Practice Based Learning in Higher Education: Experiences in Turkey

1. Practice Based Learning in Higher Education: Experiences in Turkey Assoc. Prof. Dr.YıldızArıkan BahçeşehirUniversity, Faculty of Engineering WACE 9th International Conference on Cooperative and Work Integrated Education 21.06.2012, Istanbul

2. Outline • The Erasmus Multilateral Project: • Education, Practice & Research, Promoting Practice-Based Learning in the Higher Education ; Provisions for Business Administration, Engineering and Vocational Teacher Education • Practice Based Learning Workshop at Bahçeşehir University • Insights and Remarksfor a BetterPracticeBasedLearning Framework. WACE 9th International Conference on Cooperative and Work Integrated Education 21.06.2012, Istanbul

3. The Erasmus Multilateral Project • This presentationsummarizes the findings of a practice based learning workshop held at BahçeşehirUniversity with the participation of fouruniversities from Turkey. • The workshop was organized as a requirement of theproject titled: • “Euronet-PBL: Education, Practice & Research, Promoting Practice-Based Learning in the Higher Education, provisionsfor Business Administration, Engineering and Vocational Teacher Education” http://www.euronet-pbl.net. WACE 9th International Conference on Cooperative and Work Integrated and Education 21.06.2012, Istanbul

4. The Erasmus Multilateral Project • The project hadpartner universities and partner enterprises from six countries • Universityof Bremen, ITB: Germany • AkershusUniversity College: Norway, • Sabancı University: Turkey • University of Maribor: Slovenia • Universityof Limerick, EMRC: Ireland • Aalborg University : Denmark • These partners coveredthree academic domains • vocational teacher education, • economics/business administration and • engineering studies WACE 9th International Conference on Cooperative and Work Integrated and Education 21.06.2012, Istanbul

5. engineering studies / CO-OP Vocationalteacherandengineereducation economics/business administration WACE 9th International Conference on Cooperative and Work Integrated and Education 21.06.2012, Istanbul

6. The Erasmus Multilateral Project • The reason for launching the Euronet-PBL project is that • somewhat similar models have been used parallel to each other without common quality awareness. • Consequently, the European discussion of special approaches to problem-, practice- and project-based learning has been limited. • Questionsraised: • What kinds of approachesto practice-based learning are currently used and what is their role in the emerging European Higher Education Area? Can European studies and analyses contribute to common European quality awareness? • What is the role of field studiesthat involve students, companies and university representatives? Can our jointly developed methodologies and evaluation tools bring us into common discussion at the local level and across the participating regions? • What kinds of benefitscan be seen for different parties involved – students, companies and the universities? Can such benefits be assured with the help of common frameworks, guidelines and supporting tools? WACE 9th International Conference on Cooperative and Work Integrated Education 21.06.2012, Istanbul

7. The Erasmus Multilateral Project • The basic activities consisted of • case studies, • stakeholder interviews and • evaluation workshops for analyzing the functioning of practice-based learning in the local or European environment. • valorisation workshops for validating the findings and examining the transferability of the approaches to wider contexts. WACE 9th International Conference on Cooperative and Work Integrated and Education 21.06.2012, Istanbul

8. Practice Based Learning Workshop at Bahçeşehir University The workshops was to carry out the following tasks: • to validate the analyses of the development of practice-based learning in the respective country and in the respective domain; • to discuss domain-specific initiatives for further development of practice-based learning arrangements and related cooperation between universities and enterprises; • to draw conclusions for drafting common guidelines as well as country- and domain-specific recommendations. WACE 9th International Conference on Cooperative and Work Integrated and Education 21.06.2012, Istanbul

9. Practice Based Learning Workshop at Bahçeşehir University • The workshops broughttogetherfouruniversitieswithdifferentpractice-based learningmodels • Made it possibletodiscuss domain-specific initiatives for further development of practice-based learning arrangements and establishedtherootsforcooperation between universities • Made it possibleto understandthesimilaritiesanddifferencesbetweentheprogramsanddraw conclusions fordraftingrecommendationsfor a better PBL framework. WACE 9th International Conference on Cooperative and Work Integrated and Education 21.06.2012, Istanbul

10. Practice Based Learning Workshop at Bahçeşehir University • Bahçeşehir University and TOBB ETU University are • two foundation universities, employing the CO-OP model of practice based learning, which they designed to satisfy their specific needs and objectives, • DokuzEylül University, is a state owned university with a problem based learning program totally integrated into its curriculum in a number of Faculties it has. • SabanciUniversity, a foundationuniversityandtheproject partner, employed a totallyinnovativepracticeorientedapproachto MBA Education WACE 9th International Conference on Cooperative and Work Integrated and Education 21.06.2012, Istanbul

11. TOBB ETU University • TOBB ETU University was established in 2003, by the supporting organization, TOBB (Union of Chambers and Commodity Ex­changes of Turkey). • TOBB is the biggest NGO in Turkey formed by more than 1,350,000 member companies. • The objective of the University is stated as “to give students balanced theoretical knowledge and workexperience, yet retain the characteristics of a research university”. WACE 9th International Conference on Cooperative and Work Integrated and Education 21.06.2012, Istanbul

12. TOBB ETU University • CO-OP practice is a degree requirement for all students regardless of their department. • The model is based on alternative cycles of in-class academic and in-the-field practical training at sophomore, junior and senior levels. • TOBB ETU model is based on paid employment of each student by the employers during their practical terms. • The CO-OP program stipulates for a full-time class enrollment and full-time employment that are not mixed together. WACE 9th International Conference on Cooperative and Work Integrated and Education 21.06.2012, Istanbul

13. TOBB ETU University • TOBB ETU COOP model is fitted into the current four year programs. • The University had already signed COOP protocols with 650 companies and obtained 1450 year-round workplaces as of June 2010 WACE 9th International Conference on Cooperative and Work Integrated and Education 21.06.2012, Istanbul

14. DokuzEylül University • DokuzEylül University, İzmir, Turkey, was established in 1982 with three faculties, Art, Medicine and Engineering. • At present there are, • 11 Faculties • 2.985 Academic Staff & Assistants • Around40 Thousand Students WACE 9th International Conference on Cooperative and Work Integrated and Education 21.06.2012, Istanbul

15. DokuzEylül University • Practice and Problem Based Learning (PPBL) in 9 Eylül University dates back to 1997 when the Faculty of Medicine first employed it while totally abandoning its old educational model that prevailed in all other similar medical schools in Turkey. • The motivation towards PPBL in the Engineering Faculty was created by a number of factors which are listed below: • Rector’s Leadership • Influences of Faculty of Medicine • Recognition of the Biological Fundamentals of Learning • Recognition of shortcomings of the classical system • Low student attendance to classes • Industrial Needs • Desire to raise pro-active engineers • Adaptation to the Changing Environment (student-centered & constructivist approaches) WACE 9th International Conference on Cooperative and Work Integrated and Education 21.06.2012, Istanbul

16. DokuzEylül University There are Four Main features of PPBL at DokuzEylülUniversity: • Student (Learner) Centered • Team Work experience • Integration of knowledge • Based on Real Life Problems It is a Modular Based Small Group P&PBL Active Learning Model • 1'st Year: 7 Modules Each of 2 Weeks (+Project Oriented Learning) • A Module: PBL Sessions+ Lectures … • 4 th Year Project Based Learning: 3-4 Modules Each of 4 Weeks • Problem Based Learning Building Consisting of 120 Rooms! WACE 9th International Conference on Cooperative and Work Integrated and Education 21.06.2012, Istanbul

17. Knowledge creation is achieved in a sequence of three modules an example of which for Electrical and Electronics Engineering Department programis given below WACE 9th International Conference on Cooperative and Work Integrated and Education 21.06.2012, Istanbul

18. WACE 9th International Conference on Cooperative and Work Integrated and Education 21.06.2012, Istanbul

19. Bahçesehir University CO-OP Model Twogoalstoachieve: First the University intends to provide its students practical training and work place experience in companies in Turkey and abroad. • The university therefore opens its campus globally to international students and companies. WACE 9th International Conference on Cooperative and Work Integrated and Education 21.06.2012, Istanbul

20. Bahçesehir University CO-OP Model The second goal is to offer its students Branded Courses. • Givenbyexperts from CO-OP business partners undertheguidence of Bahçeşehir University academics, • Th e courseseducate students in a specific area of interest or industry need. • Branded courses are available to the students as electives, and upon the successful completion of the course the student is awarded with a certificate. WACE 9th International Conference on Cooperative and Work Integrated and Education 21.06.2012, Istanbul

21. Sample Branded courses : • IBM, “Service Oriented Architecture” • Schneider Electric, “Energy Efficiency and Savings” • Alcatel Lucent , “Telecommunication Technologies” • Microsoft, “ Microsoft C# Laboratory” • Mercedes Benz, “Materials and Distribution Management” WACE 9th International Conference on Cooperative and Work Integrated and Education 21.06.2012, Istanbul

22. Bahçesehir University CO-OP Model: • Bahçeşehir University CO-OP model is a flexible and noncompulsory model. • the length and timing of the work training is determined according to the desires of the student and thepartner institution. • the students may fulfill their minimum of 30 days of practical training on weekends or during the summer, or without interruption in 3-6- or 9-month periods at the partner institutions. WACE 9th International Conference on Cooperative and Work Integrated and Education 21.06.2012, Istanbul

23. SabanciUniversity: Theproject PartnerCompany Action Projects(CAP) • “A Truly Practice Driven Approach” • An innovative model of experiential learning! • Practical and action oriented project engagement undertaken by a team of MBA students. • Learning while doing pedagogy . • Radical example of University- Industry partnering relationship, realized through a real life project WACE 9th International Conference on Cooperative and Work Integrated and Education 21.06.2012, Istanbul

24. SabanciUniversity • CAP bringstogether managers and students to formulate and solve problems with significant importance to companies • Teams of students are placed into the companies for a whole academic year for two days a week • Successful results and great benefits to both companies and students WACE 9th International Conference on Cooperative and Work Integrated and Education 21.06.2012, Istanbul

25. SabanciUniversity • “CAP” is not a requirement of a course, courses match the requirements of CAP ! • Integration of the MBA curriculum is achieved by CAP Process. • Within CAP Process • Practice Development and Sharing courses and • Just-in Time Seminars altogether support learning and project management

26. WACE 9th International Conference on Cooperative and Work Integrated and Education 21.06.2012, Istanbul

27. WACE 9th International Conference on Cooperative and Work Integrated and Education 21.06.2012, Istanbul

28. Insights and Remarksfor a BetterPracticeBasedLearning Framework. • Behind both TOBB-ETU and Bahçeşehir University CO-OP programs, there lies a very well organized structure and well run office to manage this large scale organizational project involving large number of students and partners as well as academia. • Furthermore, the above mentioned two universities provide evidence that the CO-OP office carries out self assessment surveys for the improvement of the programs. WACE 9th International Conference on Cooperative and Work Integrated and Education 21.06.2012, Istanbul

29. Insights and Remarksfor a BetterPracticeBasedLearning Framework • In Bahçeşehir University CO-OP education is not compulsory but this does not mean that the students do graduate from the university without going through a practical training program of any sort. • In the Engineering Faculty, every student has to fulfill the requirements of a so called “Capstone Project”, • an individual student project which lasts two semesters in the fourth year before graduation and • is on a subject with practical implementation aspects as well as theoretical knowledge building or enhancement. WACE 9th International Conference on Cooperative and Work Integrated and Education 21.06.2012, Istanbul

30. Insights and Remarksfor a BetterPracticeBasedLearning Framework • DokuzEylül University PPBL Program is a total revolution to conventional well developed programs but it has features, which makes it very demanding to implement. • It demands on the professors to create problems or cases for each subject to be learned, and each case should be unique and utilized only by one of the teams to learn that subject. • It needs adequate physical capacity to accommodate teams and patience and creativity from the professors. • Sabanci University’s CAP model is in a way similar to the DEÜ model in the sense that practical work, practice based learning is embedded into many aspects of the MBA program. WACE 9th International Conference on Cooperative and Work Integrated and Education 21.06.2012, Istanbul

31. Insights and Remarksfor a BetterPracticeBasedLearning Framework • Comparing with DEÜ complex model, the other models of PBL are only complementary to the existing conventional programs. • The above statement does not bring the credibility of such programs down. • For instance TOBB-ETU COOP model has a special feature because it was designed by givinggreat consideration tothe needs of BusinessCommunityand each year, creates graduates, whoarewelleducatedandhighlyaware of theneeds of theindustry. WACE 9th International Conference on Cooperative and Work Integrated and Education 21.06.2012, Istanbul

32. Insights and Remarksfor a BetterPracticeBasedLearning Framework. • Thefouruniversitiesdiscussed here allhavesuccessful PBL Programs. Howeverthis set of Universities is not exhaustive. • There are many other universities which employ some degree of practical work as part of their higher education program, depending upon the subject of education. • A compulsory Internship requirement to graduate in the engineering education • the training requirementsin medicine, dentistry and Law education are not counted. WACE 9th International Conference on Cooperative and Work Integrated and Education 21.06.2012, Istanbul

33. Final Word • Furthercollaboration of Turkishuniversitiesforsharingandlearningfromeachother’spractices can createmuchbenefittoallpartiesinvolved. • Developing a similarassesmenttoolwhichmakesuse of criteriajointlydeterminedbytheparticipatinguniversitiesmayservetheobjectives • BahcesehirUniversity CO-OP Organisation can takethelead. WACE 9th International Conference on Cooperative and Work Integrated and Education 21.06.2012, Istanbul

34. WACE 9th International Conference on Cooperative and Work Integrated and Education 21.06.2012, Istanbul THANK YOU