Skip to main content
Log in

Pedagogical perspectives on the relationships between higher education and working life

  • Published:
Higher Education Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The relationship between higher educationinstitutions and their environment has changedmarkedly during the last two decades.Massification and diversification of the highereducation system, economic globalisation, novelmodes of knowledge production, new professionalrequirements and the establishment of newvocational higher education systems in manycountries have challenged higher educationinstitutions to develop new forms ofcollaboration with working life. The newsituation also challenges higher education todevelop pedagogical and educational thinkingand practices. The purpose of this article isto examine the pedagogical aspects of theincreasing interaction and collaboration thatis taking place between higher education andworking life and to outline what kind ofchallenges it poses for research on highereducation. It is emphasised that from thepedagogical viewpoint integration betweentheory and practice in work-based learning isessential. Our general conclusion is that therelationship between higher education andworking life should be examined at least fromfour different perspectives: (1) from theviewpoint of student learning and thedevelopment of expertise, (2) from the viewpointof educational institutions and staff, (3) fromthe viewpoint of working life organisations andemployers, and (4) from the viewpoint of societyand the system of education.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ahola, S. and Silvennoinen, H. (1999). 'Towards new understanding of school-to-work transi-tions', in Kivinen, O., Silvennoinen, H. and Puustelli, P. (eds.), Work-based Learning. Prospects and Challenges. Helsinki: Ministry of Education, pp. 36–54

    Google Scholar 

  • Albanese, M.A. and Mitchell, S. (1993). 'Problem-based learning: A review of literature on its outcomes and implementation issues', Academic Medicine68, 52–81.

    Google Scholar 

  • Allan, J. (1996). 'Learning outcomes in higher education', Studies in Higher Education21, 93–108.

    Google Scholar 

  • Argyris, C. and Schön, D.A. (1996). Organizational Learning II: Theory, Method and Practice. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Arnold, J. (1985). 'Tales of the unexpected: Surprises experienced by graduates in the early months of employment', British Journal of Guidance and Counselling13, 308–319.

    Google Scholar 

  • Atkins, M. (1995). 'What should we be assessing?', in Knight, P. (ed.), Assessment for Learning in Higher Education. London: Kogan Page, pp. 25–33.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bargh, C., Scott, P. and Smith, D. (1996). Governing Universities. Changing the Culture? Bury St Edmunds: SRHE and Open University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bauer, M., Askling, B., Gerard Marton, S. and Marton, F. (1999). Transforming Universities. Changing Patterns of Governance, Structure and Learning in Swedish Higher Education. London: Jessica Kingsley. Higher Education Policy Series 48.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bereiter, C. and Scardamalia, M. (1993). Surpassing Ourselves: An Inquiry into the Nature of Expertise. Chicago: Open Court.

    Google Scholar 

  • Biggs, J. (1987). Student Approaches to Learning and Studying. Melbourne: Australian Council for Educational Research.

    Google Scholar 

  • Biggs, J. (1991). 'Student learning in the context of school', in Biggs, J. (ed.), Teaching for Learning. The View from Cognitive Psychology. Hawthorne: Australian Council for Educational Research, pp. 7–29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Billett, S. (1996). 'Situated learning: Bridging sociocultural and cognitive theorising', Learning and Instruction6(3), 263–280.

    Google Scholar 

  • Billett, S. (1998). 'Understanding workplace learning: Cognitive and sociocultural perspectives', in Boud, D. (ed.), Current Issues and New Agendas in Workplace Learning. Springfield, VA: NCVER, pp. 47–68.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blumenfeld, P.C., Soloway, E., Marx, R.W., Krajcik, J.S., Guzdial, M. and Palincsar, A. (1991). 'Motivating project-based learning: Sustaining the doing, supporting the learning', Educational Psychologist26, 369–398.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boshuizen, H.P.A., Schmidt, H.G., Custers, E.J.F.M and van de Wiel, M.W. (1995). 'Knowledge development and restructuring in the domain of medicine: The role of theory and practice', Learning and Instruction5, 269–289.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boud, D. (ed.) (1998). Current Issues and New Agendas in Workplace Learning. Springfield (VA): NCVER.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boud, D. and Feletti, G. (1991). The Challenge of Problem-Based Learning. New York: St. Martin's Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boud, D., Freeland, J., Hawke, G. and McDonald, R. (1998). 'More strategic, more critical, more evaluative: Perspectives on research into workplace learning and assessment', in Boud, D. (ed.), Current Issues and New Agendas in Workplace Learning. Springfield (VA): NCVER, pp. 136–150.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boud, D., Solomon, N. and Symes, C. (2001). 'New practices for new times', in Boud, D. and Solomon, N. (eds.), Work-based Learning. A New Higher Education?Buckingham: SRHE and Open University Press, pp. 3–17.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brennan, J., Kogan, M. and Teichler, U. (1996). 'Higher education and work. A conceptual framework', in Brennan, J. Kogan, M. and Teichler, U. (eds.), Higher Education and Work. London: Kingsley, pp. 1–23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bromme, R. and Tillema, H. (1995). 'Fusing experience and theory: The structure of professional knowledge', Learning and Instruction5, 261–267.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, J.S., Collins, A. and Duguid, P. (1989). 'Situated cognition and the culture of learning', Educational Researcher18, 32–42.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burbules, N.C. (1993). Dialogue in Teaching. Theory and Practice. New York: Teachers College Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Candy, P. and Matthews, J. (1998). 'Fusing learning and work: Changing conceptions of workplace learning', in Boud, D. (ed.), Current Issues and New Agendas in Workplace Learning. Springfield, VA: NCVER, pp. 9–30.

  • Candy, P.C. and Crebert, R.G. (1991). 'Ivory tower to concrete jungle. The difficult transition from the academy to the workplace as learning environments', Journal of Higher Education62(5), 570–592

    Google Scholar 

  • Clark, B.R. (1995). 'Complexity and differentiation: The deepening problem of university integration', in Dill, D.D. and Sporn, B. (eds.), Emerging Patterns of Social Demand and University Reform: Through a Glass Darkly. Trowbridge: IAU Press and Pergamon.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clark, G. and Whitelegg, J. (1998). 'Maximasing the benefits from work-based learning: The effectiviness of environmental audits', Journal of Geography in Higher Education22(3), 325–344.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cooper, D.D. (1998). 'Reading, writing, and reflection', in Rhoads, R.A. and Howard, J.P.F. (eds.), Academic Service Learning. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, pp. 47–56.

    Google Scholar 

  • Darrah, C.N. (1995). 'Workplace training, workplace learning: A case study', Human Organization54(1), 31–41.

    Google Scholar 

  • Desforges, C. (1995). 'How does experience affect theoretical knowledge for teaching?', Learning and Instruction5, 385–400.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dill, D. and Sporn, B. (1995). 'The Implications of a postindustrial environment for the university: An introduction', in Dill, D.D. and Sporn, B. (eds.), Emerging Patterns of Social Demand and University Reform: Through a Glass Darkly. Trowbridge: IAU Press and Pergamon.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dunlap, M.R. (1998). 'Methods of supporting students' critical reflection in courses incorporating service learning', Teaching of Psychology25, 208–210.

    Google Scholar 

  • Engeström, Y. (1996). 'Developmental work research as educational research. Looking ten years back and into the zone of proximal development', Nordisk Pedagogik16, 131–143.

    Google Scholar 

  • Engeström, Y. (2001). 'Expansive learning at work: toward an activity theoretical reconceptualization', Journal of Education and Work14, 133–155.

    Google Scholar 

  • Entwistle, N. (1988). 'Motivational factors in students' approaches to learning', in Schmeck, R.S. (ed.), Learning Strategies and Learning Styles. New York: Plenum Press, pp. 21–51.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eraut, M. (1994). Developing Professional Knowledge and Competence. London: Falmer Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eraut, M., Alderton, J., Cole, G. and Senker, P. (1998). Development of Knowledge and Skills in Employment(Final report of a research project funded by "The Learning Society" Programme of the Economic and Social Research Council). Sussex: University of Sussex.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eteläpelto, A. and Light, P. (1999). 'Contextual knowledge in the development of design expertise',in Bliss,J., Light,P. and Säljö, R.(eds.),Learning Sites: Social and Technological Contexts for Learning. Oxford: Pergamon/Elsevier, pp. 155–164.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eteläpelto, A. and Tourunen, E. (1994, 9.-12.11.1994.). 'Project learning in the educa-tion of systems analysts'. Paper presented at the The 4th International Conference on Experiential Learning, 9.-12.11.1994, Washington DC, USA. Available at: http://www.cs.jyu.fi/~eero/eero-pub.html

  • Foster, E. and Stephenson, J. (1998). 'Work-based learning and universities in the U.K.: A review of current practice and trends', Higher Education Research and Development 17(2), 155–170.

    Google Scholar 

  • Geiss, C.G. and Schmidt, K. (1999). 'German experiences in easing the transition from school to early careers', Journal of Vocational Education Research24(3), 123–131.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gibbons, M., Limoges, C., Nowotny, H., Schwartzman, S., Scott, P. and Trow, M. (1994). The New Production of Knowledge. London: SAGE.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gustavsen, B. (1992). Dialogue and Development. Social Science for Social Action: Toward Organizational Renewal, vol 1. Assen: Arbetslivscentrum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hager, P. (1998). 'Understanding workplace learning: General perspectives', in Boud, D. (ed.), Current Issues and New Agendas in Workplace Learning. Springfield, VA: NCVER, pp. 31–46.

  • Hughes, C. (1998). 'Practicum learning: Perils of the authentic workplace', Higher Education Research and Development17(2), 207–227.

    Google Scholar 

  • Digests/ ed346319.html (10.8.1999).

  • Isaacs, W.N. (1993). 'Taking flight: Dialogue, collective thinking, and organizational learning', Organizational Dynamics22(2), 24–29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, G. (1997). 'Reframing teacher education and teaching: From personalism to post-personalism', Teaching and Teacher Education13, 815–829.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kahne, J. and Westheimer, J. (1996). 'In the service of what? The politics of service learning', Phi Delta Kappan77(9), 592–598.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kautto-Koivula, K. (1993). A Degree-Oriented Professional adult Education in the Work Environment, a Case Study of the Main Determinants in the Management of a Long-Term Technology Education Process. Doctoral thesis. University of Tampere, Faculty of Education. Acta Universitatis Tamperensis, Ser A. Vol 390.

  • Kautto-Koivula, K. (1999). 'Degree-oriented professional adult education in the work environment', in Ruohotie, P., Honka, J. and Suvanto, A. (eds.), The Developmental Challenges in the Cooperation of Education and Training and Working Life. Helsinki: Ministry of Education and Research Centre for Vocational Education, pp. 57–70.

    Google Scholar 

  • Keeling, D., Jones, E. and Botterill, D. (1998). 'Work-based learning, motivation, and employer-employee interaction: Implications for lifelong learning', Innovations in Education and Training International35(4), 282–291.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kivinen, O. and Peltomäki, M. (1999). 'On the job or in the classroom? The apprenticeship in Finland from the 17th century to the 1990s', Journal of Education and Work12(1), 75–93.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kivinen, O. and Silvennoinen, H. (1999). 'From classroom lessons to knowing how', in Kivinen, O., Silvennoinen, H. and Puustelli, P. (eds.), Work-Based Learning. Prospects and Challenges. Helsinki: Ministry of Education, pp. 9–15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kivinen, O., Silvennoinen, H. and Puustelli, P. (eds.) (1999). Work-Based Learning. Prospects and Challenges. Helsinki: Ministry of Education.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kolb, D.A. (1984). Experiential Learning. Experience as the Source of Learning and Development. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lave, J. and Wenger, E. (1991). Situated Learning. Legitimate Peripheral Participation. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leinhardt, G., McCarthy Young, K. and Merriman, J. (1995). 'Intergrating professional knowledge: The theory of practice and the practice of theory', Learning and Instruction5, 401–408.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lyons, J. 1999. 'Reflective education for professional practice. Discovering knowledge from experience', Nurse Education Today19, 29–34.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mandl, H., Gruber, H. and Renkl, A. (1996). 'Communities of practice toward expertise: Social foundation of university instruction', in Baltes, P.B. and Staudinger, U.M. (eds.), Interactive Minds. Life-Span Perspectives on the Social Foundation of Cognition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 394–412.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marginson, S. and Mollis, M. (in press). 'The door opens and the tiger leaps. Theories and reflexivities of Comparative Education for a global millenium', Comparative Education Review49.

  • Marsick, V.J. and Watkins, K.E. (1990). Informal and Incidental Learning in the Workplace. London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marton, F. and Säljö, R. (1976). 'On qualitative differences in learning I-Outcome and process', British Journal of Educational Psychology46, 4–11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mulder, M. and Finch, C.R. (1997). 'School-to-work transition: International comparisons', International Journal of Vocational Education and Training5(1), 5–8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mäkinen, J., Olkinuora, E. and Tynjälä, P. (1999). 'Growing demands of skills and knowledge: Learning and the acquisition of expertise in the information society', Analytic Teaching 20(1), 19–28.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nonaka, I. (1994). 'A dynamic theory of organizational knowledge creation', Organization Science5, 14–37.

    Google Scholar 

  • Norman, G. and Schmidt, H. (2000). 'Effectiveness of problem-based learning curricula: Theory, practice and paper darts', Medical Education34, 721–728.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olesen, H.S. and Jensen, J.H. (1999). Project Studies-a Late Modern University reform? Roskilde, Denmark: Roskilde University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peterson, S.E. and Myer, R.A. (1995). 'The use of collaborative project-based learning in counselor education', Counselor Education and Supervision35(2), 150–158.

    Google Scholar 

  • Poell, R.F., Van der Krogt, F.J. and Warmerdam, J.H.M. (1998a). 'Project-based learning in professional organizations', Adult Education Quarterly49(1), 28–42.

    Google Scholar 

  • Poell, R.F., van der Krogt, F.J. and Wildemeersch, D.A. (1998b). 'Solving work-related problems through learning projects', International Journal of Lifelong Education17(5), 341–351.

    Google Scholar 

  • Poell, R.F., van der Krogt, F.J. and Wildmeersch, D. (1999). 'Strategies in organizing work-related learning projects', Human Resource Development Quarterly10(1), 43–61.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reich, R.B. (1991). The Work of Nations. New York: Vintage Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Resnick, L.B. (1987). 'Learning in school and out', Educational Researcher16, 13–20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Robertson, C. (1998). 'Towards interactive business learning-A university for industry', Virtual University Journal1, 207–212.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rogoff, B. (1991). 'Social interaction as apprenticeship in thinking: Guided participation in spatial planning', in Resnick, L.B. Levine, J.M. and Teasley, S.D. (eds.), Perspectives on Socially Shared Cognition. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association, pp. 349–363.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruohotie, P., Honka, J. and Suvanto, A. (eds.). (1999). The Developmental Challenges of Education and Training and Working Life. Helsinki: Edita.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sarja, A. (2000). Dialogioppiminen pienryhmässä. Jyväskylä: Jyväskylän yliopisto. Jyväskylä Studies in Education, Psychology and Social Research 160 [in Finnish].

  • Savin-Baden, M. (2000). Problem-Based Learning in Higher Education: Untold Stories. Buckingham: Society for Research in Higher Education.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schön, D.A. (1987). Educating the Reflective Practitioner. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scott, P. (1995). The Meanings of Mass Higher Education. Bury St Edmunds: SRHE and Open University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sfard, A. (1998). 'On two metaphors for learning and dangers of choosing just one', Educational Researcher27, 4–13.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sheckley, B. and Keeton, M.T. (1997). 'Service learning: A theoretical model', in Schine, J. (ed.), Service Learning. Ninety-Sixth Yearbook of the National Society for the Study of Education. PartI. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, pp. 32–55.

  • Slaughter, S. and Leslie, L.L. (1997) Academic Capitalism. Politics, Policies, and the Entrepreneurial University. Baltimore and London: Johns Hopkins University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Slotte, V. (2001). Networked Learning for Professional Development: Cross-Cultural Project on Learning at Work. Paper presented at the 9th European Conference for Research on Learning and Instruction, Fribourgh, Switzerland, 28.8.-1.9.2001.

  • Slotte, V. and Tynjälä, P. (2002). 'Industry-university collaboration for continuing professional development', submitted to Journal of Learning and Work.

  • Stasz, C. and Stern, D. (1998). Work-Based Learning for Students in High Schools and Community Colleges. Berkeley, CA: National center for research in vocational education. ED 425352.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stern, D., Rahn, M.L. et al. (1998). 'Design of work-based learning for students in the United States', Youth and Society29(4), 471–502.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tillema, H.H. (1997). 'Reflective dialogue in teams: a vehicle to support belief change in student teachers', European Journal of Teacher Education20, pp. 283–296.

    Google Scholar 

  • Toulmin, S. (1992). Cosmopolis, the Hidden Agenda of Modernity. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tourunen, E. (1992). 'Educating reflective system designers by using the experiential learning mode', Paper presented at the the IFIP W.G. Professional Development of IT Professionals. Singapore, 13.-17.7.1992. Available on web page: http://www.cs.jyu.fi/~eero/ eero-pub.html

  • Tourunen, E. (1996). 'How to support reflection in project-based learning using learning portfolios and information technology?', Paper presented at the the 5th International Conference on Experiential Learning. Cape Town, South Africa, 1.-6.7., 1996. Available at: http://www.cs.jyu.fi/~eero/eero-pub.html.

  • Trigwell, K., and Reid, A. (1998). 'Introduction: Work-based learning and the students' perspective', Higher Education Research and Development17(2), 141–154.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tynjälä, P. (1998). 'Traditional studying for examination vs. constructivist learning tasks: Do learning outcomes differ?', Studies in Higher Education23, 173–189.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tynjälä, P. (1999). 'Towards expert knowledge? A comparison between a constructivist and a traditional learning environment in the university', International Journal of Educational Research31(5), 357–442.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tynjälä, P., Nuutinen, A., Eteläpelto, A., Kirjonen, J. and Remes, P. (1997). 'The Acquisition of professional expertise-A challenge for educational research', Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research41, 475–494.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tynjälä, P. and Tourunen, E. (2002). 'Three way partnership assessment in working life oriented project based learning', in Benton, N. and Benton, R. (eds.), Te Rito o te Matavranga: Experiential Learningfor the Third Millenium. Refereed papers from the 7th Conference of the International Consortium for Experiential Education, Volume 2.

  • Weigert, K.M. (1998). 'Academic service learning: Its meaning and relevance', in Rhoads, R.A. and Howard, J.P.F (eds.), Academic Service Learning: A Pedagogy of Action and Reflection. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, pp. 3–10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wenger, E. (1999). Communities of Practice: Learning, Meaning and Identity. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vermunt, J. (1996). 'Metacognitive, cognitive and affective aspects of learning styles and strategies: A phenomenographic analysis', Higher Education31, 25–50.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vermunt, J. (1998). 'The regulation of constructive learning processes', British Journal of Educational Psychology68, 149–171.

    Google Scholar 

  • Välimaa, J. (1999). 'Managing a diverse system of higher education', in Henkel, M. and Little, B. (eds.), Changing Relationship between Higher Education and the State. London and Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, pp. 23–41.

    Google Scholar 

  • Välimaa, J. (ed.) (2001) Finnish Higher Education in Transition. Perspectives on Massification and Globalisation. Jyväskylä: Institute for Educational Research.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Päivi Tynjälä.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Tynjälä, P., Välimaa, J. & Sarja, A. Pedagogical perspectives on the relationships between higher education and working life. Higher Education 46, 147–166 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1024761820500

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1024761820500

Navigation