1st meeting - WBL in HE

So all the partners today for the EU project

C:\Documents and Settings\ugiagb01\My Documents\WBLinHE Initial Partner Meeting Agenda V3 (2).htm

There were colleagues from Austria, Germany, Spain and Poland. It was really interesting to learn about the different modes of work based learning and differing drivers for its differing level of use and integration in programmes.

There is much discussion to be had regarding a working definition of work based learning - however, I believe that it should be transformative - it should change how workers think and their cognitive processes - this is where HE provision is invalulable - critical thinking and evaluation etc

A current theme was one of workers for the future and not workers who are replicas of former workers - this for me is where work based learning differs from training.

There are certainly different levels of engagement with business and employers and one thing I have become more conscious of is the need that work based learning does not become a piece of consultancy for employers involved - I do not think that it is about solving a work based problem - it is more holistic than that..what exactly I am not sure - but I see problem solving and inquiry led learning as mechanisms by which work based learning is delivered - it is not work based learning itself.

Erasmus funded WBLinHE research project

So great news - the lovely Jayne Mothersdale asked me whether I would like to be involved in an Erasmus bid that she was considering submitting as she knows of my interest and PhD which has some coverage of work based learning - I jumped at the chance and spent a few days and a weekend doing some research, writing some blurb for the bid, keeping her sane that sort of thing!

Anyway, we got it!!!! Which is brilliant for Jayne as it was the first she has ever submitted and of course brilliant for me as I am going to be involved in what is going to prove to be an exciting and interesting research project. I am sure I am going to develop some great research skills, accessing more literature which I can use for my PhD and basically get some invaluable research experience - I am hoping that I may be able to submit some journal articles etc for publication off the back of the bid as well... The Erasums bid was for c300,000 euros and over 24 months- so we are talking about a significant bid

2011 - 2013 ... ERASMUS Multi-lateral project involving eight European countries looking at Work Based Learning (WBL) as an Integrated Curriculum: Partnership Development and Delivery by H.E. and the Labour Market (WBLinHE)

I am really looking forward to being part of it and learning lots of interesting and exciting stuff!

Word cloud data

Self branding Job search developing self-marketing skills


Collecting evidence of activities - Structuring evidence - Sharing this evidence quickly and easily


easy access to information


Personal Academic and Career Effectiveness


Studies Information Shopping


Documenting work and achievements Selling oneself to potential employers Learning process


Evidence of work


Essays Group work Easy to sent to staff


Employer can search for you and understand your work.


Display your work. Networking


sharing information between students and staff efficient way of handing in assignments faster way of communication


Overseas viewing


Quick uploads to show people


A backup of work


interviewing a media job,


easy for access, show extra media skill


a great way of showing off computer skills. -you will always have a backup portfolio. -useful in interviews.


Quickly sharing examples of your work with other. A back up for work whoch maybe lost if stored hardcopy A chronological record of your progress.

Word Cloud

So - I finally managed to do an e-portfolio workshop and collect some data around perceptions of e-portfolios and there use.

I am now buckling down to write up a report for ALPS and disseminate some of the findings - I am attempting to use http://www.tagxedo.com/ which looks really useful but I am not sure how to use it yet!

I am going to post words from qualitative questions in questionnaire and see if I can form a word cloud from that!

I have (with some help from our brill learning technologist), created a rich picture analysis of my PhD study - but as ever - my supervisor(s) have suggested a change! I have also applied for £1k of funds to help me with the pilot phase of my study.

Just got news on Friday that my HEA bid was rejected :( - just got to keep plugging away for funds etc but it is hard!!!!!

Start of this thing called PhD

Ok - so I thought it would be a good idea to get back into blogging and blog about my experiences during my PhD - yes, someone was daft enough to give me a place and now I have returned to the dark days of Pro Plus and Red Bull - although admittedly the most challenging thing to date has been finding the time.

I have my third meeting with my supervisors next week (I wont name them as I am not sure that they would appreciate it) - they have been super to date - really challenging me and making me think..which is no mean feat I can tell you.

What I have enjoyed most is reading around the subject I am interested in and learning about research philosophy - my inner accountant has been put to one side and I am slowly learning what social science is about.

I have been grappling with a 6,000 word - yes 6,000 word essay on a research methods topic of my choice. I have gone for validity issues associated with narrative research - an interesting yet hugely challenging subject- this I think is going to be a common feature of this thing called PhD.