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Aotearoa New Zealand has a significant population of Pacific students in the higher education sector although proportionally Pacific academic staff numbers are negligible. In social work programs students undertaking work-integrated learning (WIL) generally work with non-Pacific academic staff and are matched with agencies seen to be appropriate to their learning needs. This article draws on the perspectives of six Pacific graduates on elements that may enable the improvement of WIL experiences. The findings indicate that higher education providers should strengthen relationship-building with students and families; support host organizations to understand the unique needs of Pacific students; and develop systems of accountability and mentoring that promote Pacific student success in WIL. Drawing on a Pacific model of professional supervision and the findings from this study a model for supporting the learning of Pacific WIL students is proposed. The model encompasses three domains: personal, cultural, and professional.

Work-integrated learning (WIL) is an activity with inherent risks, different from those that occur with on-campus learning experiences. Risks associated with WIL may have serious financial, reputational and legal consequences for universities, WIL staff, students and host organizations. Using a mixed methods approach, this study examined how risk was defined and perceived by those involved in WIL, across eight New Zealand universities. Differences in understanding were examined and compared across disciplines and university roles. WIL staff perceived health and safety; conduct of students; student characteristics; conduct of the host organization (including exploitation and physical safety of students) as high risk. These factors were all linked to reputational risk for the university. WIL staff (both new and more experienced) need to have a clear understanding of the risks, so they can design risk management practices to help mitigate these risks for universities, students, host organizations, as well as themselves.

This article documents an examination of the role and alignment of social work field education within workintegrated learning (WIL) pedagogy. Both social work education and work-integrated learning share a long history of helping students connect with authentic work-related learning opportunities in the context of engagement and partnership with organizations outside of the educational institution, using onsite mentoring. The tensions associated with aligning social work with WIL are explored and pedagogical similarities between the two enterprises are identified. Key tools and processes for strengthening the quality of field education in social work are discussed along with approaches for placement preparation, student supervision and assessment. Three potential contributions that social work field education practice may offer WIL best practice frameworks include the addition of preplacement preparation for students and field educators, professional supervision approaches, and the inclusion of service user feedback within student assessment processes.

The immersion of students into a workplace environment, as part of a deliberate pedagogy for integrating theoretical and practical knowledge, is not without risk. In order to safely provide such work-integrated learning (WIL) opportunities, the responsibility for managing these risks should be shared by all stakeholders. The purpose of this study was to explore strategies to manage different types of risks in WIL for students, host organizations and universities. Data was collected using an online survey, and interviews with university staff involved in WIL. Twenty-eight disciplines and a range of models of WIL from across the eight New Zealand universities were represented. Key strategies identified included: appropriate pre-placement preparation for students and hosts; clear contractual arrangements; good internal systems and resourcing (especially staff); and strong relationship management. Practical guidelines to help WIL stakeholders further develop their understanding and awareness of risk are presented.

Universities in New Zealand are increasingly focused on an employability and global citizenship agenda, leading to a proliferation of work-integrated learning (WIL) courses across diverse curriculum areas. WIL exposes students to authentic learning opportunities in a workplace. It is however an activity with inherent risks which may have significant consequences for students, universities and host organizations. This study drew on qualitative interpretive methodology to examine risks related to WIL at eight universities from the perspective of eighteen academic and professional staff. The findings indicate that significant risks for students undertaking WIL relate to the readiness and suitability of the student, the learning environment and student safety. A framework that outlines the responsibilities and conduct of students during WIL is presented. While it is acknowledged that all stakeholders are important in the WIL enterprise, it is the student experience that should be prioritized.

While the benefits of work-integrated learning (WIL) are undisputed, identifying what elements enable quality experiences is a more challenging endeavor. This article focuses on the perspectives of New Zealand social work tertiary educators regarding components of quality WIL. The participants recognized the difficulties in succinctly articulating quality WIL but agreed with previous research that effective WIL is reliant on strong relationships between the tertiary sector, organizations and students. Findings from this research attest to the importance of placing field educators into this traditional tripartite relationship thus celebrating their central role in student learning. Addressing poor professional practice in the WIL environment was an identified concern. Effective use of the national field education guidelines for the evaluation of WIL experiences is recommended. The assessment of student readiness and suitability for specific environments also requires ongoing consideration from HEIs alongside mitigation of the potentially negative impacts of WIL.

At Massey University, New Zealand, the Moodle program was introduced as an institutional innovation to support and enhance teaching and learning. Within the social work field education program Moodle has been embraced as an opportunity to creatively advance current educational practices. The development of a meta-site for field education enables greater connections between the university and the community. This paper explores the perspectives of field educators and academic staff on the opportunities and challenges associated with on-line learning in field education. Specifically it assesses the value of this Moodle site and considers ways in which the current innovation can be further developed.

Competency-based education (CBE) is currently being implemented by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada across all residency programs. This shift away from time-based residency is proposed to be the answer to maximize training opportunity in the era of work hour restrictions and growing concerns regarding accountability in medical education. A Web-based survey was conducted to obtain feedback from Canadian general surgery residents on their experience and perception of competence within core procedures, as well as attitudes toward CBE. A total of 244 residents completed the survey. For most procedures, more than 50% of residents felt they could perform the procedure with no guidance after completing 11-30 cases. Generally, residents were welcoming of CBE; however, medium-sized programs reported some concerns regarding inadequate exposure to cases and risk of training less well-rounded surgeons. This is valuable resident feedback for programs to consider during the implementation process., Competency-based education (CBE) is currently being implemented by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC), using the Competence By Design (CBD) framework, across all residency programs in [...]

Work-integrated learning (WIL), as an educational approach, is facilitated through relationships between Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and external ‘host’ organizations. Responsible host organizations should recognize that students undertaking WIL come from a range of different cultures, socio-economic backgrounds, and have varying academic, physical, and other capabilities. An inclusive workplace will seek to facilitate a positive and rewarding experience for all WIL students. Recent WIL literature has seen a strong focus on inclusive access to WIL. This article examines key elements that can contribute to host organizations providing an inclusive environment for students. Socio-cultural theories related to learning in the workplace are used as a theoretical lens. An Inclusive WIL Workplace Framework is proposed, highlighting principles, practices, and supervisor and co-worker characteristics, that can be utilized by workplaces to assess their inclusivity and address any gaps, and by students to understand the expectations of HEIs on host organizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents the reflections of social work, education advocacy and directorate staff on social work student placements in Cambodia. Staff were predominantly from Cambodia while the student, at the time of the data gathering was from Aotearoa New Zealand, staff also took into consideration previous placements at the agency. The community-based NGO in Cambodia, where the placement was situated, delivers a range of community development, social work and education services. The data was gathered using an action research approach and explored the skills, knowledge and professional attributes required for working with an indigenous population. Several recommendations for higher education institutions, primarily relating to placement preparation and the important role of local placement host organisations, are outlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand, had two major earthquakes in 2010 and 2011, with thousands of aftershocks relatively close to each other. Disasters affect peoples' lives in many ways resulting in changes to family and social relationships, employment, education, and other roles in life. Often these impacts are hidden while people struggle to cope with the immediate task of survival and surface later, after the initial reactions have subsided. This study uses in-depth interviews conducted between 2018 and 2020 to explore the longer-term impact of the earthquakes on the mental health and wellbeing of a randomised sub-sample of 60 clients out of the 858 who attended for counselling at the Canterbury Charity Hospital Trust (CCHT). Self-report measures on the 36-Item Short Form health survey (SF-36v2) and the Demoralization Scale (DS-II) were completed to ascertain the participants' current social, physical, and mental health functioning. A comparison of the CCHT SF- 36v2 scores with age-specific respondents in the New Zealand 2006/07 national health survey showed that in terms of mental wellbeing the participants in this study had significantly poorer health than the national sample. The ongoing aftershocks and secondary stressors were also causing continual disruptions in their lives. Overall, these findings show that many years later the participants in this study were still recovering from the psychological impact of the earthquakes. This indicates the need for the development of longer-term mental health care strategies that can be better integrated into future disaster planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This descriptive article reports immediate responses to COVID-19 by social work field education faculty in four universities in Australia, New Zealand and the United States. Moving swiftly to online innovations, tele-supervision, teaching remote practice methods, and establishing alternative placements allowed students to meet required competencies while supporting students during the immediate crisis. Collaboration between field education faculty teams, professional bodies and agencies and clear communication with students and supervisors enabled all stakeholders to be open to flexible placement options. To conclude, COVID-19 brought opportunities to reflect on responses and explore new possibilities for field education in a post-COVID-19 world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]