Model Of Best Practice for Work-based Learning

A model of best practice for structuring work-based learning has been developed to guide the teaching and learning of students in the practice. This model of best practice can be adapted to all practica settings.

It consists of a preparation stage involving thorough preparation of students to learn from experience in the workplace and preparation of the workplace organisation (supervisors) to have students.

This is followed by the placement stage where students are in the workplace and finally a post-placement stage where debriefing of students and review and evaluation with the organization takes place. Throughout all three stages, management issues are of great importance, as it involves organisational and legal agreements, staff development, overall management of all stakeholders and such things as intellectual property agreements.

	Teaching and Learning	Management
Preparation Stage	Preparation of students For learning to learn from experience For learning from observation In specific work-based skills For clinical reasoning and problem solving For collaborative peer learning For legal and statutory responsibilities For personal well being and safety For safe workplace practices For work place literacy For cultural awareness and sensitivity For orientation to the profession and industry Preparation of the learning environment Orientation of the organisation to have students Induction of supervisors for supporting, teaching and assessing students.	Establish organisational and legal agreements University/agency agreements Intellectual property agreements Placement breakdown Establish communication and reporting systems Staff development and induction for University-based supervisors
Placement Stage	Teaching strategies that integrate students learning and facilitate transfer of learning between theory and practice Arrangements to enable all students to be successful Provide innovative, authentic learning experiences Formative assessment processes Accurate and representative summative assessment Ensuring attention to inclusiveness and equal opportunity	Manuals for students and agencies Regular systems for monitoring the success of the placement Newsletters and web sites Adequate risk management and reporting
Post Placement	Debriefing with students	Acknowledgement of agencies contributions Review and troubleshooting with placements organisations Review within the university (Faculty and AOU level)