Applied learning

Black Collegian, Oct 1994 by Jones, Jennifer

Think about the challenge of the transition from college to work. Suddenly you feel like a freshman again, with all of the fears and anxieties of a new kid on the block. Applied learning (such as cooperative education and internships) can provide the support enabling you to make the transition from the classroom to the marketplace and revitalize your academic learning.

Cooperative education, which is a widely recognized model of applied learning in higher education, is more than 80 years old. The University of Cincinnati became one of the first colleges to apply this concept, and was soon followed by Northeastern University, University of Pittsburgh, University of Detroit, Georgia Institute of Technology, Rochester Institute of Technology, University of Akron, Marquette University, Drexel University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Antioch University.

Today more than 1,000 academic institutions offer cooperative education programs, with more than 275,000 participating students.

WHAT IS APPLIED LEARNING?

Applied learning consists of cooperative education, experiential learning, apprenticeships, occupational learning, and internships, all of which are forms of experience-based, formal education or applied learning. These programs all involve learning outside of the classroom, in the workplace. In these models of applied learning, students have hands-on experiences that allow them to directly apply the theories they study in college.

Cooperative education is a course of study that has in-school and out-of-school components combining work experience and formal academic learning. A cooperative education student is usually paid. The cooperative education student may combine study and work either part-time or full-time, using the following models:

* Parallel--part-time work and part-time study

* Extended Day--full-time study and part-time work or part-time study and full-time work

* Alternating--full-time work and full-time study in alternating patterns

Internships are structured, out-of-class learning experiences that include a work component. They may be taken either full-time or part-time, with an academic program of study.

It is sometimes difficult to distinguish these forms of applied learning. Historically, they have had distinguishing features, but across time the lines have become blurred.

Many colleges give academic credit for applied learning. Credit vs. non credit, however, is based on the philosophy of the academic institution. Credited or not, applied learning experiences can be challenging and rewarding.

What is probably more important than credit is to choose a model or program that fits your educational needs and career interests. Programs vary in size and the services they offer, such as career counseling, resume writing, interview preparation, field experience courses, and seminars. They also differ philosophically. Some programs stress the educational benefits of the experience, while other programs may emphasize career development more, or put equal emphasis on both. A school's track record is also important. Are there a variety of outside organizations participating in the program and is the applied learning experience available to all students, or only selected majors? What are the prerequisites for student participation? Are the internships or cooperative education experiences paid?

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

The combination of work and study helps students to become self-directed and to operate in new self-awareness. For example, Diogenes Grullon, a senior in media arts at Jersey City State College, learned quickly that success in his applied learning experience was not based solely on a job description: Problem-solving skills, effective communication, and team work are equally important to his success at WXTV/Channel 41. Students are able to evaluate strengths and weaknesses in their chosen fields with the support of the job supervisor and a college member--faculty coordinator and an intern coordinator or cooperative education coordinator--who is responsible for assisting students to develop learning objectives and build competence.

CAREER DEVELOPMENT

As a tool of career counseling, applied learning experiences help students to test career choices before graduation and provide valuable information for self-assessment, clarifying goals, and identifying issues that may become barriers to a chosen field. Identifying those issues early can really make the difference between success and failure in a very competitive marketplace. The applied learning experiences also enable students to make immediate contributions to the organization and limit valuable training time and resources in the initial year of professional, full-time employment.

EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS

Some educators think that applied learning experiences may be too vocationally oriented, with minimal emphasis on the educational benefits. Whether it is cooperative education or an internship, a properly structured program can provide exciting opportunities for learning. Students become participant observers. They can take learned academic concepts into the workplace for further study. Consequently, students become more excited learners. The experiences also enable students to develop those valuable critical and analytic thinking skills that employers think are necessary for employees to grow and succeed in the marketplace.