Work-Based Learning is a form of WIL

Your WIL program is called Work-Based Learning (WBL) with both in-person blocks and virtual components for your academics while you are employed. During the program, you will have the opportunity to reflect on and debrief your experiences. Think of these as the “feeling” and “thinking” stages of Kolb’s model of experiential learning, which you will learn more about in your Technology Leadership and Professional Reflection course.

You will be asked to work independently on activities and assignments.  However, the York University team is here to support you, it is important to be aware of how to access assistance when needed.

Here are a few ways we will connect over each term:

• Term Check-ins. Your Professional Skills Coach will connect with you and your supervisor at multiple points during each term. This monitoring exercise may happen virtually via a conference call or involve an actual visit to the worksite. Your employer will also be asked to complete evaluations of your workplace performance.
• Learning Portfolio Development. You will be asked to reflect on your skill development and provide evidence of your learning within a formal learning portfolio (PebblePad) as part of your program evaluation process. The Learning Portfolio will be important over time to capture work place learning that could articulate competency development.

The Work Part of WBL

As a WBL student, you will have a lot of responsibilities at work. You will maintain dual accountability to both your WBL courses as well as your supervisor at work. You will need to communicate, conduct yourself professionally, understand confidentiality, seek feedback, and be open to learning. Your success is dependent on open communication and active listening.

Before you begin, you should familiarize yourself with your school’s student code of conduct, the Digital Technologies Learning Agreement, and the organizational guidelines and rules at your workplace. Here are a few common responsibilities that you will have as part of the work part of WBL:

• Follow Workplace Requirements. Be punctual and follow the daily organizational routines that are in place. Organizations often mandate that employees abide by a set structure of routine, with scheduled work hours, breaks, and social norms.
• Work within your assigned role. Your roles and responsibilities may begin before and keep going after the work placement. However, your duties should be clearly laid out. Students are responsible for open communication to ask questions, express any concerns, and ensure to perform and complete tasks assigned to their best abilities.
• Be curious about the workplace protocols and culture of your placement. Organizational protocols and culture will vary from organization to organization, and this is your opportunity to really explore the industry or sector where you aspire to work after graduating. Confidential information related to the work placements should not be disclosed without the written permission of the employer. Always seek clarification from the employer if you are unsure whether certain material or information is confidential. Information obtained in WIL should not be leveraged in any way for personal gain.
• Follow occupational health and safety guidelines. You should also seek to know and understand the workplace occupational health and safety standards within your region. Here is the link for Ontario Ontario Work Place Safety Standards.

You are required to manage the set of obligations set out by York University and the employer. Remember to maintain a high level of professional behaviour and enjoy the learning experience.