Chapter 3: University Teaching and Learning The following section outlines key concepts that emerged during the project and on which some of the training workshops were focussed. 3.1. Work Integrated Education Work-integrated learning (WIL) aims to provide students with opportunities to apply aspects of their academic learning to the world of work such as the traditional work experience programmes. Within Work Integrated Education (WIE), the opportunities are created for a similar experiential learning experience where the work relevant experience and learning is developed within the classroom and fed back into their academic studies in order to create a holistic learning experience with an emphasis on developing work readiness upon the completion of their studies. Through WIE, students are given the opportunity to engage in experiential learning and gain industry exposure and engagement. This approach to education is career-focused and includes classroom and workplace-based learning for the mutual benefit of the student and the industry partner. A key advantage of this approach is that WIE focuses on the integration of academic learning with the workplace. This enhances student learning outcomes and encourages new innovative curriculum developments, addressing graduate readiness and employability concerns to the specific context of the local employability issues. Moreover, it ensures that the students and employers maximize their gains from engaging in WIE. Within the South African context, WIE offers many benefits for teaching and learning including the following: 20
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