Practical Learning in the Faculty of Business, Economics and Law
La Trobe University’s Strategic Plan and the Faculty Operational Plan supports the delivery of learning that engages students in the real world and allows them to link learning achieved at university with real world problems and challenges.
Professional accrediting and non-accrediting bodies also endorse the need for such learning as a way to better prepare students for the work force they will enter upon graduation.
The Faculty offers a variety of practical learning opportunities to students designed to give them a competitive edge on the job market. These are classified as Work Integrated Learning (WIL) or Experience Based Learning opportunities (EBL).
What is Work Integrated Learning?
Work Integrated Learning is the integration of educational theory and workplace experience. Simply put, WIL is about placing students in a workplace in order to apply what they have learned at university in a real workplace.
Types of WIL placements
Industry project
An industry project will have a set timeline in which to complete a task. Ultimately, students will utilise skills around planning, organising and managing resources within a practical business setting working on a project related to the discipline of study. Many organisations are able to introduce new projects and complete existing projects with the added student resource. Time spent on industry projects may vary and is as negotiated between student and host.
Practicum subjects
Practicum subjects involve students spending a defined amount of time within a workplace for educational purposes i.e. students will be expected to complete assessment based on their experience in the workplace. And will generally spend between 150 – 200 hours in the workplace. The Faculty offers a broad range of practicum options to students. Involvement in practicum subjects can be a cost effective method of delivering business solutions.
Sandwich course
In a sandwich course (also known as Co-Operative Education) the student engages in structured learning via a paid position in the workforce, often on a full time basis and after completing 2 years of study. After the co-op placement, students will complete their last year of academic study and ideally have a graduate position already confirmed up as a result of the placement!
While the Faculty does not offer a structured sandwhich course at present, students have the option of independently applying for co-op programs that are promoted by the
Career Development Centre at La Trobe or conducting their own research on job search sites such as
UniGrad and Graduate Opportunities.
Internships
An internship enables a student to be placed in a workplace as a temporary and supervised employee, receiving on the job training within their chosen profession while still attending university. Internships will usually be completed in block mode (5 days per week) over the period of a few months. Depending on the workplace, internships may be paid or unpaid. Internships are a great way to introduce fresh ideas into the team. Internships are increasingly resulting in ongoing employment arrangements between students and industry partners.
Cadetships
The Australian Government offers cadetships across a range of disciplines. By participating in a cadetship within the Australian Government, students may go onto full time employment after they finish their studies. Cadetships generally provide students with a working environment where they can access dedicated career development and support personnel. Mentoring is a key feature of the cadetship structure. Cadetships are also offered by many corporate organisations.
Vacation work
Degree-related work (usually paid) undertaken by students at the end of their second year of study, over the holiday period.
The Career Development Centreruns an annual Work Experience Expo which is dedicated to promoting vacation work opportunities to students.
What is Experience Based Learning?
This type of learning allows students to explore theory based concepts in a way that is relevant to real industry problems. However, experience based learning does not necessarily occur in the workplace. For example guest lecturing and field visits are scenarios that facilitate experience based learning without being in the workplace.
The Faculty of Business, Economics and Law participates in a variety of WIL and experience based learning elements
Types of EBL placements
Industry related learning
This refers to teaching practices which relate the learning experience of the students to the skills and knowledge of the relevant industry. Industry related learning can occur with or without direct contact with the industry. Examples of industry related experiences with industry contact include guest lectures. Examples of industry related learning without industry contact include use of case studies.
Mentoring/Shadowing
Refers to a personal developmental relationship where a more experienced person in industry helps a less experienced person such as a student. Experience, skills and a desire to help are among the most valuable assets in a mentoring relationship rather than age or title. Mentoring in business organisations can be an informal or formal process. Shadowing is a common form of authentic learning utilised by the School of Law in the Judicial Mentoring Program.
Simulation learning
Simulations seek to copy a real life work place or work project in terms of its tasks and culture in a simulated exercise where students replicate real world operations and conduct themselves within that environment, only within the university learning environment.SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise) is a good example of how simulation learning can work. SIFE is an international network of students, academics and business leaders working in partnership with business and higher education. University students around the world use the knowledge gained in the classroom to address real world business, social, environmental and economic issues in their community.
Find out more about La Trobe’s SIFE team.
Guest lectures
Normally guest lectures are chosen because they are considered an expert in their field. The student learning experience will be enhanced because the guest lecturer brings added knowledge and a different perspective to the discipline, than what is taught during normal lecture or tutorial time. Guest lecturing is frequently implemented across a range of programs in the Faculty.
Problem based learning
With problem based learning, students may work in teams or as an individual. Thinking laterally, communicating and networking, teaches the students to work through problems together. The problems that are introduced to the students are generally problems they may encounter in the workplace.
Study tours and field visits
Study tours and field visits allow students to observe and ask questions of professional and industry practitioners in the work pace. I.e. this activity allows students to have an authentic learning experience that links theory with practice. It also provides a link between the student and the profession that often is not available in the class room. Study trips, particularly those conducted overseas allow for a block mode approach while site visits built into the curriculum take place over the period of a semester or more.
