learning@home WiL Initiative: Evaluation

Abstract

The learning@home Work Integrated Learning (WiL) Initiative (hereafter WiL Initiative) was introduced as an alternative to graduate stage Professional Experience (PEx) placements for final year Initial Teacher Education (ITE) students during April 2020. The WiL Initiative was introduced due to the COVID-19 restrictions which interrupted PEx placements in schools. Five Queensland Universities and a total of 211 ITE students engaged in the WiL Initiative comprising: Griffith University (105 students), Australian Catholic University (54), University of the Sunshine Coast (23), James Cook University (20), and Central Queensland University (9). This evaluation is based on surveys that were administered to the population of ITE students, mentors and academic staff participants in order to understand the impact and success of the WiL Initiative and to inform future models. Fifty-three students, representing a 28% response rate; seven mentors, representing a 100% response rate; and 14 academic staff, representing a 79% response rate participated in the survey. This evaluation is based on surveys that were administered to the population of ITE students, mentors and academic staff participants in order to understand the impact and success of the WiL Initiative and to inform future models. Fifty-three students, representing a 28% response rate; seven mentors, representing a 100% response rate; and 14 academic staff, representing a 79% response rate participated in the survey.