A School-Industry Partnership: Authentic Learning and Engagement

• In Event: Partnerships for School Improvement: A Synthesis of Research and Opportunities for Future Research

Abstract

Purpose
Educators realize the importance of partnership with external organizations that bring additional resources to schools including nontraditional resources of time, mock interviews, and real world opportunities.1 Decades ago, partnerships were hailed as one of the best resources available to impact the quality of education.2 Researchers continue to see partnerships as a wise investment not only for the schools, but also for developing the future workforce.3, 4
The purpose of this symposium-session is to report on a partnership that provided authentic learning opportunities to high school students engaging them in real-world application of soft skills and classroom lessons. The employees shared their experience and/or work skills with students in authentic ways that aided students in making the connection between the classroom and real world.

Theoretical framework
The core team, two-business partners and one-school leader, used the constructs from the theory of change to identify changes and goals that were desired, plan the steps for achieving the changes, and then develop a plan of action to guide goals realization. Both organizations committed to working together to extend the structure of classrooms by implementing authentic learning experiences to support the taught curriculum.

Methods
A qualitative case study was used. This session will report on only the observations and interviews that were conducted in order to provide a clear, concise description of the authentic learning that changed the teaching and learning at the school. The observations were lengthy (about 83 minutes) -a block period. Sometimes the events occurred over two-three blocks within a school day. Interviews were scheduled to last 90 minutes. The interviewees included business partners, teachers, and administrators.

Data
The observation notes and interviews were transcribed, coded, and then categorized into themes. Data sources and methods were triangulated providing contextual credibility for the study.5

Conclusions
The purpose of education is to prepare students for life.4 College and career are important ports of call within that plan. Learning is driven by the power of connectivity –changing learning through purposeful, well-planned partnerships is optimal. Authentic learning opportunities provided by the business partners infused regular lessons with purpose and novelty. The partnership studied opened a world of possibilities for the teachers and business partners, to demonstrate the value of classroom learning and connect student interests to real world experiences. The partnership encouraged active learners who saw school as a place they wanted to be. Some of the opportunities that will be discussed in this session are field trips; mock interviews; grant writing workshops; networking luncheons at which business partners, city government officials, teachers and students apply many skills; Excel ‘tips and tricks’ presentations by business office employees; beginning/end of year motivational presentations; marketing presentations, a branding presentations, and a regional robotics competition.

Significance
Findings will interest educational leaders seeking to assure relevancy in school learning and student success. It should have practical value for business personnel seeking to assure a well-trained future workforce and their role in attaining it. The study also holds significance to those who seek to develop successful school-industry partnerships.

Author

• Dana M. Griggs, Columbus State University