Lou Taylor-Murison, Head of Apprenticeships and Experiential Learning at the Keele Institute for Innovation and Teaching Excellence (KIITE) has contributed a case study for The Quality Assurance Agency’s (QAA) work-based learning contingency planning resources.

The case study, developed with KIITE Careers and Employability colleagues Sarah Longwell and Ben Simkins, focuses on the development of shell modules as an alternative to placements. The modules present an alternative for students who have current plans for placement activity disrupted due to the pandemic, but also form a mechanism for accrediting alternatives to placements moving forward.

QAA collaborated with Sarah Flynn, Associate Director of Learning and Teaching (Workplace Learning & Degree Apprenticeships) at University of Hertfordshire and ASET - the Work based and Placement Learning Association - to develop Covid-19 guidance and exemplars to support Universities managing contingency plans for placements in the pandemic.

The focus of the Keele case study is the development of three shell placement modules to act as a contingency arrangement where placement activity becomes untenable or unviable. These modules provide an infrastructure through which to deliver and accredit short, non-professional body regulated placement activities, embedded in the curriculum.

Lou commented:

“I was delighted to be able to contribute to the work QAA is undertaking to support the sector, as it presented an opportunity to showcase our work in KIITE, in the context of changing approaches to placements from other HEIs. Other Universities have expressed the intention to explore the creation of shell modules going forward in order to capture alternative placement opportunities such as virtual internships or problem and project based work related learning.”

Read the full case study: Engaging with the workplace: Shell modules as an alternative to placement, under Contingency Planning for Placement Provision: Case Studies