Barriers to effective learning by university students on work related learning: A case study of Gweru urban area in the Midlands Province of Zimbabwe
Work Related Learning (WRL) provides a platform for students to link theory and practice. Universities in Zimbabwe have WRL as part of their curricula and whilst some universities refer this programme to as "student attachment", others have adopted the term WRL. The period of student place...
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| Language: | English |
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The International Society for the Social Studies
2016
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| Online Access: | http://cirworld.com/index.php/jssr/article/view/1306 |
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| author | Makuvaro, Veronica Ngara, Rosemary Magwa, Simuforosa |
| author_facet | Makuvaro, Veronica Ngara, Rosemary Magwa, Simuforosa |
| author_sort | Makuvaro, Veronica |
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| description | Work Related Learning (WRL) provides a platform for students to link theory and practice. Universities in Zimbabwe have WRL as part of their curricula and whilst some universities refer this programme to as "student attachment", others have adopted the term WRL. The period of student placement at work places may differ among universities. There has however, been a general move from short term periods to longer periods of attachment. When effectively carried out, WRL can benefit students, academic staff / institutions as well as the employer. The aim of this study was to identify barriers to effective learning of students on WRL. A case study was conducted with students on WRL in Gweru urban area. A questionnaire was administered to 50 students who were at 15 different workplaces during the period May-June 2014. Semi-structured interviews were also conducted with a total of eight co-ordinators of the WRL programmesat the Midlands State University in Gweru and supervisors at 12 randomly selected workplaces where students were seconded for the WRL programme. Problems encountered by students on WRL include delays in securing places for attachment, lack of financial incentives to meet basic requirements and limited access to Information Technology and Communication. The study recommends that Universities revisit their WRL programmes to address existing conditions, particularly those of large student numbers and a dwindling industrial base. Policies which permit effective placement and learning of students on WRL at both private and public work-places should also be put in place. |
| format | Article |
| id | ir-11408-1338 |
| institution | My University |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2016 |
| publisher | The International Society for the Social Studies |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | ir-11408-13382022-06-27T13:49:06Z Barriers to effective learning by university students on work related learning: A case study of Gweru urban area in the Midlands Province of Zimbabwe Makuvaro, Veronica Ngara, Rosemary Magwa, Simuforosa Work related learning Students Barriers Revisiting of WRL programmes Work Related Learning (WRL) provides a platform for students to link theory and practice. Universities in Zimbabwe have WRL as part of their curricula and whilst some universities refer this programme to as "student attachment", others have adopted the term WRL. The period of student placement at work places may differ among universities. There has however, been a general move from short term periods to longer periods of attachment. When effectively carried out, WRL can benefit students, academic staff / institutions as well as the employer. The aim of this study was to identify barriers to effective learning of students on WRL. A case study was conducted with students on WRL in Gweru urban area. A questionnaire was administered to 50 students who were at 15 different workplaces during the period May-June 2014. Semi-structured interviews were also conducted with a total of eight co-ordinators of the WRL programmesat the Midlands State University in Gweru and supervisors at 12 randomly selected workplaces where students were seconded for the WRL programme. Problems encountered by students on WRL include delays in securing places for attachment, lack of financial incentives to meet basic requirements and limited access to Information Technology and Communication. The study recommends that Universities revisit their WRL programmes to address existing conditions, particularly those of large student numbers and a dwindling industrial base. Policies which permit effective placement and learning of students on WRL at both private and public work-places should also be put in place. 2016-05-17T07:09:36Z 2016-05-17T07:09:36Z 2015 Article 2321-1091 http://cirworld.com/index.php/jssr/article/view/1306 en Journal of Social Science Resarch;Vol. 7, no. 1 open The International Society for the Social Studies |
| spellingShingle | Work related learning Students Barriers Revisiting of WRL programmes Makuvaro, Veronica Ngara, Rosemary Magwa, Simuforosa Barriers to effective learning by university students on work related learning: A case study of Gweru urban area in the Midlands Province of Zimbabwe |
| title | Barriers to effective learning by university students on work related learning: A case study of Gweru urban area in the Midlands Province of Zimbabwe |
| title_full | Barriers to effective learning by university students on work related learning: A case study of Gweru urban area in the Midlands Province of Zimbabwe |
| title_fullStr | Barriers to effective learning by university students on work related learning: A case study of Gweru urban area in the Midlands Province of Zimbabwe |
| title_full_unstemmed | Barriers to effective learning by university students on work related learning: A case study of Gweru urban area in the Midlands Province of Zimbabwe |
| title_short | Barriers to effective learning by university students on work related learning: A case study of Gweru urban area in the Midlands Province of Zimbabwe |
| title_sort | barriers to effective learning by university students on work related learning: a case study of gweru urban area in the midlands province of zimbabwe |
| topic | Work related learning Students Barriers Revisiting of WRL programmes |
| url | http://cirworld.com/index.php/jssr/article/view/1306 |
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