Exploring workbased learning through opposites

1
Binary discourse

• Exploring work-based learning through opposites

2
Binary discourse

• The notion that discourse on work-based learning
  can be structured as binaries opposites,
• Opposites can be explored,
• Processes that integrate the oppositions can be
  identified. Barriers recognized.
• WBL as whole system.

3
The Regulation of Care Award (Scotland)
Peer support Management support Feedback into
organisation/CPD
Learning sets
Work resources Workload relief
Assessment
ROCA outcomes
IT training Study skills
Learner
VLE and discussions ODL Materials
Work based experience Practice Learning
Activities Self assessment Tutor PLA feedback
4
Binary 1

• Individual
• Assessment
• Individual experience

• Community
• Collaborative
• Community experience

Integrated Learning context/experience Patchwork
Peer review Exemplars, VLE discussion, learning
sets
5
Binary 2

• Practice
• Specific
• Intuitive
• Random
• emotional

• Theory
• Generalised
• Rational
• Linear
• objective

Integrated learning processes? Theory integrated
into practice learning Theory derived from
practice analysis
6
Binary 3

• Consolidation (of knowledge)
• certain
• validation
• uniformity
• institutionalised

• Change
• Uncertain
• innovative
• Problematised
• Experimental

7
Binary 3 - response

• Integrating change (see system)
• Feedback loops practice learning to operations,
  
• Operations to programme,
• individual to individual,
• individual to operations (self-assessment and
  programme integration with operations)

8
The Institutional binary

• The Corporation
• Market driven
• Management culture
• Learning
• Knowledge management
• Performance review
• Risk averse
• Skills orientation

• The University
• Hierarchy driven
• Scholarly culture
• Learning
• Knowledge as product
• Peer review
• Evidence based
• Argumentation driven
• Rational

9
Experience of binaries

• Individual
• As tutors
• As students
• As employer

• Group
• Sharing
• Describing
• How has the binary been negotiated?

10
Student experience
The fine marking did not reflect the content of
the folders. the folders are the evidence that
the theory can be put into practice yet the
marking was based on an academic piece of work
and did not take account of the folders. As far
as I have seen a folder could be returned several
times and only just be of "met" quality but if
you could produce an academic piece of work you
received a higher grade (ROCA student)
11
conclusions

• Binaries are part of system
• Promotes appreciation of different cultures and
  different impacts on actors?
• Where does the student fit? - often best
  benchmark.
• To what extent do we value/undersell what
  Universities offer?