Journal Screenshot

International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development

Open Access Journal

ISSN: 2226-6348

An Australian Case Study: Working Students and the Decision-Making Process in Real-Life Learning

Robert Gill

Open access

This study is seeking to gain an enhanced understanding of influences that work is having on full-time students in relation to their ability to problem solve at a higher order using abstract theory, as opposed to relying on concrete experience. The majority of Australian tertiary students works while studying full-time to supplement their finances, but is this coming at a cost to their academic achievement? The case study presented reviews the results of third-year students who completed an events management unit that included real-life learning experiences. Actual learning for the students involved planning and conducting an event.

Bennett, N., Dunne, E., & Carre`, C. (1999). Patterns of core generic skill provision in higher education. Higher Education, 37, 71-93.
Boddy, D. (1981). Putting Action Learning into Action. Journal of European Industrial Training/ Human Resource Development, 5 (5), 1-20.
Briffett, C. (2001). Real-life Learning. CDTLink, 5 (2), 4-5.
Cerbin, W. (2000) Learning with Teaching for Understanding. Background Paper Prepared for the Wisconsin Teaching Fellows Summer Institute July 24-August 3. Retrieved February 5, 2010, from http://frontpage.uwsuper.edu/Scholars/present.pdf
Cumming, J., & Maxwell, G. (1999). Contextualising Authentic Assessment. Assessment in Education: Principles, Policies and Practices, 6 (2), 177-194.
Dalgarno, B. (2001). Interpretations of Constructivism and the Consequences for Computer Assisted Learning. British Journal of Educational Technology, 32 (2), 183-194.
Green, J. (1998). Andragogy: Teaching Adults. In B. Hoffman (Ed.), Encyclopaedia of Educational Technology. Retrieved September 25, 2008, from
http://coe.sdsu.edu/eet/Articles/andragogy/start.htm
Harmer, B. M. (2009). Teaching in a contextual vacuum: lack of prior workplace knowledge as a barrier to sensemaking in the learning and teaching of business courses. Innovation in Education and Teaching International, 46 (1), 41-50.
Herrington, J. (2006). Authentic e-learning in higher education: Design principles for authentic learning environments and tasks. Proceedings of the World Conference – e-learning in Corporate, Government, Health Care and Higher Education. Vancouver
Knowles, M. (1984). Andragogy in Action. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Lebow, D., & Wagner, W. W. (1994). Authentic Activity as a Model for Appropriate learning Activity: Implications for emerging instructional technologies. Canadian Journal of Educational Communication, 23 (3), 133-144.
Manthei, R. J., & Gilmore, A. (2005). The Effect of Paid Employment on University Students’ Lives. Journal of Education and Training, 47(3), 202-215.
McInnis, C. (2001). Signs of Disengagement. The Changing Undergraduate Experience in Australian Universities. Education Resource Information Centre, US Department of Education. Retrieved February 5, 2010, from http; eric.edu.gov/ERICWEBPORTER
Mohan, T., McGregor, H., Saunders, S., & Archee, R. (2008). Communicating as Professionals. Melbourne: Thomson.
Murray, B. (2000). Learning Strategies: Learning from real life. Monitor Staff, 31 (1), 72-74.
Newman, F. M., & Archbald, D. A. (1992). The Nature of Authentic Academic Achievement. In H. Berlack, F.M. Newman, E. Adams, D.A. Archbald, T. Burgess, J. Raven and T.A. Romberg (Eds.), Towards a New Science of Educational Testing and Assessment. New York: Suny Press.
Richardson, M., Evans, C., & Gbadamosi, G. (2009). Funding Full-time Study through Part-Time Work. Journal of Education and Work, 22 (4), 319-334.
Tatnall, A. (2005). In Real-Life Learning, What is Meant by Real? In T. van Weert and A. Tatnall (Eds.), Information and Communication Technologies in Real-Life Learning (pp143-150). Boston: Springer.
Vygotsky, P. J. (1962). Thought and Language. Cambridge MA: MIT Press.

In-Text Citation: (Gill, 2012)
To Cite this Article: Gill, R. (2012). An Australian Case Study: Working Students and the Decision-Making Process in Real-Life Learning. International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development, 1(3), 75–89.