work-based learning in politics and international studies: from theory to practice - sophia price
DESCRIPTION
Presentation at HEA-funded workshop 'Work-based learning in Politics and International Studies: from theory to practice'. The workshop brought together key stakeholders in the delivery of work-based learning and employability skills in the Politics and International Relations (IR) disciplines including academics, employers and careers advisors. Through presentations and discussion delegates had the opportunity to share best practice on existing work-based learning schemes and developing employability skills. This presentation is part of a related blog post that provides an overview of the event: http://bit.ly/1x0KPae For further details of the HEA's work on Employability and Global Citizenship in the Social Sciences see: http://bit.ly/17n8KnjTRANSCRIPT
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Work-‐based learning in Poli1cs & Interna1onal Studies: from theory to
prac1ce
Dr Sophia Price Principal Lecturer, Poli<cs and Applied Global Ethics
Leeds Metropolitan University
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Work – Based Learning “There is strong evidence to indicate that authen<c work experience contextualises learning, has a strong influence on graduate employment and should be integrated into course curricula wherever possible. In order to maximise learning for employability and the academic subject it is important that this should be a pedagogically supported experience, which includes reflec<on and ar<cula<on of the learning achieved.”(Pegg et al. 2012)
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Work based learning in PAGE UG PorFolio Courses • BA (hons) Poli<cs, • BA (hons) Interna<onal Rela<ons & Global Development,
• BA (hons) Interna<onal Rela<ons & Peace Graduate A"ributes: • Digital literacy, • Enterprise, • Global Outlook
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How ? • Level 6 • Compulsory 100 hours Voluntary Work Placement (block or incremental)
• Self organised, independent • Learning Outcomes:
• Evalua<on of roles, responsibili<es and organisa<ons • Cri<cal understanding and reflec<on • Effec<ve communica<on • Develop digital literacy
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Assessment A. Individual Presenta1on (20%) (15 min reflec<ve account)
1. Descrip<on of organisa<on and role/ac<vi<es
2. Rela<onship of volunteering/work prac<ce to course area
3. Details of role and ac<vi<es undertaken 4. Reflec<on: effec<veness of performance
5. Reflec<on on what was learned in rela<on to your employability and future plans
• Opportunity for feedback .
• Audience: L4/5, staff team & guests (?)
B. PorFolio (80%)
Reflec1ve component (50%) 1. Le"er to confirm hours and role 2. CV (2 sides A4 maximum) 3. Reflec<ve report (indica<ve 2000 words)
Cri1cal academic report (50%) 1500 words 1. Analysis of the organisa<on / ac<vi<es / sector
2. Rela<onship to your course 3. Cri<cal engagement with academic literature
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Examples of Volunteering Domes<c
• MPs – Westminster, Scodsh Parliament, Stormont, local cons<tuency offices and research offices .
• Member of the House of Lords • Regional Poli<cal Party offices • Local councillors and Mayors • IPPR North • NGOs and lobby groups – Greenpeace, CND, Oxfam • Campaigns -‐ Love Music, Hate Racism; An<-‐
bedroom Tax • Schools -‐ primary and secondary • Ford Open Prison and Armley • Trade Unions and the Regional TUC • South Yorkshire Migra<on and Asylum Service • Media -‐ Local papers, BBC Jersalem • Support groups: Somalian Womens’ group, refugee
ac<on, samaritans; rough sleepers project
Interna<onal • Human Rights commission Buenos Aires • Spanish Embassy Tehran • Street work Project Mexico • BBC Jerusalem • WWOOF Interna<onal • Orphanages and Teaching: Vietnam, Tanzania,
India, Nepal, Ghana • Environmental ac<on groups: Crete, Dominican
republic • Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Qatar • Amnesty Brazil
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h"p://leedspage.wordpress.com/ [email protected]
Innova1ons • Compe<<ve internships – to build ongoing rela<onships with par<cular organisa<ons
• Pebble pad porpolios – built over level 4 and 5 in prepara<on for level 6 assessment
• Cri<cal report – to develop link to academic literature in rela<on to course aims, and develop understanding of Poli<cs/Interna<onal Rela<ons/ Global Development/ Peace
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Challenges: • To ensure that both the student and the organisa<on maximise the benefits from the voluntary placement
• To build links with organisa<ons that are prepared to offer short term voluntary placements
• To develop contribu<on from PAGE students to local community in par<cular.