ERIC Number: EJ1141298
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2017
Pages: 16
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-1175-2882
EISSN: N/A
Road Testing Graduate Attributes and Course Learning Outcomes of an Environmental Science Degree via a Work-Integrated Learning Placement
Whelan, Michael
Asia-Pacific Journal of Cooperative Education, v18 n1 p1-13 2017
Graduate attributes and course learning outcomes are an integral part of higher education in Australia. Testing the performance of graduates in the workplace with regard to graduate attributes and course learning outcomes is a not a common occurrence. This study has road tested the graduate attributes and course learning outcomes of a bachelor degree in environmental science via students participating in a work-integrated learning (WIL) placement. Comparisons of importance and perceptions of students' skill level between host-supervisors, students and teaching staff were made. On the whole teaching staff perceived students' skills as "adequate" while the students and host-supervisors perceive students' skill level to approach "proficient". Students on WIL placements appear to meet hosts' expectations and there appears to be no significant gap in the curriculum. Road testing graduate attributes and course learning outcomes has led to changes in the curriculum. A recommendation is made to define the skill level of a work-ready graduate that is quantifiable rather than use terms such as "well-developed".
Descriptors: Environmental Education, Science Education, College Graduates, Foreign Countries, Outcomes of Education, Bachelors Degrees, Work Experience Programs, Comparative Analysis, Student Attitudes, Expectation, Educational Change, Curriculum, Job Performance, Employer Attitudes, Job Skills, Teacher Attitudes, College Faculty, Statistical Analysis, Course Objectives, Education Work Relationship, Employment Potential, Questionnaires
New Zealand Association for Cooperative Education. University of Waikato, Private Bag 3105, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand. Tel: +64-7-838-4892; e-mail: editor@apjce.org; Web site: http://www.apjce.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Australia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A