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2 Reaping the benefits of work-based learning: supporting psychology students to make the most of WBL opportunities Jim Adams, Catherine Coulson, Pauline Fox, Jo Lozinska, Maddie Ohl and Nick Scott HEA Psychology Network Student Employability event 18 June 2010

The team … Jim Adams Blended Learning Unit Catherine Coulson Psychology (Year 3) Pauline Fox Experiential Learning Module Leader Jo Lozinska Careers and Employment Service Maddie Ohl Work of Psychologists Module Leader Nick ScottPsychology (Graduate Diploma) 3

Session outline Work-based learning in psychology at TVU –The Work of Psychologists module –Experiential Learning module WBL resources –Place to Place e-guidance resource –Work experience podcasts The student perspective 4

Psychology WBL at TVU Students generally: –Start degree aiming for a career in a psychology profession –Work part-time Time availability Importance of relevant work experience Fitting WBL into the curriculum –Institutional factors –Curriculum design e.g. balance between subject and WBL 5

6 The Work of Psychologists module Shows how psychology graduates can use their theoretical knowledge and research skills in their working lives Looks at the application of psychology both through the discipline’s professions (e.g. Health Psychology, Forensic Psychology, Counselling Psychology) and also how this knowledge can be transferred to non- psychology related career options Encourages students to develop a realistic outlook to how their degree can further their career options

7 The Work of Psychologists module Includes: –Lectures on roles of British Psychological Society and Health Professions Council –Outside speakers: Chartered Psychologists working in the professions Psychology graduates who use their degree in a non- psychology setting –Career management component An opportunity to review the skills and qualities employers look for and how students can enhance their employability (CV, job application and interview techniques) Supported by central Careers and Employment service

8 Experiential Learning module Year 3 module Students arrange a work-based ‘placement’: –Minimum 30 hours/paid or voluntary/existing or new –Supports personal development –Allows analysis of relationship between psychological theory and practice Supported by: –Lectures, seminars and supervision sessions –Assessments that link to both WBL and psychological theory and research

9 Assessment 1: Progress report Students: –Contextualise the organisation e.g. government policy, socio-economic issues affecting the organisation, organisational structure and management, clients/users/patients/customers –Reflect on their experiences e.g. role, key activities, skills used and how these are linked to competencies employers expect to see, –Plan how they intend to develop in the placement

10 Assessment 2: Evaluation report Students: –Analyse the relationship between psychological theory and practice at the placement and how this might be developed –Write a feedback letter to the organisation e.g. what they have gained from the experience

Place to Place: e-guidance Specific to psychology students Helps students to think about what skills employers want and what skills they’ve developed through WBL Aims to develop their skills, knowledge and confidence in linking placement learning to real employment and training opportunities This work was supported by the Centre for Excellence in Professional Placement Learning CETL, University of Plymouth.

Opening screen

Activity screen

Things students said … ‘I think it helped me to understand the importance of backing up my experiences and abilities with examples’ ‘Supporting statement was great. I really liked it’ ‘Useful as I didn’t know what employers are looking for’ ‘It was reassuring to know that I’m on the right track’

15 Place to Place This work was supported by the Centre for Excellence in Professional Placement Learning CETL, University of Plymouth.

16 Work experience podcasts Supported by the HEA Psychology Network Aim to: –Highlight importance of work experience –Focus on benefits, challenges and practicalities of work experience Feature interviews with: –Psychology graduates who carried out work experience as undergraduates –Employers about how they perceive work experience for graduates

17 Interview with Clarissa …… Psychology graduate –Some challenges of work experience –Using work experience in job applications Running time - 2mins:27secs

18 The student perspective Consolidate learning Applicability & relevance Reflection Is this the right choice? Context Evaluation

19 Feedback, questions and comments, please