Co-working, exploring the ways teacher-practitioners shape students’ learning experience in fashion and textiles higher education

In this study teacher-practitioners are professional practitioners working in fashion and textiles businesses and teaching within fashion and textiles subjects in higher education (HE). S/he contributes to teaching within an institutional setting and may also support the student experience in other contexts, for example, as a host in a workplace-learning environment. The Co-working project explores the experiences of fashion and textile teacher-practitioners in HE, and observes how they facilitate student learning and enhance student employability in the fashion and textiles industry. The research was undertaken in late 2009 and early 2010. The report aims to inform HE’s understanding of the role of teacher-practitioners and focuses on: • What motivates fashion and textiles industry professionals to teach? • What are the teacher-practitioners’ perceptions of their roles in shaping graduate learning outcomes and attributes? • How do teacher-practitioners perceive the benefits to and limitations on their practice? • How do students view the benefits and limitations of the teacher-practitioners? • How are professionals supported in their roles as teacher-practitioners