knowledge-sharing – whereas in the Optometry/Orthoptics case life-changing impacts to patients were delivered through this work experience.
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The purpose of this paper is to examine the recent economic boom in Tennessee and the role of work-based learning WBL opportunities in contributing to this growth. The paper will…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the recent economic boom in Tennessee and the role of work-based learning WBL opportunities in contributing to this growth. The paper will analyze data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to provide an overview of the changes in the labor force and employment in the state over the past ten years. Additionally, the paper will delve into the various WBL programs offered in Tennessee, such as K-12 Career and Technical Education (CTE), Tennessee Chamber Work-based Learning, and more, that are designed to provide individuals of all ages and stages with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the workforce. The paper will also discuss how the growth in WBL opportunities has led to an increasing need for new hires and how it could lead to the development of new industry in Tennessee. The paper aims to provide a detailed examination of the economic boom in Tennessee, and the impact of WBL opportunities on the development of local workforce and industry.
Design/methodology/approach
The design of this paper is to analyze the recent economic boom in Tennessee and the role of work-based learning WBL opportunities in contributing to this growth. The methodology used in this paper is primarily a review of data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to provide an overview of the changes in the labor force and employment in the state over the past ten years. Additionally, the paper will review the various WBL programs offered in Tennessee and their standards, to understand how they are designed to provide individuals of all ages and stages with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the workforce. The approach taken in this paper is an analytical one, where the data is analyzed to understand the trends and patterns in the labor market and the impact of WBL opportunities on the workforce. The paper also includes insights from relevant research studies and experts in the field to provide a comprehensive understanding of the subject.
Findings
The findings of this paper indicate that there has been a significant economic boom in Tennessee over the past decade, as evidenced by data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data shows a consistent increase in the labor force and employment in the state, with a corresponding decrease in the unemployment rate. The paper also found that the growth in work-based learning WBL opportunities in Tennessee has played a significant role in contributing to this economic boom. The paper reviewed various WBL programs offered in Tennessee and found that they are designed to provide individuals of all ages and stages with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the workforce.
Originality/value
This paper brings an original perspective on the recent economic boom in Tennessee and the role of work-based learning WBL opportunities in contributing to this growth. By analyzing data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the paper provides an overview of the changes in the labor force and employment in the state over the past ten years, which has not been thoroughly examined in previous studies. Additionally, the paper delves into the various WBL programs offered in Tennessee, and how they are designed to provide individuals of all ages and stages with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the workforce, which is an original aspect of this paper. The paper also presents the original finding that the growth in WBL opportunities has led to an increasing need for new hires and could lead to the development of new industry in Tennessee. This paper provides an original and comprehensive examination of the economic boom in Tennessee and the impact of WBL opportunities on the development of local workforce and industry.
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Introduction: Work-based learning (WBL) bridges the gap between academic theory and exposure to real-life situations where students’ knowledge is filtered and applied to relevant…
Abstract
Introduction: Work-based learning (WBL) bridges the gap between academic theory and exposure to real-life situations where students’ knowledge is filtered and applied to relevant workplace environments.
Purpose: This study aims to examine students’ and employers’ voices on their perspectives of WBL. It focuses on students reading for an undergraduate degree in Bachelor’s in Commerce in two majors, with a specialisation in Public Policy at the University of Malta.
Methodology: Questionnaires were sent to students to obtain their views on the experience and benefits of WBL. This was followed by structured interviews conducted with employers and undergraduate students to provide an overview of their respective work-based experiences. WBL providers were asked to draw up reports on the students’ performance. The feedback which emerged from the structured interviews on the nature of these experiences was analysed. These tools helped to calibrate and refine the nature of these practices.
Findings: The study’s findings show that WBL experiences help students increase technical knowledge, improve their soft skills, and learn new tools, sought after by employers. Feedback emanating from employers’ perspectives serves to temper the University course curriculum to ensure that it is relevant to the requirements of modern-day society.
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This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies.
Design/methodology/approach
This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.
Findings
By acquiring and growing knowledge, proactively using skills, and improving digital skills via project-based learning, students will be well-prepared for their future careers.
Originality/value
The briefing saves busy executives, strategists and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.
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Maryam Husain Almahdi, Ghadah Al Murshidi and Osama Al-Mahdi
This paper investigates the social online learning experiences of teacher trainees during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study's model gauges the relationships between social…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper investigates the social online learning experiences of teacher trainees during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study's model gauges the relationships between social presence, sense of community, and collaborative learning in online work-based learning environments.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses a cross-sectional design, specifically an online questionnaire, to collect data from teacher-trainees in different years of their university programs.
Findings
The findings indicate significant and positive relationships between social presence and both sense of community and collaborative learning, and between collaborative learning and sense of community in a work-based online learning environment. Moreover, collaborative learning was found to mediate the relationship between social presence and sense of community in the study's model.
Research limitations/implications
The use of questionnaires to collect self-reported data from a mostly female undergraduate sample is expected to affect the generalizability of the results. Experiments or observation methods and a wider sample of participants can be used in future research to build on the findings of this study.
Practical implications
The authors recommend that educators play an active role in improving the students' online social learning experiences, especially their social presence and collaborative learning. By using different interactive methods (e.g. encouraging students to ask questions, express emotions, share resources, and reflect on their learning in a group), educators can help students achieve a sense of community and, hence, realize the many beneficial outcomes tied to community creation in online learning environments.
Originality/value
The study contributes to knowledge by highlighting students' social experiences while learning online, a usually overlooked area of study. These insights are especially important in a time when online learning has become a necessity rather than a choice and when students are in dire need of social support and community. Researching the online social learning experiences of teacher-trainees lends additional value to the study, as it is necessary for future teachers to experience and master this type of learning during their pre-service training so they can apply it with higher levels of confidence and efficacy in their future classrooms.
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Zsolt Ábrahám, Dániel Szőgyényi, Bálint Eckert and Szilárd Németh
The paper aims to clarify the relationship between problem-solving skills and socialization of first-year university students and propose talent management strategies for…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper aims to clarify the relationship between problem-solving skills and socialization of first-year university students and propose talent management strategies for university management, course instructors and administrators. Thus, this paper identifies three student clusters among the first-year bachelor students. This paper aims to propose a talent management framework and makes recommendations for course instructors and administrators.
Design/methodology/approach
In this paper, a Simulated Work Experience is applied to collect data on problem-solving skills and demographics of first-year business students. Based on the anonymous competency and demographic data of 546 students, 3 clusters were identified with a hierarchical K-means clustering method and linked with talent management and curriculum design strategies.
Findings
The paper provides empirical insights about how the demographic background of the first-year students affects the students' problem-solving skills. This paper identifies three clusters – laggers, unpolished diamonds and drivers – and proposes a talent management framework to support the students' personal and professional development. The proposed talent management framework is based on the direction of upskilling and type of talent management incentives and outlines four distinct categories: extracurricular reward, tutoring and catching up, perform-or-punish and up-or-out systems. This paper makes suggestions to course administrators and instructors how to incorporate talent management and competency mapping aspects into the curriculum and syllabus design activities.
Research limitations/implications
The research is limited to problem-solving skills and focused only on first-year business students.
Practical implications
The paper includes practical implications for business school management, course administrators and instructors about competency mapping, talent management strategies, curriculum and syllabus design.
Originality/value
The research is based on the competency mapping of 546 first-year students at Budapest Business School. The data were collected via a Simulated Work Experience, where the students were participating in a virtual business project.
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Hanan Alsharah and Hasan Ghura
This study aims to review the literature on online based learning in business education published in Development and Learning in Organizations between 2019 and 2022. The results…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to review the literature on online based learning in business education published in Development and Learning in Organizations between 2019 and 2022. The results of this study can present a better understanding of work-based business learning and offers new insights for future studies.
Design/methodology/approach
Recently the COVID-19 crisis has accelerated online learning. The pandemic’s pace and scale have led many universities and business schools to adopt popular e-learning tools such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom, or other online platforms. As a result, faculty and students needed new skills and resources in business education. Hence, the design and execution of online content were under scrutiny (Singh, 2022). After several months (almost two years) of operating in a highly virtual state during the COVID-19 crisis, there is little understanding of online learning in business education. In addition, asking about online teaching quality and student satisfaction is vital, as unsolved concerns may have long-term implications for future business programs (Szopiński and Bachnik, 2022). Therefore, this study aims to critically discuss the current literature to investigate the effects of online learning in business education during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results could present a better understanding of business learning and offers new insights for future research.
Findings
The results from reviewing the selected articles showed several methodologies adopted in the field of business education. In this regard, universities must adopt an attendance policy for students with unreasonable excuses and those who cannot attend for technical issues. In this regard, facial recognition technologies and in-class tests that require attendance could assist. In addition, to encourage participation, business schools should build algorithms to measure student engagement and link it to the grading system. Finally, universities and business schools should have continuous assessment measures to ensure quality online learning matches higher education institutions in a specific country (Szopiński and Bachnik, 2022).
Originality/value
Along with the benefits of online learning, business schools must be aware of the risks of extending their online courses. First, digital platforms must be introduced to support all online teaching and learning courses and allow information sharing. This demands institutional reforms and resources, which may be unavailable if a university lacks facilities, administrative support, or a training coordination program. The second challenge is the faculty’s attitude toward online learning and the IT support needed to provide an online environment. While distance learning must offer the same knowledge and skills as traditional learning, faculty should embrace technology as a teaching instrument. Therefore, perceived usefulness is a significant determinant of faculty approval of online education. A post-2020 pandemic study is needed to assess faculty opinions in future studies (Szopiński and Bachnik, 2022).
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This paper outlines a contemporary conceptual framework for the embedding of experiential learning into a business consultancy module. Experiential learning is a fundamental…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper outlines a contemporary conceptual framework for the embedding of experiential learning into a business consultancy module. Experiential learning is a fundamental teaching approach that allows students to apply theory into a working business context.
Design/methodology/approach
As a conceptual and not an empirical paper, the methodological approach was to draw upon the literature reviewed and to build a framework to support student learning through a business consultancy module.
Findings
Exploration of the literature suggests that there are four elements critical to student learning in experiential learning environments: action, reflection, social and context. A framework has been developed utilising these elements with the interaction between the factors being key to developing learning.
Research limitations/implications
So far, the framework is conceptual, and further research is needed to explore its use when staff members are developing these types of modules and to understand the interaction of the factors over the course of the student learning experience.
Originality/value
The originality comes from the intersection and interaction between the core factors in experiential learning, which enables this framework to move thinking beyond more static models and hence work in a more fluid student learning environment.
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