Integrating work knowledge within the curriculum

Director of Foundation Direct at the University of Portsmouth, Mr Frank Lyons.

Mr Lyons presented a lunchtime lecture on ‘Integrating work knowledge within the curriculum'.

Universities need to re-think their relationship with the workplace and acknowledge that working knowledge is trans-disciplinary, messy, complex and often contested, according to USQ visiting scholar, Frank Lyons.

As the Director of Foundation Direct at the University of Portsmouth in the United Kingdom (UK), Frank Lyons is a pioneer in work-based learning and was the recipient of a prestigious National Teaching Fellowship in 2003 for his work on a "Learning at Work" programme, where students who are in full-time employment design and manage their own degrees through learning contracts. This scheme was the first of its kind when established in 1990.

"This programme involved work-based learning for people who perhaps wouldn't otherwise go to university.

"They have been wonderful and often inspirational learners. And the learning contract approach has also appealed to employers who want to upskill their employees and benefit their companies when their employees get involved in commercial and strategic developments that are commercially beneficial and transfer knowledge into the workplace".

"For example, one company approached us with a bright employee who they wanted to promote to the role of an international marketing manager and we were able to work with the learner and the company to develop a suitable learning programme.

"Working on the Learning at Work programme led to other areas of development, like how to give these work-based learners the best support, how to accredit prior learning and how to quality assure the developing processes."

His National Teaching Fellowship project, worth £50,000, focussed on Foundation degrees (UK's version of the associate degree) that were launched in 2001. This project involved developing and evaluating support for Early Years educators.

This Fellowship project soon evolved into a £4.5 million pound national project focusing on developing support for learners who are enrolled all of the University of Portsmouth's Foundation degrees.

"We have developed a Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning and one of our major roles is to research what works and what doesn't work in relation to work-based learning and disseminate good practice within the Higher Education sector."

Frank Lyons has also provided consultation to many UK universities enabling them to establish their own work-based schemes and is recognised internationally through conference papers in Australia, Thailand, South Africa and the USQ. 

Based on his experience, Mr Lyons believes universities need to re-think their relationship with the workplace.

"Work-based learning used to be about applying knowledge learnt at the University to the workplace, but universities need to recognise that learning also emerges out of the complex, messy and difficult situation at work that is equally valuable work knowledge, this emergent knowledge is often difficult to assess. Hence we need new measures for understanding and assessing what takes place there.

"We also need new curricula tailored for employees looking to gain new skills and qualifications. Such curricula need to acknowledge the conflicting demands placed on ‘learner workers' by providing help with time management, giving confidence, providing flexible learning modes and helping these students to think in new ways – encouraging them to use theoretical approaches as well as thinking outside the box."

During his two-week visit to the University's three campuses, Frank Lyons has been discussing the integration of work knowledge within the curriculum.

During his visit he also met various stakeholders including Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Global Learning Services Professor Jim Taylor, Tertiary Preparation Program Coordinator David Bull, Careers & Employment Manager Peter McIlveen and Madeline Fisher. Frank also met with Professor Ken Stott and the work-based learning team at Hervey Bay and Doug Fraser and the team at Springfield.

He also led an informal discussion with LTSU on the ‘Promotion of Quality Teaching', presented a lunchtime lecture on ‘Integrating work knowledge within the curriculum' and conducted and conducted interviews on Personal Development Planning and Employer Engagement to Promote Student Learning.

Frank said there is a lot of enthusiasm for change at USQ and a willingness to embrace new ideas.

"Many staff I have spoken to feel encouraged to know that the things they are doing here are best practice worldwide – some staff have felt a validation that what they are doing is right.

"From a personal perspective I have also benefited from learning about the University's distance education model and Outreach Centre. I look forward to continuing the relationship".

Media Contact: Amy Cass, USQ Media +61 7 4631 2092