Advancing Learning 2018

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) is a core element of post-secondary education and a key means by which applied and experiential learning is infused into curricula.  Throughout WIL experiences, students actively integrate theory and practice, skill development, networking, and career exploration, and those that participate in WIL have a documented advantage when transitioning into employment. WIL also benefits academic institutions, employers, and the broader community by increasing the availability of temporary employees, improving the dissemination of new ideas and innovations, and fostering connections between schools and local businesses and organizations.  As WIL increasingly becomes a centrepiece of post-secondary programs, ensuring student readiness for such experiences is crucial.  In order to optimize learning and reap the full benefit of WIL, students must be adequately prepared for these experiences.  

In this session, members from a multi-institutional team will discuss their development of a comprehensive set of 31 open access, learner-centred modules to support WIL preparedness among post-secondary students. Developed through a collaboration by four Ontario colleges, these modules have the potential to significantly enhance the flexible delivery and accessibility of WIL support for students of all levels.  By focusing on activities and assessments that are grounded in fundamental employment skills and preparedness frameworks but that can be adapted into program-specific iterations, these modules remain relevant even when applied to different contexts.  Participants will have the opportunity to discuss the motivation and development of these OERs and will review key criteria that influenced the overarching organization, sequencing, and design of the project.  A preview of the modules will be made available to all participants, who will be able to ask questions of the developers and brainstorm possible use cases. Participants are encouraged to bring a laptop or mobile device to this session.