Upcoming Forums
Evaluation and Research in Work-Integrated-Learning
Date: Tuesday 10th August, 2010
Venue: Room 3.33 Building EB Parramatta Campus, University of Western Sydney
Parking will be provided for participants at the Parramatta Campus, at no additional cost; for more information about location and public transport options go to: http://www.uws.edu.au/campuses_structure/cas/campuses/parramatta.
Time: 10.00am - 4.00pm
Prior to the forum a business meeting of the NSW/ACT Chapter will be held, commencing at 9.00am. All attendees are welcome to attend this meeting.
Cost: Members - $50 Non-members - $100
Cost includes morning and afternoon tea and lunch.
Program:
Click HERE for the program of the day
Presentations:
Setting the scene: What are the current areas of opportunity for WIL research?
Professor Stephen Crump, Pro Vice Chancellor, University of Newcastle
Abstract
This session will set the scene for the program by identifying where research on WIL is at in the Australian context, with reference to international developments. In doing so, the presentation will adopt a broad definition of WIL / Co-op and invite discussion over what the key issues are that need researching over the next 5 years. The role and position of theory in shaping understandings of the issues, and how best to construct research around them, is crucial in taking our filed of work to a higher level of recognition and impact through publication and policy enactments. Given the broad spectrum of activities that occur under WIL / Co-op, different topics will need to be framed within different paradigms, with psychology, sociology, comparative and organisational studies all having something to say about WIL. However, multi/cross methodology, multi/cross discipline. multi/cross institutional and even multi/cross-national projects promise deep and penetrating analyses that should address current questions and concerns. The session will encourage participation through interaction with the presenter and through short group discussions as a precursor to subsequent sessions on ethics, evaluation and publishing.
Research and Ethics
Professor Elizabeth Deane, Pro Vice Chancellor (Students), Australian National University
Abstract
In the University Sector interest and engagement in Work Integrated Learning (WIL) has risen exponentially over the last 10 years. Lagging somewhat behind has been high quality research into practice and into the effectiveness of WIL in enhancing student learning and employability. It will be argued that such quality research requires, amongst other components of good project design, a central engagement with ethical considerations and approval processes. This argument will also be extended to the role of ethics in WIL itself and the valuable lessons for students in embedding such concepts in their operational paradigm.
Publishing WIL Research and Practice
Professor Joy Higgs, Director Education for Practice Institute, Charles Sturt University
Abstract
This presentation will be in two components. The talk will consider the challenges faced by staff involved in WIL in relation to publishing about your WIL practice and research. It will address making choices about topics, publication/journal, audience, style and purpose and having an impact. A key question is when and how to publish research in comparison to practice.
The workshop will involve participants considering three key questions: What is there about my WIL practice that I think I would like to publish? (Bring three ideas to the workshops.) How can I transform this practice into a publication? (Bring along a "guide for contributors" from a WIL-related journal that you like to read yourself.) What are the skills and partnerships I need to make the publication a success?
Data and Research: An exploration of Leximancer as a support tool for WIL research
Professor Louise Young, Professor of Marketing, University of Western Sydney
Abstract
The time and expertise available for effective research is almost always limited. Research addressing WIL and other important social issues needs to address complex issues that are not always able to be explored via time-efficient methods such as on-line surveys and instead require more in-depth qualitative methods. However comprehensive analysis of such data and associated secondary materials that might be available to augment and clarify qualitative interviews requires expertise and time beyond the scope of many researchers. Leximaner provides an effective device for both rapid and in-depth consideration of a range of data types and for validation of qualitative analyses of a more traditional type. The program uses machine learning and automated coding to provide reliability and speed. This presentation will demonstrate the way the program works and different ways of using Leximancer, illustrating these via a several pieces of social research undertaken by Professor Louise Young and her collaborators.
Establishing WIL Research Collaborations
Dr Theresa Winchester-Seeto, Lecturer in Higher Education Development, Macquarie University
Abstract
It is acknowledged that within a particular institution the role and position of the WIL practitioner and research can be quite isolated, therefore making it difficult to find support and time for larger projects. Furthermore a significant amount of current research in WIL tends to be single case study based approaches lacking the weight of argument afforded to cross institutional and larger studies. This session will facilitate the development of research networks to enhance research in WIL. Participants will be able to develop collaborative networks with others through the sharing of current research problems and approaches with the aim to begin the process of cross-institutional projects and/or supportive networks of like-minded researchers.
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