Upcoming issue: Challenges and Perspectives on Work Integrated Learning Competence

In our upcoming theme issue of the journal Education & Learning we highlight contributions that deal with results and insights from research on Work Integrated learning (WIL). WIL, or Co-operative Education is a program that formally integrates academic studies with work experience in participating employer organizations. 

In order to increase the understanding and development of work integrated learning, we invite researching colleagues to communicate their approaches, results and insights derived from different studies. WIL is concerned with Higher Education learning experiences that seek to combine and integrate - to varying degrees - academic studies, working life, formal and informal aspects of learning and social interaction in institutional, work related and to some extent virtual learning environments. The integration of learning involved in these different contexts can be seen as crucial for the achievement of learning outcomes for any Higher Education program, as well as for the development of the learners themselves and their professional identities. The ways in which academic studies, working experiences and other social/experiential contexts are combined, together with the levels of engagement and participation in work related situations and the levels of integration and connectivity, offer wide opportunities for learning. Even though there are common ideals of WIL to integrate learning in academic and work related environments there are many varieties and differences within in the realm of WIL is interpreted and implemented in both philosophical and curriculum oriented registers, which opens up for manifold challenges in these learning environments.

In order to deepen the scope of research in this research field, and to contribute to development of educational arenas that in different ways are interested in work integrated elements in Higher Education, we have invited researchers and practitioners to communicate their approaches, insights and results on the theme Challenges and perspectives on Work integrated learning. In relation to this theme issue a conference has been held at the University of Skövde on December 8-9, 2011.

The published articles have been handled in accordance with current peer review process, and will be published in the following theme issue of Education & Learning.

Ph D. Jörgen Dimenäs is Guest editor for this upcoming theme issue 'Challenges and perspectives on Work Integrated learning'. Jörgen works as a lecturer at the University of Skövde and at the University of Borås. He is also a member of the Swedish national network of Work integrated learning, VILÄR. If you have any questions regarding the content of this theme issue, please contact Jörgen Dimenäs: jorgen.dimenas@his.se