Placement experience: how academic support prepares students for the workplace experience

This study aims to develop knowledge around how academic support prepares undergraduate students for placement experience. As a result, this stage of the study seeks to understand and examine readiness for placement activities and compare two approaches, from the University of Northampton and Canterbury Christ Church University, England, UK. Students who complete placement experiences during year two of the associated undergraduate degree at either institution are invited to complete a questionnaire assessing their confidence and preparedness before starting a placement in early years. Students will then complete a questionnaire after the placement, reflecting on their preparation and confidence. Analysis will compare findings from both institutions with the aim of understanding how academic support prepares students for the workplace, with the aim of improving teaching and learning strategies. The research is currently in progress, with the first set of data collection complete