Management Information System for Work Integrated Learning at Tertiary Institutions in South Africa

1
Management Information System for Work Integrated
Learning at Tertiary Institutions in South Africa

• Dr Aneen Koch

2
Setting the Parameters

• No efficient MIS for CE based on web-technology
  currently exists in SA
• Objective To develop a scientifically-establishe
  d model which will comply to SA CE environment
• Present needs of CE practitioners in SA
  existing MIS for CE internationally research
  objectives were addressed

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Co-operative Education as Practiced
Internationally

• Experiential learning periods are integral part
  of the academic programme
• Students must maintain specified standards in EL
• EL is full-time
• EL is 30-50 of the total time spent in the
  academic programme
• EL is always a learning phase while working
• EL is a open-market situation
• Students receive remuneration at market rates
• Students are supervised during EL
• EL is always course specific
• EL is always monitored by academic institution
• Academic staff evaluate EL of each student at
  company

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OBJECTIVES OF CO-OP MIS IN SA

• Institution should not only manage the placement
  of students with participating employers
• BUT also the learning activities in
• which are involved in during EL
• BUT also keeping record of the results
• obtained in all projects and activities of
• the student

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ANALYSE THE MIS FOR CE SITUATION IN SA

• Conduct an analysis of strengths, weaknesses,
  opportunities and threats for CE in SA with
  specific focus on the influences of MIS
• Consult extensively with staff, students and with
  others involved
• Design a conceptual model to manage CE for the
  local market

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Untested Perceptions National and International
CEL

• Maximising the potential of Intranets
• CE today, predict the future of distance
  education
• CE professionals believe a more eclectic approach
  is needed to deliver instruction, projects,
  assessment and tracks a learners progress at a
  distance
• CE professionals need to look at future and use
  virtual technology for delivery , teaching,
  learning feedback
• Prepare learners with technological skills

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Operating Management Information System for CE in
SA

• Web-based intranet system. The system can be
  used as a stand-alone system over a local area
  network (LAN) by many users, and over the Web
• Accessible to all role players (employers,
  students, CEL), but only read only facility
• Students use student numbers to access, but read
  only facility
• Automatic logging of use and users
• Upon registration, students are assigned to
  specific CEL
• Students can pass information on to appropriate
  CEL
• Students can view placement opportunities
• Employers and students can rank their EL
  opportunities for use of CEL
• System can select its own best match of employer
  and student
• Students/employers can track progress of
  placement process
• Standard communication tool

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Relative Importance of Items Relating to
StudentsUniversities of TechnologySample Size
73 Respondents

• List of students applying to be placed
• List of students applying to be placed, but do
  not qualify
• List of students qualifying to be placed
• List of students referred for placement
• List of students placed by a company
• List of students registered after placement
• List of students placed, but not registered by
  company
• List of students and dates visited by
  co-ordinator
• List of students progress and final marks
• Report on student history of all aspects of EL

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Relative Importance of Items Relating to
EmployersUniversities of TechnologySample Size
73 Respondents

• List and history of participating companies
• List of active companies
• Contact persons
• List of companies and dates visited
• List of students referred to a company
• Main activities of a company
• Variety of placement positions within a company,
  in different courses
• Accessibility of a company (road/taxi/rail)
• Accommodation near the company

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Relative Importance of Items Relating to Short
CoursesUniversities of TechnologySample Size
73 Respondents

• Introduction to CE
• Policies and procedures of the On-line Placement
  System
• Communication channels
• Self-assessment and placement preferences
• Compiling CV/Resume
• Professional conduct
• Interviewing skills
• Work ethics
• Career exploration/mobility
• Workplace experience

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Elements of the Management Information System for
Co-operative Education JOINT SECTOR
ACADEMIC INSTITUTION
Student Sector
Academic Sector
SUPPORT SYSTEMS (Administration, Research,
Finances, Maintenance, Marketing, HR, Buying,
Staff Development, etc.)
MANAGEMENT
Management Information System for CE
Employer Sector
INTEGRATED TERTIARY SOFTWARE
Illustrates how the MIS for CE links to the
ACADEMIC SECTOR of the academic institution.
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Elements of the Management Information System for
Co-operative Education ACADEMIC SECTOR
ACADEMIC SECTOR
Student Sector
Staff
Lecturers Laboratory Staff Administrative Staff
Management Information System for CE
Facilities
Faculties
COURSES
Employer Sector
Experiential Learning
Subjects
Chalk-and-talk
Demos
Laboratory
Illustrates how the MIS for CE links to the
STUDENT SECTOR of the academic institution.
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Elements of the Management Information System for
Co-operative Education STUDENT SECTOR
STUDENT SECTOR
Status (Qualified for EL)
Faculty
Preparation (Short Courses)
Courses
Subjects (Academic, Laboratory, Practicums)
Placement Process (Sort Options)
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
Monitored (Sort Options)
Employer Sector
Assessment
Illustrates how the MIS for CE links to the
EMPLOYER SECTOR of the academic institution.
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Elements of the Management Information System for
Co-operative Education EMPLOYER SECTION
Management Information System for CE
Demographics (Sort Options)
Faculty
Courses
Statistics (Students, Courses, When, Where, etc.)
EMPLOYER SECTOR
Contact Persons
EL Staff
Placement Process
Registration
Student Placement Process
Monitoring
Contact Persons
Summarise and illustrates how the MIS for CE
links to the ACADEMIC, STUDENT and EMPLOYER
SECTOR of the academic institution.
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Future of Co-operative Education

• Labour market needs should be determined and
  continuously updated
• Competencies and skills required, level,
  industries/commerce, geographic areas and
  upgradeability of competencies to assure lifelong
  employability
• The theories as well as the application thereof
  through the utilization (or development of)
  cutting edge technologies
• Student (also prospective) population should be
  determined and continuously updated
• Needs and preferences to be established also the
  demographics, recognition of prior learning,
  skills, attitudes and personalities
• Education and training needs the scope thereof
  the demographics extent thereof and the
  efficiency thereof