THE MACRO-SYSTEM
Experiential Learning Cycle
The Holistic Self
Empowering Student Development
The Experiential Learning Cycle is a cornerstone of the Student Knowledge Exchange (SKE) framework, emphasising the importance of connecting theoretical knowledge with practical application. This section highlights the continuous learning process, reflection, and feedback that facilitate the development of new ideas and concepts for real-world application, particularly for marginalised students who face additional barriers in the job market.
Key Points
Students actively engage in tasks to gain practical experience. This hands-on involvement allows them to directly apply theoretical knowledge and develop relevant skills. For example, students may participate in live industry projects, internships, and workshops that provide immersive, real-world experience. This is especially beneficial for minoritised students, as it helps them build confidence and gain exposure to professional environments they might not otherwise access.
Application within SKE:
- Engage in live projects and internships with industry partners to apply academic knowledge in practical settings.
- Participate in workshops and hands-on training sessions tailored to address the specific challenges faced by marginalised students, such as navigating visa regulations and overcoming cultural barriers.
Implement continuous assessment and reflection to recognise success and identify areas for growth. Reflective practices enable students to critically analyse their experiences and derive meaningful insights. This can include maintaining journals, engaging in peer reviews, and participating in reflective discussions, which help students understand their learning journey and adapt their strategies.
Application within SKE:
- Maintain journals or logs to document experiences and reflections, focusing on personal and professional growth.
- Participate in group discussions and peer reviews to gain diverse perspectives and enhance critical thinking skills.
Foster an environment of student autonomy by co-creating feedback with students and industry partners. This collaborative approach ensures that feedback is constructive and aligned with both student and industry needs. Regular feedback sessions help students adjust strategies and improve performance, which is crucial for their development and employability.
Application within SKE:
- Engage in regular feedback sessions with mentors and industry partners, ensuring feedback is culturally responsive and tailored to individual needs.
- Use feedback to adjust strategies, improve performance, and build resilience, especially for students from minoritised backgrounds.
Students develop new ideas and concepts based on their reflections. This process encourages innovation and creative problem-solving, allowing students to conceptualise solutions and strategies that can be applied in their professional lives. This stage is essential for fostering innovation and helping students turn their experiences into actionable knowledge.
Application within SKE:
- Develop innovative solutions to industry challenges based on reflective observations and feedback.
- Propose new strategies and ideas in team meetings and presentations, emphasising the integration of diverse cultural perspectives.
Students apply new ideas and concepts in real-world scenarios facilitated by industry partners. This phase involves testing and refining these ideas, providing valuable experience and enhancing employability. It helps students build practical skills and prepare for dynamic professional environments.
Application within SKE:
- Test new concepts and approaches in real-world projects, focusing on sustainability and ethical practices.
- Collaborate with industry partners to refine and implement innovative solutions, gaining practical experience and enhancing employability.
Utilise advanced tools to enhance learning and collaboration. This includes incorporating data analytics, visualisation, and digital publishing platforms to enhance learning and collaboration. AI tools, such as ChatGPT, can develop meta-cognitive skills and improve analytical objectivity.
Application within SKE:
- Use data analytics tools to gain insights and make data-driven decisions.
- Apply AI tools to enhance analytical skills and objectivity, providing equitable access to all students.
Implement strategies that promote inclusivity and collaboration in learning environments. Encourage innovation and risk-taking to create a dynamic and supportive atmosphere where students feel empowered to explore and grow.
Application within SKE:
- Foster a culture of inclusivity and collaboration in all learning activities, ensuring all students feel valued and supported.
- Encourage students to take risks and view failures as learning opportunities, building resilience and adaptability.
Policy, Advocacy, and Sustainability
The broader context of Student Knowledge Exchange (SKE) encompasses overarching societal and cultural factors that shape the environment in which students operate. Engaging in advocacy efforts to influence policies supporting marginalised students’ critical employability, such as securing funding for internships and placement programs, and incentivising industries to hire graduates, is crucial for systemic change. Promoting diversity and inclusion within critical employability initiatives ensures that all students have equal opportunities to succeed. Evidencing and capturing all other systems, this temporal dimension addresses the impact role of knowledge exchange on student development.
Policy Advocacy
Engaging in advocacy efforts to influence policies that support the critical employability of marginalised students is essential. This includes:
- Securing Funding: Advocating for dedicated funding for internships and placement programmes that specifically support underrepresented groups.
- Industry Incentives: Working with policymakers to create incentives for industries to hire graduates from diverse backgrounds.
- Dedicated Support: Ensuring policies that provide tailored support for international students, such as visa assistance and work placement opportunities.
Promoting Diversity and Inclusion
Promoting diversity and inclusion within critical employability initiatives ensures that all students have equal opportunities to succeed. This involves:
- Inclusive Curriculum: Embedding diversity, cultural and professional competencies into the curriculum.
- Equitable Access: Ensuring that all students, regardless of their background, have access to the same opportunities and resources.
Professional Responsibility
In educational and professional development, the focus extends beyond academic achievement to cultivating graduates who embody a robust professional identity, a keen sense of social responsibility, and the attributes of global citizens. This developmental sphere underscores the imperative of continuous learning, cultural intelligence, and the practical application of knowledge within the dynamic job market.
Social Responsibility
Central to this sphere is the cultivation of a strong professional identity, particularly crucial for graduates from marginalised and international backgrounds, equipping them with confidence in their abilities to excel across diverse professional settings.
Concurrently, instilling a sense of social responsibility empowers graduates to contribute ethically to their communities and industries, fostering societal well-being alongside personal career growth.
Continuous Learning and Alumni Tracking
Continuous learning and alumni tracking ensure ongoing support and adaptability to changes, fostering a professional identity grounded in social responsibility.
Alumni Support: Providing ongoing support to alumni to help them adapt to the evolving job market.
Skill Enhancement: Offering continuous opportunities for skill development and learning.
Measuring Impact
Measuring the impact of the industry live projects is crucial for understanding the effectiveness of these initiatives and making continuous improvements. This involves deploying surveys at different stages of the project to assess the skills distance travelled and overall impact on students’ professional development.
SURVEYS
1
Pre-Project Survey
To collect quantitative data on student perceptions and preparedness before participating in an industry live project. This survey assesses students’ confidence in their skills, understanding of the industry, and expectations for the project.
Deployment: Administered at the beginning of the project to gather baseline data.
Key Sections:
- Demographic Information
- Confidence in Skills
- Understanding of the Industry
- Expectations and Goals
- Preparedness and Support
- Feedback and Suggestions
2
Interim Survey
To collect feedback from students at the interim stage of their industry live project, assessing their experiences, reflections, and learning progress based on the Experiential Learning Cycle. This survey focuses on enhancing students’ professional identities and employability.
Deployment: Administered mid-way through the project to monitor progress and make necessary adjustments.
Key Sections:
- Concrete Experience
- Reflective Observations
- Co-Created Feedback
- Abstract Conceptualisations
- Active Experimentations
- Leveraging Technology
- Overall Feedback and Next Steps
3
Post-Project Survey
To measure the impact of the industry live project at the end of the project. This survey builds on previous surveys to assess the skills distance travelled, enhancement of professional identities, and overall employability. It also evaluates the broader impact on students, businesses, universities, and the wider economy and society.
Deployment: Administered at the end of the project to evaluate overall impact and outcomes.
Key Sections:
- Concrete Experience
- Reflective Observations
- Co-Created Feedback
- Abstract Conceptualisations
- Active Experimentations
- Leveraging Technology
- Professional Identity and Social
- Overall Feedback and Next Steps
Industry Partner Evaluative Survey Overview
Purpose: The Industry Partner Evaluative Survey is designed to gather comprehensive feedback from industry collaborators regarding their experience with the industry SKE projects. The primary objectives of this survey are to assess the effectiveness of student contributions, understand the impact of the collaboration on both the students and the organisation, and identify areas for improvement. By collecting insights from industry partners, the aim is to enhance the quality and relevance of industry live projects, ensuring that they continue to provide valuable learning experiences for students and meaningful outcomes for industry partners.
When to Deploy: This survey should be deployed at the end of the industry live project. It is crucial to distribute the survey after the project has concluded to allow industry partners to reflect on the entire process and provide informed feedback. The ideal timing for deployment is within one to two weeks after the project’s completion, ensuring the experiences are still fresh in the minds of the participants.
Instructions for Deployment:
- Prepare the Survey: Ensure the survey is customised to reflect the specific industry live project and the roles of the participating students. Include any project-specific details that may aid in the evaluation process.
- Distribute to Industry Partners: Send the survey to all relevant industry contacts who were directly involved in the project. This may include project managers, team leaders, and other professionals who interacted with the students.
- Provide Context: In the survey invitation, briefly explain the purpose of the survey and how the feedback will be used to improve future projects. Emphasise the importance of honest and constructive feedback.
- Set a Deadline: Clearly communicate the deadline for survey completion, typically set for one to two weeks after distribution. This ensures timely collection of feedback while giving respondents enough time to provide thoughtful responses.
- Follow-Up: Send a reminder email a few days before the deadline to encourage participation. Highlight the importance of their feedback in shaping future collaborations.
- Analyze Results: Once the surveys are collected, analyse the responses to identify common themes, strengths, and areas for improvement. Use this data to make informed decisions about how to enhance future industry live projects.
By systematically collecting and analysing feedback from industry partners, we can ensure that our industry live projects continue to evolve and meet the needs of both students and industry stakeholders. This collaborative approach not only enhances student learning and employability but also strengthens our partnerships with the industry, fostering a mutually beneficial relationship.
