Working Learners: Challenges and Opportunities for Theory, Research, and Practice

Session Type: Symposium

Abstract

Individuals who are simultaneously engaged in both working for pay and learning in formal educational settings (i.e., working learners), make up the majority of post-secondary students today. Although these working learners may be uniquely positioned in terms of both potential risk and reward, this population often escapes the attention of researchers of both education and the workplace. Preliminary research suggests that creating clear linkages between the learning that occurs in the traditional educational setting and workplace learning can lead to education and career success. The objective of this session is to dive into recent theory, research and practice around working learners to help articulate these linkages to a broader audience.

Sub Unit

• SIG-Workplace Learning

Chair

• Tobin Kyte, ACT Foundation

Papers

• Informal Learning: Beyond the Formal Educational Setting - Michelle Van Noy, Rutgers University - New Brunswick/Piscataway

• Doubling Up: Analyzing the Educational and Employment Trajectories of High School Longitudinal Study Youth - Sarah Blanchard, The University of Texas

• Work/Learning Balance: Is It Possible for Students? - Mary LeFebvre, ACT, Inc.

• Increasing Student Success Through Integrating Program of Study Instructional and Work Experiences - Daniel Ash, Jefferson Community and Technical College