Supervising Workplacement Learning at Work

Goals How learning has changed in the last few years. Learning at work through a three way partnership. Collecting a portfolio of evidence at work What effect does this have on supervising workplacement How employers can help learning take place

Consider your own education/ training:  How has the teacher changed?  How has the student changed? How has learning changed

Why changing? Life is faster Concentration is different There is a lot of informal learning Our students will have more employers than their parents did Information is very easy to gain The teacher is not the only authority in knowledge anymore

Traditional Teaching The classical classroom learning The teacher knows all Learning is focussing on knowledge Skills and experience come from working after leaving the school The teacher decides what is to be learnt

Learning in the workplace The teacher is the facilitator and assessor of learning Learning is focussed on acquiring competency in operations at the workplace, theory is offered to support and deepen skills and confidence Teacher, learner and work provider negotiate a learning plan that meets the needs of the learner

Advantages of work place Experience the reality of working Apply knowledge and skills Allows repetition and consolidation of skills Step towards employment

Expectations Exercise In groups, place yourself in the role of an employer, learner or training provider. What are your expectations of the other parties involved?

A Learning Agreement

I will: Act in a responsible and professional manner Carry out the responsibilities and comply with company regulations Liaise with my employer and trainer regarding my learning goals

A Learning Agreement We will: Provide safe working conditions and systems. Provide opportunites for skill development and practice Liaise with the learner/ trainer regarding the learning goals Give feedback to learner and trainer.

A Learning Agreement We will: Ensure the placement meets the needs of the learner and employer Monitor opportunites for skill development and practice Liaise with the learner/ employer regarding the learning goals Monitor feedback to learner and trainer.

Portfolio of Evidence As a method of gathering evidence of work experience or practice. Evidence can be used as assessment material against qualification criteria and standards. A Portfolio that can be accredited with similar recognition as other formal qualifications. A Portfolio that can be used as a learning tool to develop skills and knowledge through “learning by doing”

Portfolio of Evidence Evidence could include: Observation Records Witness Testimonies Professional Discussions Artefacts (photos/video/products) Case Histories and Studies Projects/ Assignments

How can you help? Show Interest in learner Sign diaries/ work records Provide information/ data for projects Discuss, give comments on project work Provide constructive feedback on performance Encourage learner to reflect on performance Make valued judgements against standards Assess learner’s competency

Importance of Communication

Communication  Set aside regular times for formal meetings  If possible, go away from the work area for open and frank discussion  Encourage student to express how they feel about their learning  Encourage student to reflect on how they could perform better  Agree future action plan with clear targets

Skills required by the Supervisor Discussion What are the key skills that you will require to support a learner in the workplace?

Questioning technique Consider the following questions, how could you improve on them?  Let me tell you how you could improve your work.  That’s not the way I told you how to do it?  Do you really think my customers would be happy with that?  You must try and remember what I have told you before.

Setting targets "I keep six honest serving men, (They taught me all I knew); their names are What and Why and When, and How and Where and Who." Rudyard Kipling

Summary Learning at work requires a structured agreement between learner/ employer and training provider A portfolio of evidence is a useful way of gathering evidence of work experience and practice The employer can help the learner to achieve their learning goals

Evaluation What has been useful about this session What did you dislike about the session What was interesting What will you do as a consequence of this session. Thank you