The use of work-based learning pedagogical perspectives to inform flexible practice within higher education |
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| Authors: | Paula Nottingham |
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| Institution: | Institute for Work Based Learning, Middlesex University, London, UK |
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| Abstract: | The renewed emphasis on developing flexible learning practices in higher education (HE) underscores the importance of understanding pedagogies for students who are based in the workplace or undertake significant work-related elements of study. This paper draws on research that explores how work-based learning (WBL) pedagogy operates in UK HE using three main perspectives that help to conceptualise the existing range of practice: discipline-centred, learner-centred and employer-centred. Data were collected from 20 academic practitioners with expertise in WBL using qualitative interviews, documents and observations at 14 different institutions from 7 regions in England. The research findings suggest that there are both commonalities and distinctive attributes across the range of practice that influence how academics develop and orient their pedagogy. It is argued that the characteristics and discursive features of these WBL perspectives present pedagogical approaches that could be adapted to inform more flexible mainstream provision. |
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| Keywords: | Flexible learning pedagogy work-based learning experiential learning workforce development |
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