Conference presentation
The World as a Classroom. The globalisation of work-integrated learning
USC Research Week, 2015 (Sunshine Coast, Australia, 13-Jul-2015–16-Jul-2015)
University of the Sunshine Coast
2015
Abstract
In a world characterised by rapid change, universities are under increasing pressure from employers to equip their graduates with real-world skills and capabilities to meet the challenges of professional practice. Hence, learning and teaching strategies are evolving as one contemporary view of education is to prepare students for effective participation in employment today and into the future. Within the School of Communication and Creative Industries at the University of the Sunshine Coast the focus is on students learning by engaging with the physical context in which professional practice occurs to help equip them with the skills, attributes and competencies that can best be learned in the workplace. This is achieved through learning and teaching philosophies that see the integration of professional knowledge and pedagogical approach to create systemic change within the communications and advertising fields and specifically, the application of work-integrated learning, situated and practice-based learning that assimilates notions of 'the world as a classroom' into largely theory-based curricula. This paper, based on a 2015 OLT Award for Teaching Excellence, explores innovations and contributions that leverage notions of WIL over a sustained 14 years of activity. These include the establishment of on-campus student communications agencies that replicate real-world learning environments, international industry study tours and internships that embed students in global professional practice, as well as the creation of a national marketing communications competition, a platform upon which students from universities Australia-wide can showcase their learning. This commitment to innovation in student learning has been recognised by both the industry and academia as global best practice, resulting in graduates who are highly sought-after by employers.
Details
- Title
- The World as a Classroom. The globalisation of work-integrated learning
- Authors
- Rod McCulloch (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Arts and Business
- Conference details
- USC Research Week, 2015 (Sunshine Coast, Australia, 13-Jul-2015–16-Jul-2015)
- Publisher
- University of the Sunshine Coast
- Date published
- 2015
- Copyright note
- Copyright © The Author.
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Creative Industries - Legacy
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99449200602621
- Output Type
- Conference presentation
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