Handbook

This subject offers an introduction to the theories and practice of workplace learning. It acknowledges the central role of workplaces in shaping student learning and professional identity. It illuminates the pivotal contribution of workplaces to nurturing students' development of professional practice capabilities. In this subject workplaces as physical and cultural learning environments, and role expectations of students as pre-accredited and often peripheral members of communities of practice are explored. This subject scrutinises the roles of students, workplace learning supervisors and university staff and privileges a model of reciprocity and collaboration in workplace learning. Workplace learning pedagogies, underpinned by situated and workplace learning theories are explored. These theories move the pedagogical focus away from acts of teaching in order to privilege student engagement with and participation in authentic workplace activities and relationships. Students will be assisted to reflect on and critique their current workplace learning practices with a view to enhancing those practices and improving student outcomes. As an example, the ways in which technology can be used to enhance workplace learning experiences are explored. This subject focuses on learning in workplace contexts and does not explicitly cover learning in academic contexts. This subject would be of interest to anyone involved in workplace learning including practitioners who supervise students in workplaces and academics who support students and supervisors before, during and after workplace learning placements.