The Work-Integrated Learning Department (WILD) | Academic Newsletter | Seneca Polytechnic

by Jennifer Graham, Academic Learning Services

in the Fall 2017 issue

The department formerly known as the Co-operative Education Department has a new name. We are now called the Work-Integrated Learning department, or WILD for short. Work-integrated learning (WIL) is an umbrella term that describes learning experiences where the site of the learning occurs either in the workplace or in an environment that closely replicates it. The WILD looks after WIL experiences that involve full-time positions in a relevant work setting. Additional criteria include:

• that the work is intentionally linked to the curriculum with a clear purpose for the work experience,
• that the learning outcomes and the related evaluation for the work experience are clearly stated,
• that the student engages in a meaningful reflection on the work experience and what they learned.

To better align with a variety of Ministry and industry standards, we are now offering programs with co-op or work-term streams. Although similar, work terms offer greater flexibility in both the minimum and maximum number of hours allowed and the placement of the work experience within the program.

In consultation with the academic areas, all programs that were formerly known as co-op were reviewed and categorized based on their attributes. Some remained co-ops and others became work terms. To further differentiate these programs, each of the categories was further divided to include:

• Optional Co-op
• Optional Work Term
• Mandatory Work Term
• Mandatory Degree Work Term
• Mandatory Degree Co-op

Definitions, and programs in each category can be found at: https://www.senecacollege.ca/programs/co-op-work-experience.html.

New course codes are listed on the 2017/2018 curriculum map, found on the unique program pages.

It is important to note that both co-op and work term experiences represent a delivery mode, not a credential type. As such, for those students that participate in the co-op or work term experience, the associated courses and grades achieved will be reflected on the official transcript.

Our WIL Coordinators will continue to support both co-op and work-term-based programs. We look forward to ongoing success in collaborating with each academic school to offer students and industry partners access to the many benefits of co-ops and work terms. With our more flexible options, we now have the capacity to incorporate WIL into more programs. Please contact Elaine Fenner, Manager WIL, at elaine.fenner@senecacollge.ca with any questions.

View the Fall 2017 issue of the Academic Newsletter.