Abstract:
Practicum experiences for Human Movement Studies students have increasingly been aimed at providing a contextualised experience set to enable the practice and development of a range of generic and applied discipline specific skills. Clearly, if the workplace is an appropriate environment for authentic and appropriate activities and these activities are clearly defined and realistically aligned to the opportunities available then the expected learning outcomes will be achieved.
In order to facilitate this alignment of workplace environments and learning goals with workplace opportunities we have established a set of technological support mechanisms designed to assist students to prepare and then undertake their practicum through the use of ongoing dialogue and communication opportunities. The promotion of discussion over the internet and access to relevant information resources is targeted to enable students to clarify goals, select appropriate prac sites and identify activities that they perceive as value adding for their professional life.
This paper will describe the evaluation strategy (adapted from the TLT group’s "Flashlight" model), the data that were used to provide insight into the challenges faced by students in work-based learning programmes and the teaching and learning strategies (on and off line) identified as key to meeting these challenges.
In order to facilitate this alignment of workplace environments and learning goals with workplace opportunities we have established a set of technological support mechanisms designed to assist students to prepare and then undertake their practicum through the use of ongoing dialogue and communication opportunities. The promotion of discussion over the internet and access to relevant information resources is targeted to enable students to clarify goals, select appropriate prac sites and identify activities that they perceive as value adding for their professional life.
This paper will describe the evaluation strategy (adapted from the TLT group’s "Flashlight" model), the data that were used to provide insight into the challenges faced by students in work-based learning programmes and the teaching and learning strategies (on and off line) identified as key to meeting these challenges.