Article 2024

The student experience of assessment and feedback in work-placement settings across different programs within an Irish university

International Journal of Work-Integrated Learning
Journal · Vol. 25 · Issue 4 · pp. 663-677
Abstract

Assessment and feedback remain one of the biggest challenges when designing work-integrated learning (WIL) programs. Motivated by the paucity of student-facing research, this study explores the student experiences of assessment and feedback on work-placement modules across a variety of programs within a single university. Two hundred and seventy students from different disciplines who had completed a work-placement module the previous academic year participated by contributing quantitative and qualitative data via a survey. The data reveals that, both within and across programs, participants found assessment divisive. For some, assessment supported employability and the development of key graduate attributes while others reported that the assessment process did not support learning, as it was not relevant, or distracting. The findings reveal a gap between the theory and practice of how authentic assessment is actualized across a range of work-placement modules and carry practical implications for higher education institutions striving to enhance WIL experiences. © 2024 International Journal of Work-Integrated Learning. All rights reserved.

Keywords

Author Keywords

Internship Work placement Authentic assessment Reflection/reflective practice

Index Keywords

Author Affiliations
Munster Technological University (MTU), Bishopstown, Cork, Ireland
Funding & Acknowledgements
Munster Technological University, MTU
Funding text 1: This research was funded by the Higher Education Munster Technological University.; Funding text 2: The Journal is financially supported by the Work-Integrated Learning New Zealand (WILNZ; www.wilnz.nz), and; Funding text 3: This research was funded by the Higher Education Authority Technological University Fund and Munster Technological University.
Higher Education Authority, HEA
Funding text 1: This research was funded by the Higher Education Munster Technological University.; Funding text 2: The Journal is financially supported by the Work-Integrated Learning New Zealand (WILNZ; www.wilnz.nz), and; Funding text 3: This research was funded by the Higher Education Authority Technological University Fund and Munster Technological University.
References 10 References
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Document Identifiers
  • EID 2-s2.0-105009345937
  • Language English