Open AccessUsing Mobile Tools to Support Meaningful Work-based Learning in Vocational Education
Author(s) -
Hanna Vuojärvi,
Miikka Eriksson
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
seminar.net
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1504-4831
DOI - 10.7577/seminar.2332
Subject(s) - vocational education , thematic analysis , structuring , meaningful learning , negotiation , computer science , knowledge management , stakeholder , work (physics) , mathematics education , qualitative research , pedagogy , psychology , sociology , engineering , business , public relations , political science , mechanical engineering , social science , finance
This case study focused on meaningful work-based learning (WBL) and the pedagogical use of mobile information and communication technologies (ICTs) in vocational tourism education. The aim was to reveal how teaching/tutoring and learning are realized and how the use of smartphones supports the realization of meaningful learning characteristics during WBL periods in highly versatile environments. Within a design-based research framework, the data was collected through learning journals written by students and qualitative interviews. The results of thematic analysis were used to develop a practice-oriented pedagogical model for meaningful WBL. The model visualizes the roles of students, teachers, and companies involved in WBL, the meaningful learning characteristics that can be amplified through the use of mobile ICTs, and the outcomes for each stakeholder. The model suggests structuring WBL through four negotiations involving a student, a teacher, and a company to assure that each student has clearly formulated learning goals and possibilities to pursue those goals regardless of the mobility of their work or facilities during their WBL period.