Open AccessBlended Learning at the Boundary: Designing a New Internship
Author(s) -
Robert Heckman,
Carsten S. Ã ̃sterlund,
Jeffrey S. Saltz
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
online learning
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.182
H-Index - 49
eISSN - 2472-5749
pISSN - 2472-5730
DOI - 10.24059/olj.v19i3.671
Subject(s) - internship , blended learning , salient , leverage (statistics) , boundary (topology) , exploit , work (physics) , computer science , mathematics education , engineering , artificial intelligence , psychology , educational technology , mechanical engineering , mathematics , medical education , mathematical analysis , computer security , medicine
This paper explores how blended learning can enhance learning at the boundary between academia and industry, and make possible the design of a new kind of internship. Boundary theory proposes that socio-cultural discontinuities between different environments create opportunities for learning. Blended learning pedagogy makes it possible to make the boundary between the classroom and the work place more salient and continuous. We present principles for designing internships that leverage blended learning to exploit boundaries, and describe an internship program based on these principles. Finally, we reflect on what we have learned through two years experience offering the program to students and employers.