Designable elements of integrative learning environments at the boundary of school and work

Authors Erica Bouw, Ilya Zitter, Elly de Bruijn
Published in Learning Environments Research
Publication date September 2020
Research groups Vocational Education
Type Article

Summary

Learning environment designs at the boundary of school and work can be characterised as integrative because they integrate features from the contexts of school and work. Many different manifestations of such integrative learning environments are found in current vocational education, both in senior secondary education and higher professional education. However, limited research has focused on how to design these learning environments and not much is known about their designable elements (i.e. the epistemic, spatial, instrumental, temporal and social elements that constitute the learning environments). The purpose of this study was to examine manifestations of two categories of integrative learning environment designs: designs based on incorporation; and designs based on hybridisation. Cross-case analysis of six cases in senior secondary vocational education and higher professional education in the Netherlands led to insights into the designable elements of both categories of designs. We report findings about the epistemic, spatial, instrumental, temporal and social elements of the studied cases. Specific characteristics of designs based on incorporation and designs based on hybridisation were identified and links between the designable elements became apparent, thus contributing to a deeper understanding of the design of learning environments that aim to connect the contexts of school and work.

On this publication contributed

  • Erica Bouw
    • Researcher
    • Research group: Vocational Education
  • Ilya Zitter
    Ilya Zitter
    • Professor
    • Research group: Vocational Education
  • Elly de Bruijn | Professor | Research group Vocational Education
    Elly de Bruijn
    • Professor
    • Research group: Vocational Education

Language English
Published in Learning Environments Research
Key words curriculum design, Activity Centred Analysis and Design (ACAD) model, designable elements, integrative learning environments, multiple case study, school-work boundary, vocational education, professional education
Digital Object Identifier 10.1007/s10984-020-09338-7

Erica Bouw

Erica Bouw

  • Researcher
  • Research group: Vocational Education