The internship program at Cal Poly Pomona is based on Piaget's theory of intellectual development, enabling students to move from concrete to formal thought. Components include meetings with teacher/coordinators, establishment of learning objectives, group meetings, employer visits and evaluations, daily logs, and self-evaluative reports. (SK)

The areas of business, education, trade unions, and government must cooperate to develop effective solutions to economic problems. A collaborative system should relate education, training, and work strategies that incorporate productive employment in the education process. (SK)

Training mentors perform critical roles for cooperative education students: induction, performance evaluation, and career counseling. Mentors should be sincerely interested in working with students, understand co-op, be able to motivate, be competent, and have good interpersonal skills. (SK)

Results of a national survey of 285 cooperative education directors from postsecondary institutions indicate that strategic planning in cooperative education is not widely used and somewhat unsophisticated. Results also indicate that strategic planning may be associated with positive program outcomes. (CH)

Results of a study of over 1,000 experience-based career education students suggest six ways experiential education staff can improve the learning potential of community experiences. These involve giving the students challenge, responsibility, freedom to explore, hands-on learning, a good relationship with individuals at the work site, and…

Describes the history and current status of sandwich courses offered by all polytechnics and many colleges and universities in the United Kingdom--in which periods of full-time, academically related employment alternate with periods of formal coursework. Topics include responsibilities for placement, pay, assessment, and international placements.…

More than half of students in higher education in the Netherlands are following work-integrated programs in professional education (applied arts and sciences). Spectacular growth in professional training institutes has occurred because of their responsiveness to employer needs and the demand for greater flexibility and worker retraining. (SK)

The name of the work-integrated education program, its learning objectives, and other program characteristics were gathered from 18 colleges/universities and 2 community colleges. Three-quarters use internship, practicum, or co-op. Factor analysis grouped objectives as cognitive, communication, job seeking, personal development, career…

Discusses the problems and benefits of cooperative education programs at the graduate level. Cooperative education is presented as a necessity given the current level of full-time student attrition, but the point is made that cooperative education must be supported by employer, institution, and student. (CH)

Employers' perceptions of cooperative work experience programs on the secondary and postsecondary levels differ in emphasis as well as structure. Employers in postsecondary programs tend to derive more economic benefits. Both groups find co-op a good recruitment tool. (SK)

Identifies the constructive elements of learning and teaching that can be employed in cooperative education programs. Work experience can enhance student motivation and confidence; help clarify goals; and provide reinforcement, rewards, and opportunities for practicing desired learning behaviors. (SK)

In a survey of 303 cooperative engineering students, those in higher grade levels experienced more career growth from their latest co-op job. Few differences between third- and fourth-year students suggest that students benefit most from their first three co-op quarters. (SK)

A study of 353 college students compared effects of structured and nonstructured forms of work on career and school goals, attitudes toward work, and work-related values. Results indicate that working during college seems to relate to attitudes toward work, education, and student life. (CH)

A sample of 160 faculty members was surveyed to explore the current state of cooperative education programs in marketing. Results are examined and cover such elements as academic credit for student cooperative experiences, program administration, employer participation in cooperative programs, and faculty involvement. (CT)

A study of 195 agriculture graduates (133 males, 103 work-experience participants) showed that completion of one or more work terms significantly increased starting salaries. Males received over $4,000 more in starting salary. Grade point average and employment history were not significant predictors of salary. (SK)