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From PSYC4P07 Winter 2013: Group 06

Revision as of 19:37, 3 April 2013

What is Creativity?

Creativity can be defined as the process or drive behind any given act of creation, or invention ^[1]. Being creative is the ability to view experiences from different perspectives while expanding one’s knowledge and skill base through interaction and involvement ^[2]. Co-op programs are the perfect way to expose students to experiences that will foster opportunities for creativity. It is believed that children who attend school will gain knowledge and creativity in a variety of disciplines ^[1]. For that reason it would benefit school’s to integrate service learning programs into their curriculums to ensure that their students who graduate are well rounded individuals ^[1].

Motivation has been found as a strong individual factor to promoting creativity, therefore motivation fostered through service learning programs will lead to creativity in their educational endeavors^[3]. Furthermore, experience in the field allows the student to become familiar and comfortable in the environment allowing them to perform creatively^[3]. It is clear that service learning programs foster positive skills such as creativity in students. The evidence supports efforts be made to incorporate service learning programs into more education programs.

Co-op programs are designed to alternate academic terms with work terms ^{[4] [5]}. The alteration of work and academic terms is designed so that students can develop skills during the work terms that can then be applied to academic terms ^[4] and so students can see how academic material can be applied to real job settings ^[6] . However when a student is not in the honors stream of psychology their co-op terms do not alternate with academic terms for this to occur ^[5] A good co-op program should individualize each students learning which allows the student to become motivated and actively involved in their own learning ^[7]. However, Brock's co-op program is only individualized in the aspect that each person will have a different work term, every student has to take the same preparation course and is given the same information ^[5] regardless of their individualized goals. Good co-op programs should also provide lots of support for the student, such as resume building, interview practice ^[4], role models and feedback ^[7].Brock's co-op program does provide this initial support when registering for the first work term through the course 0N90 but after this initial course very few supports and feedback are put into place ^[5].There are many cons to the psychology co-op program at Brock University such as access and financial costs.

CAN WE ADD A PHOTO HERE? CAN WE ADD BULLET POINTS- THIS CHUNK IS AGGRESSIVE

What is a Service Learning Program?

EDIT ME Service Learning is a method of teaching that combines formal instruction with related service in the community into an academic school curriculum and as such provides its students with a higher level of learning ^[8]. Service Learning Programs are necessary for youth in the 21st century because they need to meet the ever changing and developing skills that are currently in demand within their future workforce^[9]. The main reason for Service Learning Program’s (SLP) is to engage students in experiences that concentrate on human and community needs as a whole, This is done through structured opportunities that involve deliberate reflection which is designed to promote student learning and growth^[10]. Creativity and Service Learning need to work together to ensure the idea behind SLP’s is to foster creativity in our youth so that they can take the skills they accumulate with them throughout their academic and professional lives. The skills learned in service learning programs can later translate and be useful in a professional setting^[11].

Co-op programs are designed to alternate academic terms with work terms ^{[4] [5]}. The alteration of work and academic terms is designed so that students can develop skills during the work terms that can then be applied to academic terms ^[4] and so students can see how academic material can be applied to real job settings ^[6] . A good co-op program should individualize each students learning which allows the student to become motivated and actively involved in their own learning ^[7]. Good co-op programs should also provide lots of support for the student, such as resume building, interview practice ^[4], role models and feedback ^[7].

IF WE FIND A BROCK VIDEO- SHOULD ONLY HAVE ONE VIDEO NOT TWO SO CLOSE TOGETHER

Creativity can be defined as the process or drive behind any given act of creation, or inventionIt is commonly agreed that a large contributor to creativity is various life experiences and therefore integrating service learning into the schools would be the best way to ensure that the students that come out are well rounded in all areas of learning

What does a Co-op Program Look Like?

Schedule of Psychology Co-op Work Terms - Honors Stream

Schedule of Psychology Co-op Work Terms -Non Honors Stream

Take a look at the video link below featuring the placement coordinator from Kingston University in London. She discusses the various benefits of placements for students.

What are the Different Types of Co-op's?

Service Learning Programs are an opportunity for youth to transfer their school-based knowledge to the community and apply it to real life scenarios ^[12]. All of the SLP’s offer a different aspect that can be tailored to the individual needs of each student.

There are four main types of SLP’s all differentiated by who and how one is served.

• Direct Service: are activities which generate direct contact with individuals in need. This is often the most beneficial for students because they receive immediate feedback and they learn they can make a difference. Examples of this type of service would be things like working with senior citizens, small children, or the homeless ^[13].
• Indirect Experience: are activities that often involve the student working behind the scenes or as part of a team for a greater organization. Access to these experiences are often found in schools and is therefore easily accessible to students. Examples of this type of service include being a part of a production team. Collecting food or toys for a drive or other environmental projects ^[13].
• Advocacy: are activities that require youth to take a stand for what they believe in. Examples of this service include presenting or speaking to the community on behalf of an environmental or political cause ^[13]. These programs not only allow student the chance to develop their presentation skills, but they it gives the student an opportunity to deeply analyze why or what they believe in.
• Community Based Research: are activities that require students to be a part of a pair or team that is responsible for researching and problem solving ideas for existing or new community programs. These programs may also exist within the school environment. There is a large emphasis on research programs and tools with this work ^[13].

The Benefits of Service Learning Programs for the University

There is a concern in the short-term goal an undergrad student wishes to pursue. The main focus of these students is completing their degree as quickly as possible. Therefore after completion, applying for careers is more difficult because certain universities do not foster co-op programs towards students ^[14]. Co-ops are structured and combined to provide practical work experiences and learning opportunities towards the study of choice. ^[15].

Institutions not only get to view the success of their students, but also gain a stronger connection with their community and create an excellent reputation. ^[16]

Community engagement is increasingly recognized as a vital component to the future of any university ^[14]. There are several reasons why community engagement and co-op programs might be important:

• Co-ops can enhance the profile of the university to the employer
• Co-ops have the ability to increase recruitment numbers towards the university
• Co-op allows well recognition by the institution knowing that the university is fulfilling dedication and responsibilities to their students as a education system ^[16].

Researchers have found that:

• 87% of students reported that the business schools felt a stronger connection to the community
• 81% reported that reputation of the university is affected by internships ^[15].

This is in reference to the tangible, facilitative and emotional support from staff. Students appreciated mentors and this increases their willingness to learn. When universities implement programs that offer the ability to apply what they have learned after graduation, this shows the university’s success rate ^[17].

Implementing co-op programs within universities allow the profile of the university to be^[16].

• Achieve at a higher academic skill level
• Enhances the skills and experience
• Bridging the gap between education within facilities and trust towards students

But more importantly co-op programs fulfill the responsibly to demonstrate its commitment for their students and to hire enthusatic mentors to complete this role ^[16]. Co-op programs benefit the university as an outstanding school to study knowing the increase levels of job opportunities after graduation^[16]

Success seen within students, assistants being supportive towards students academics

University of United Kingdom

University of UK is one of several schools that is known for their outstanding co-op programs offered towards their students. There results demonstrated that those who did receive co-op programs increased there academic average and job offerings ^[14]. The researchers results were relied on how certain universities promoted education fairs or open days that encourage the importance of placements and advertise these qualities. These job fairs or open days assisted in on awareness of the facility as a whole but as well directed to certain co-op programs.

University of Durham

Durham University is another institution that developed a partnership within the community and developed student co-op programs . They focused and aspired four main topics towards their students:

• Empowerment: providing support and resources and tackle concerns through interacting with the community
• Partnership: the trust and reliance on other networks to help through different approaches of communication and goals
• Education: to not only inform students but to widen their role and increase awareness to the public
• Leadership: Durham University is one of the leading research companies and integrating new approaches to boradening the students awareness ^[16]

Durham University fostered creativity through these four facets that increased their students awareness on community factors as well as co-op programs^[16]. This facility is simple well recognized for the ability in fostering new approaches within their students on seeing this as a school "commitment" towards students. Co-op programs demonstrates a well deserved standing as an overall view of the university ^[16].

Directed towards Psychology

Brock University is a well recognized institution that emphasizes it's Psychology students on developing critical thinking and writing. Brock offers a Psychology co-op to students in the honors and non-honor programs. However, the requirements of being accepted into these co-op programs reach a number of high expectations towards there students ^[6]. Statistics have shown that co-op programs allow some students to achieve higher grades. ^[18]. When companies interview individuals, the co-op option schools offer affect their decision and especially in a clinical environment or behavioural units because employers are critical on experience. ^[18].

Teachers and professors can increase school population but wanting to work in the top ranked institutions and also hiring those who are intellectually qualified for the positions ^[14]. Psychology co-op programs also can assist with other programs to link together in recruiting students before and after graduation terms^[14]. Companies also influence and encourage co-op programs as a desirable qualification for careers options, although there is little evidence that placement programs help all psychology students ^[18].

The Benefits of Service Learning Programs for Students

Co-ops are typically structured to include one year of hands-on work placement experience within their degree, most often it occurs in their third year of study, then students return to school for their final academic year ^{[19] [20]}. Employers are searching for applicants who have experience in the field when hiring within their company ^[21]. Many university programs do not provide opportunities to obtain experience to foster creativity, therefore employers are reporting a dissatisfaction with graduates as they fear students lack vital workplace skills ^[22].

Co-op programs are valuable to the university student because they:

• Allow exposure to the working environment,
• Provide the opportunity to develop transferable skills within the workplace^{[23] [19]}
• increase student employability ^{[24] [19]}
• Foster motivation and creativity within the academic setting that results in students obtaining a degree that is reputable by employers and the univeristy^[23].
• Co-op programs facilitate development of transferable and interpersonal skills that are rarely taught or facilitated in an academic classroom because the university classroom cannot provide the hands-on experience needed to cultivate such skills^{[23] [22]}

Main Benefits

Benefits to Students in Psychology

Douglas Maynard, a psychology professor at the State University of New York, wrote an article on the Psi Chi: The International Honor Society in Psychology website addressing the six best characteristics of a psychologist. He indicated that psychologists should be^[27]:

• Skeptical in their research and acceptance of research results that are empirically supported in the literature
• Open-minded to accepting supported research that may go against their own beliefs
• Self-aware and to be humble and modest in their work and how they work with their clients
• Tolerant of various cultural differences
• Engaging in ethical behaviour and ensuring that you are not causing harm to the client in any way
• To be generous in their knowledge and share their research findings with others to contribute to advancing the field and practice of psychology.

Researchers in the psychology department at Aston University found that students in their placement program had increased motivation and dedication to learning within the classroom that resulted in increased creativity and employability of the student^[24]. These results from Ashton University can be generalized to psychology students at other institutions, including Brock University, suggesting that Brock co-op programs can increase motivation, creativity and overall employability of its students.

As research has shown, co-op programs have been found to foster self-esteem and self-confidence that allow psychologists to have a strong sense of self-awareness. They also foster critical thinking skills that improve an overal understanding of course content allowing psychologists to be skeptical of the research they participate in or read and remain open minded to new ideas.

Although it is true that not all psychology students pursue the career of a psychologist, it is clear that co-op programs foster many of the skills necessary to develop characteristics that make up an effective professional in this particular field. Research also shows that not only are students graduating more prepared for the workplace from co-op programs, employers are more likely to recognize these valuable assets as 40% of companies have indicated a preference for hiring students who have completed a co-op placement^[23].

Benefits to Students with Disabilities

Individuals with disabilities are often discriminated against in the workplace when employers are hiring new individuals to work in their company. For example, it is possible that hiring an individual with a physical disability can require costly modifications to the workplace that employers are unwilling to do^[28]. Co-op programs are beneficial for students with disabilities as they can develop a better understanding for work demands, improve employability, obtain independence, practice working with others, and reach personal achievement goals ^[29]. Additionally, employers are exposed to working with individuals with disabilities and can improve their attitudes and biases towards this population ^[29].

Advantages and Disadvantages of Co-op Programs at Brock University

Brock University offers a co-op program for psychology students in both the honors and non-honors streams. This program has both many advantages and disadvantages to the student in the program.

Advantages

Amber Knuff, Psychology: “The Brock Co-op Program has given me the ability to explore potential career choices and build invaluable work experience.”

There are several advantages of the current Psychology co-op programs offered at Brock University. Brock University is the third largest co-op university in the province. ^[30] There is nearly a 100% placement rate for students in all programs, including Psychology, at Brock University – which is considered to be one of the highest placement rates across the whole country. Therefore, students stress little about obtaining a placement program. Brock University provides students with a job board and sessions to help build their resume, cover letter, and interview skills. Students can not only apply these sessions for obtaining their co-op placement, but also use them to obtain future employment upon graduation. Brock University also screens all placement postings to make sure that students are able to participate in valuable work-terms within their program. ^[30] Students gain up to twenty full months of work experience by the time they graduate and possess valuable networks which will increase their chances of finding employment after graduation. Brock’s Psychology co-op opportunities give students a chance to earn income to finance their education, and thus decrease dependency on their student loans. ^[30] Brock Psychology co-op students have an outstanding chance of securing a full-time job out of the co-op program. Sixty percent of all graduate jobs are filled with individuals with co-op work experience and education. ^[30] Overall, Brock University co-op programs foster individual’s creative thinking by allowing students to have the opportunity to creatively pick their own co-op placement. Students will be presented with situations at their co-op placement where they will have to creatively solve problems, and this creative solving problem will be transferred to their academic work and future career opportunities.^[30] Brock University co-op students are required to complete a reflection paper with regards to their co-op experience, which allows students to recognize the skills, such as creativity, that they have developed ^[5]

Disadvantages

Although there are many advantages to being in the co-op program, Brock's co-op program only provides initial support when registering for the first work term through the course 0N90 but after this initial course very few supports and feedback are put into place ^[5]. Students are required to find a work placement on their own and directly send resumes and cover letters to employers with little assistance from the co-op office ^[5]. However, at other schools such as Lambton College, the co-op department is in direct contact with employers and find the placements for the students ^[31].

Access to Co-op Program

Not all psychology studies are given access to the co-op program. In order to even get into the co-op program a grade 12 average of at least 80% ^[5] must be achieved while the minimum average to get into the psychology program is 75% ^[32]. Also, in order to stay in the program this grade level must also be maintained ^[5] This grade difference is a predicament since students who have lower grades who may actually benefit more from these programs are excluded from experience. Since these programs may actually help improve academic performance by providing practical skills that can be applied to academic situations and increase a student’s motivation to learn it would be important for a wide variety of student's to experience the co-op program rather than just students who have top grades. ^{[33] [4]}.

Financial Costs

Once students are accepted in the co-op program they must pay over the four years an extra $2100 on top of their tuition ^[5]. The payments are divided into $750 in year 1, $750 when registering for the preparation course and $700 when registering for the student’s first work term ^[6]. The co-op process can be extremely expensive ^[24] and work terms are not always guaranteed to pay enough to cover the costs of co-op. For example, many of the work terms available in the psychology department that are not human resource positions are actually volunteer positions through non-government organizations ^[5]. Students are allowed to get OSAP for when they are attending academic terms but OSAP will not provide the $700 for a work term. This can be problematic especially if the student is working at a NGO and may not be able to come up with the money to pay the co-op fees ^[34]. Also, even if the student does not use the co-op office tools and finds a placement on their own they are still required to pay the $700 even if they did the work of finding a placement themselves ^[6].

The Need for Psychology Co-op Programs

There is a need for Psychology co-op programs because of the value they provide to the labour market and creativity they foster in university students ^{[22] [19]}. Many jobs in the work market request experience in the field as a requirement of the application ^[24], and as a result students and their families have been reported to pay a significant amount of money to obtain good placement/internship positions ^[35]. The University of Dreams program Check out the University of Dreams Website!charges in some cases up to $8000 to seek out reputable organizations and obtain placements for students^[35]. This is a strong example of the need for placement programs as students will spend a great deal of money to obtain experience in service learning programs. The University of Dreams claims that over 70% of students with an internship in their program recieve a job after placement ^[21] thus making the program attractive to recent graduates from post secondary institutions. Overall, students who graduate with their degree in co-op program indicate that their year spent in a practical placement was extremely valuable and motivated them to work harder in school and in the workplace^[19].

Although there are advantages to Brock's current Psychology co-op program it is important to consider how Brock's co-op programs are failing Psychology students in order to develop an improved co-op program for Psychology students. ^[36] For example, Brock has invested a lot of time into the Business co-op program and has made it one of the largest in Ontario. ^[5] However, this same investment of time should be taken to address the specific shortcomings in the Psychology co-op program in order for Brock University to state it has one of the best Psychology co-op programs around ^[36]

Notes and References

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} Yeh, Y., Huang, L., Yeh, Y. (2011). Knowledge management in blended learning: Effects on professional development in creativity instruction. Elsevier: Computers and Education. 56. 146-156.
2. ↑ Weisberg, R.W. (1993). Creativity- Beyond the Myth of Genius. Freeman and Company. Retrieved from: http://www.csun.edu/~vcpsy00h/creativity/define.htm
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} Shalley, C. E., Gilson, L. L. (2004). What leaders need to know: A review of social and contextual factors that can foster or hinder creativity. The Leadership Quarterly, 15, 33-53
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6} Hoffart,N., Diani, J.A., Connors,M., & Moynihan, P.(2006). Outcomes of cooperative education in a baccalaureate program in nursing. Nursing Education Perspectives, 27(3), 136-143
5. ↑ ^{5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 5.11 5.12} Brock University. Brock Univeristy co-op: Going places.St Catharines, Ontario: Co-op Office
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4} Brock University (2012)Undergraduate co-op manual 2012/2013. St Catahrines, Ontario: Co-op Office
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3} Cates,C., & Jones, P.(1999). Learning outcomes: The educational value of cooperative education. Columbia, MD: Cooperative Education Association.
8. ↑ National Service Learning Clearinghouse: America’s Most Comprehensive Service- Learning Resource. (2007) Retrieved from: http://www.servicelearning.org/what-service-learning
9. ↑ Marin, L. (2011). KIDS Consortium’s Blog: Top reasons service learning promotes being creative and entrepreneurial: 21st Century Skills in Action. Retrieved from: http://blog.kidsconsortium.org/2011/11/28/top-reasons-sl-promotes-being-creative-and-entrepreneurial-21st-century-skills-in-action/
10. ↑ Service Learning Programs: CAS Standards and Guidelines. ( 2005). Retrieved from: http://www.communityservicelearning.ca/en/documents/CASService-LearningProgramStandards.pdf
11. ↑ Pless, N. M., Maak, T., Stahl, G.K. (2012). Responsibility and sustainable development through management development: what can be learned from international service learning programs? Human Resource Management. 51. 6. 873-904.
12. ↑ Ming, A.C.C., Lee, W.K.M., Ka, C.M.H. (2009). Service-learning model at Lingman University: development strategies and outcome assessment. New Horizons in Education. 57. 3. 1-18.
13. ↑ ^{13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3} Hentschel, M. (2006). Types of Service Learning Activities. Retrieved from: http://tilt.colostate.edu/sl/faculty/types.cfm
14. ↑ ^{14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4} Patel, Brinkman, & Coughlan, (2012). Work placements and academic achievement: undergraduate computing students. Education & Training, 54(6), 523-533.
15. ↑ ^{15.0 15.1} Weible, (2009). Are universities reaping the available benefits internship programs offer? Journal of Education for Business, (85), 59-63.
16. ↑ ^{16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4 16.5 16.6 16.7} Russell, Cattermole, Hudson, Banks, Armstrong, Robinson, Pain, Gollan & Brown, 2011. Sustaining community-university collaborations. Gateways: International Journal of Community Research & Engagement .(4). 218-231.
17. ↑ Williamson, Callaghan, Whittlesea, & Heath Improving student support using placement development teams: staff and student perception. Journal of Clinical Nursing, (20), 828-836
18. ↑ ^{18.0 18.1 18.2} Reddy & Moores. Measuring the benefits of a psychology placement year. Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 3(5), 551-567.2006.
19. ↑ ^{19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 19.4 19.5 19.6} Neill, Neville T., Mulholland, Gwyneth, E. (2003). Student Placement- structure, skills and e-support. Education + Training, 45 (2), 89-99
20. ↑ Theguardian: Blogging Students. (2013). Why aren’t more students doing sandwich courses?. Retrieved from http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/mortarboard/2012/apr/30/students-sandwich-course
21. ↑ ^{21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3} Dream Careers: Global Internship Programs. (2013). Value of an Internship. Retrieved from http://www.summerinternships.com/overview/value/
22. ↑ ^{22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 22.4 22.5 22.6} Wilton, Nick. (2012). Impact of work placements on skills development and career outcomes for business and management graduates. Studies in Higher Education, 37 (5), 603-620
23. ↑ ^{23.00 23.01 23.02 23.03 23.04 23.05 23.06 23.07 23.08 23.09 23.10 23.11} Patel, Nayna., Brinkman, Willem-Paul., Coughlan, Jane. (2012). Work placements and academic achievement: undergraduate computing students. Education + Training, 56 (6), 523-533
24. ↑ ^{24.0 24.1 24.2 24.3 24.4} Moores, Elisabeth., Reddy, Peter. (2012). No regrets? Measuring the career benefits of a psychology placement year. Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 37 (5), 535-554
25. ↑ ^{25.0 25.1 25.2} Pedagogy in Action (2012). Evidence of Service- Learning Benefits. Retrieved from http://serc.carleton.edu/sp/library/service/benefits.html
26. ↑ TheBIGChoice.com: Student & Graduate Jobs. (2013). Benefits of a Work Placement. Retrieved from http://www.thebigchoice.com/Placements/Advice/Benefits_of_a_Work_Placement.html
27. ↑ Maynard, D.C. (2006). The six characteristics of highly effective psychologists. Psi Chi: The International Honor Society in Psychology. Retrieved from http://www.psichi.org/pubs/articles/article_565.aspx
28. ↑ Baldwin, M., Johnson, W. G. (1994). Labour market discrimination against men with disabilities. The Journal of Human Resources, XXIX (1), 1-19
29. ↑ ^{29.0 29.1} Georgiou, Catherine, Elizabeth., Espahbodi, Shima., De Souza, Lorraine, Hilary. (2012). Preparing for the world of work: an exploratory study of disabled students’ experiences of work placement. Journal of Education and Work, 25 (5), 523-536
30. ↑ ^{30.0 30.1 30.2 30.3 30.4} Brock University (2010). Considering Co-op? Retrieved from: http://brocku.ca/co-op/future-students-2/what-is-co-op
31. ↑ Lambton College (2013) Frequently Asked Questions. Retrieved from: http://www.mylambton.ca/mycareer/students/Frequently_Asked_Questions/#_Will_I_be_placed_a_in_a_Co-op_position?__
32. ↑ Brock University (2010). Experience Brock university: Faculty of social science program information. Retrieved from http://experience.brocku.ca/program
33. ↑ Coll, R.K., Taylor, N., & Nathan, S. (2003). Using work-based learning to develop education for sustainability: A proposal. Journal of Vocational Education and Training, 55(2), 169-182
34. ↑ Wynne, K. (2013). How to get OSAP. Retrieved from http://http://www.ontario.ca/education-and-training/how-get-osap
35. ↑ ^{35.0 35.1} The New York Times: Business. (2009). Unpaid Work, but they Pay for Privilege: Gerry Shih. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/09/business/09intern.html?_r=2&
36. ↑ ^{36.0 36.1} Personal Communication, March 19 2013