Reimagining internships through online experiences : Multidisciplinary engagement for creative industries students

• Published in: International journal of work-integrated learning Vol. 21; no. 5; pp. 617 - 628
• Main Authors: Briant, Sarah, Crowther, Philip
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New Zealand Association for Cooperative Education 01.01.2020
• Subjects: Barriers; Case studies; College Students; Communities of Practice; Coronavirus (COVID-19); COVID-19; Creative industries; Distance Education; Electronic Learning; Higher education; Industry; Inquiry; Internship Programs; Learning communities; Learning in an emergency; Literature reviews; Online learning; Pandemic pedagogy; Pandemics; Pilot projects; Professional development; School Holding Power; Student engagement; University business relationship; Work environment; Workplace learning; Australia
• ISSN: 2538-1032; 2538-1032

This paper details a new dimension to an existing internship program developed in response to the effects of COVID-19 in a creative industries faculty at a large Australian university. Recent changes to workplace activities, as a result of the pandemic, have offered an opportunity to test a mode of internships in which students work and engage remotely, via on-line modes, with a workplace. Analysis of the offering is conducted using the Community of Inquiry framework. Outcomes confirm the concept of remote internships as appropriate strategies that can not only support improved student retention in the short term, but offer new opportunities for enriched, broadened and more equitable internship experiences. Workplace-based internships, while offering high impact and authentic experiences, are often difficult for many students who are unable to attend workplaces to complete the required hours due to a range of other work, study, and life factors. The new remote internship, seeks to overcome these barriers. [Author abstract]