Abstract
At Western Sydney University, the Computing Program Director (School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics), together with the University’s Information Technology and Digital Services team members, (ITDS team) have, through partnerships implemented Work Integrated Learning (WIL) engagements for the second-year Bachelor of Information Systems unit students. Successful implementation, required the Computing Director and ITDS team to carefully review tasks which students could undertake and ensure that set activities met the unit assessment learning outcomes, whilst also complying with accrediting body requirements.
As a component of the WIL engagements, students worked with the industry experts on the implementation of the new Student Management System (SMS). This project allowed students to better understand the theoretical components of the unit and directly apply the knowledge gained to real-life industry assignments. As a part of the engagement, the ITDS team also received students’ input towards the new SMS implementation. This further aligns with the University’s strategy of Student - Centeredness, which strongly supports student engagements in all new University initiatives.
This innovative co-creation has benefited all involved: students, academics and the ITDS staff. The engagement has been recognised as cutting-edge not only by the University, but also by the SMS project vendor, Ellucian.
Keywords
Industry-academia partnerships, Work Integrated Learning (WIL), curriculum co-creation, Student - Centeredness