Work based learning: learning for the student, the organisation and the HEI

This seminar will review types of work based learning currently undertaken in Higher education and the characteristics of work based learning in HE. It will outline the Work Based Learning curriculum approach as used by Middlesex University and particularly consider work based learning projects. The features of work projects will be explored, focusing on the benefits for the learner, the organisation and the consequent impact on the Higher Education institution. Middlesex University has been involved with Work Based Learning (WBL) for eighteen years and has developed a flexible framework to enable recognition of experiential learning and Continuous Professional Development at all higher education levels from level 4 to 8. The CETL project undertook to spread WBL across all the schools in the university and to facilitate integration of WBL into a wide range of subject disciplines and associated professions such as management, nursing, criminology and Sport. This session uses case studies to illustrate ways that WBL has been able to contribute to accrediting learning from CPD and to extend this into organisational development opportunities.