CEWIL Resource Hub: WIL Quality Indicators

Institutions around the world are interested in increasing the number of work-integrated learning (WIL) opportunities available to post-secondary students. As the quantity of WIL programs and experiences increases, it's just as important to pay sufficient attention to the quality of these experiences for all key stakeholders. The AAA* WIL quality framework (McRae, Pretti, & Church, 2018) was developed through a review of quality in higher education and the field of WIL. Practitioners can use the framework to identify potential gaps in quality WIL. It also provides a list of potential outcomes and measures that can be used to evaluate WIL programs.aaa

The key components of quality WIL as defined by AAA* are pedagogy, experience, assessment, and reflection, or P.E.A.R. Making sure all four elements of P.E.A.R. are met is critical for ensuring quality WIL. 

 

WIL Quality Indicators

In the context of quality WIL, pedagogy represents the integration of workplace learning and academic learning. When thinking about pedagogy, practitioners may seek to answer the following questions:

  • How WIL fits into the overall curriculum, including when it occurs, for how long, and how it's taught
  • Whether or not a program includes one or many instances of WIL experience
  • At what stage in a student's curriculum the WIL experience occurs
  • How the WIL experience connects with and to other courses in the curriculum

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WIL Quality Framework

In addition to the WIL quality indicators detailed above, WIL experiences also need to be evaluated in terms of their impact on a variety of stakeholders. WIL is a collaborative endeavour, and the perspectives of all stakeholders must be incorporated to ensure the quality of WIL outcomes. 

Students are the participants in WIL courses and programs.

Aims

 Actions

 Achievements
 
  • Searching for/applying to potential WIL experience
  • Engaging in the curriculum which may include job search exercises, understanding expectations of the host organization and setting learning outcomes/goals for the WIL experience
  • Successfully completing assigned responsibilities and engaging with others in organization
  • Engaging in proactive workplace behaviours
  • Meeting curricular responsibilities as required by their academic program
  • Reflecting on their learning and growth from the experience
  • Leaving WIL experiences having met all expectations and with new skills and working relationships 
• Searching for/applying to potential WIL experiences
• Engaging in the curriculum which may include job search exercises, understanding expectations of the host organization and setting learning outcomes/goals for the WIL experience
• Successfully completing assigned responsibilities and engaging with others in organization
• Engaging in proactive workplace behaviours
• Meeting curricular responsibilities as required by their academic program
• Reflecting on their learning and growth from the experience
• Leaving WIL experiences having met all expectations and with new skills and working relationships 
 		 Academic outcomes
• Integrate theory with practice
• Clarity about academic goals
• Academic motivation

Professional outcomes
• Developing key workplace competencies
• Understanding workplace culture
• Developing clarity about career goals
• Building a professional network
• Increasing success with post-graduation employment

Personal outcomes
• Ability to determine strengths and weaknesses
• Increased maturity and confidence
• Potential earnings
• Productive and responsible citizenship skills
• Lifelong learning skills  

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