Student feedback on experiential learning (gathered by ECSU)

Student feedback on experiential learning (gathered by ECSU)

by klundteigen -
Number of replies: 0

(This feedback was gathered by ECSU at two sessions that included ECSU board directors, student representatives on University Committees, Graduate students, and Foundation year and other students. Including it here verbatim.) KL

"Students would like to see more courses with topics like “New Craft” and the ability to learn through non-academic work. They appreciate courses like the Landmarks CCID, which is a ‘dissent’ perspective or learning that is in response to current events or site-specific work. 

They also spoke about the need for clarification regarding special projects in courses that are designed for the University.  There should be an opt-in/out option for students who are being asked to produce free materials for ECU in order to receive a grade for their course.

We would like to see the University develop a transparent and ethical framework for student participation and rights for their Co-Ops with outside companies and organizations, such as a MOU. Another issue brought up by students is that there are grey areas surrounding students’ rights and ownership of materials created for a course. A prime example is in Health Labs, where an assignment is mandatory for course credit but is essentially free labour for the company involved. Once the project is chosen, students lose ownership of their materials and cannot use it in their own future professional work. Again, there should be an option for students to opt-in/out. Because students would agree to almost anything for experience, it is up to the University to set students up for future success, rather than exploitation.

There was hearty agreement amongst students that they appreciate the opportunities to collaborate and produce competitive work for these organizations in their courses. However, this does not set them up for success in their future professional practice, where they will have to navigate issues of compensation and ownership. To put it plainly, exposure is wonderful but one cannot pay rent with “exposure.” "

 

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