The Application of Work Based Learning in Materials Technology

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Awarded to: Richard Brown

Institution: Bradford College

Funded in: 2002

Project description: This project will review current theories and approaches in work-based learning (WBL) and trial them in the materials community.

Background: Learning through work offers advantages over traditional teaching and learning approaches but also offers some challenges. Compared to traditional methods, WBL provides opportunities for:

• Demonstrating the usefulness and relevance of learning to the working environment, thereby assisting the learning to become embedded in the learner.
• Linking theory to practise, so that the student is better able to understand the rationale for current procedures, and indeed improve or develop current practise.
• Applying new skills, knowledge and understanding in the workplace to the benefit of employee and employer.
• Demonstrating to the student the continuing and informal nature of the learning experiences in life which underpin continuing professional development.

One of the characteristics of learning through work is that the learning experience of each student is unique, since each learning environment is different. In work-based projects, this is accommodated by defining the scope of the project to fit the skills and expertise available in the workplace. Employer support for the learning is usually obtained by making the project deliverables valuable to the company. However, the work-based project is not designed to teach fundamental principles of materials technology.

If WBL is to be used to teach students the principles in materials technology, the following requires consideration:

1. What opportunities are available for work-based learning? Careful matching needs to be made between the learning opportunities available through work and the curriculum is to be delivered.
2. How should the learning activity be defined so that it meets the needs of the curriculum?
3. What is the most appropriate instrument of assessment? Traditional methods of assessment such as end-tests and examinations are inappropriate given the wide variety of learning being experienced. 'New', valid, reliable methods need to be found that can deal with this situation.
   

Objectives: The objective of the project is to trial the use of work-based learning in the materials technology curriculum to teach specific metallurgical learning outcomes.

Deliverables: The project aims to deliver three case studies that illustrate and offer guidance on the application of WBL in materials technology. There will be one case study for each of the areas of the curriculum trialled. The case studies will be available on both printed and electronic forms and they will contain guidance and information on:

• Negotiation with the students and employers
• The resulting assignment / learning agreement
• Assessment of the learning
• Critical factors for success