Work-based learning (at a Law ftrm) - Essay Example

? Work Based Learning Report and Portfolio No: Work Based Learning Report and PortfolioWhat is Work Based Learning? Work based learning as an important part of organizational progress is understood by many organizations today and they are looking forward to have better employees to start working with them after gaining learning experience. Work based learning merits intending candidates to maintain a set of evidence that demonstrates that a professional can meet the standard requirement of learning outcome. They are assisted by seniors who called upon intermittently during the WBL period. Work based learning is categorized as an important phase in the transition of students from educational work as professionals in practical workplaces. It is stated by Fink, et al, (2007) that work based learning trains the students to transit successfully from school to work1. They further elaborate work based as: “Work-Based Learning is an approach which focuses upon the practical utility of learning and is therefore directly relevant to learners and their work environment. A WBL approach to learning acknowledges that learning can take place in a variety of situations and settings, and is not restricted to that developed through the classroom or lecture theatre.”2 It means that work based learning is a tool that is employed for training students to become qualified professionals. They have pre-utilized the skill of working in a professional based environment and are ready to handle different situations in any workplace. Knowledge, work and learning, all come together when a student is allowed to learn through work based learning approach. Knowledge that the students gain at a workplace is further better understood as David Major says, “Knowledge is retained and reinforced through practical application”.3 Therefore, it is quite clear that pragmatic knowledge enables the learners to learn and understand in a better manner. The knowledge that is acquired continues to exist and gets better with the passage of time. Work based learning as a whole is an advantageous took for learners in terms of practical experience acquisition. According to Roodhouse, work based learning for students is different as compared to working of employees as it is said, “Work-based learning needs to be distinguished from work place learning, that form of learning that occurs on a day-to-day basis at work as employees acquire new skills to develop new approaches to solving problems. No formal education recognition normally accrues to such learning, whether or not it is organised systematically.”4 Word based learning for students is a sort of education that students obtain while being at work. They gain practical knowledge that they can implement while being in a professional environment after completion of their academic qualifications. Work based learning accommodates the students to understand working procedures while gaining their education. The universities and organizations together have formed learning experiences for students with the support of work based learning as described under: “Work-based learning is the term being used to describe a class of university programmes that bring together universities and work organizations to create new learning opportunities in workplaces”.5 In my point of view, work based learning is quite crucial in academic life as it facilitates the students to have an idea of the workplace which they wish or are going to work in their future. In addition, working at the workplace is accommodate in facilitating the learners with knowledge as Stephen Billet says, “as individuals engage in social practices, such as work, they engage in an ongoing process of knowledge construction and refinement.”6 I have been working at Trinity Solicitors LLP since my second year of University. My intention was to have a couple of weeks work experience, after which I was offered to stay longer if I desired to. Of course since then I have been going to work at least once every week, depending on my free time. Along with Trinity Solicitors I have always tried to gain every opportunity possible to learn and improve my skills, to always stand out when looking for any job in the future. I have worked at Kolia Solicitor’s and met my mentor regularly as part of my learning experiences. I normally work with all three different solicitors at Trinity LLP, they each specialize in different areas of law. For this work based Learning report however, I have decided to concentrate on one area, Immigration law, as it is one of my other modules I have chosen this semester. While working at the firm, I feel that I am acquiring some advantageous knowledge on daily basis that is going to prove beneficial in my career. In this paper, I will write about my experiences in terms of work based learning, my objectives, the skills that I have gained, outcome of the study, my strengths and weaknesses and my future goals. In this report, I will link theory to practice and will show how work based learning supported me in gaining knowledge and polishing my skills. Aim of the Study While working at Trinity Solicitors LLP, I kept certain objectives that are to gain confidence, to improve my communication, administration, writing and presentation skills, to be able to conduct legal research successfully, to understand and make use of legal terminologies and to make myself aware of the work environment and adjust in it without any problem. This study that I have conducted also has a predominant aim and that is to analyze work based learning and the implications of work based learning in my improvement in terms of experience gaining, learning and knowledge acquisition. Description of the Major Activities of the Study For collection of knowledge, I was required to refer to various sources. First and foremost important thing for me was to write a reflective diary. The reflective diary that I have created keeps the account of all my activities that I used to do while being at work. It also has my views and ideas about any situation I faced while being at work. I was also required to gain detailed information about work based learning that is a significant topic in today’s learning world. I conducted a detailed research by reading enough content on work based learning. In terms of my study at the law firm, I did many activities such as meeting with clients, interviewing them, sending and receiving emails, photocopying, preparing drafts of correspondence and legal documents, conducting legal research and so on. All the activities that I perform are supportive in enabling me to learn more. Whenever, I learn something, I have a sense of achievement. The activities that I have mentioned are learned at the workplace and my skills got polished with the passage of time. I am still in the learning phase. A Reflection on the Learning Experience I have been involved in the process of checking various cases related to immigration and other problems. Also, I attended cases in the court. Draft making of legal documents and correspondence between the clients and the law firm, conducting legal research and interviewing clients are some crucial activities that I did while at the workplace. The first thing that I learnt was be well prepared before time as sometimes you feel lost when you have no knowledge as the first time when I listened to the clients, I was somewhat unknowledgeable about many facts. When I watched a debate on child detention, the question argued on was ‘what assessment is made of child detention for immigration purposes on arrival at UK ports.’ This experience informed me about creation of laws and role of debate in the creation. When I listened to the case of two clients who came for full British citizenship because of their being (BPP) British Protected persons7, I came to know the skills of communicating with the clients and giving them the advice that they require. I filled in their forms and also checked for their due rights and connected law to their situation. I did a lot of drafting while working and every time when I made a draft, I regarded myself better than before. In the course of my work, when I scrutinized a divorce case, I was a little down as I felt that being a solicitor not necessarily allows you to see both the sides but the one who you are defending. I also worked at an immigration case related to three women from Iraq who applied for asylum and refused to go back to Iraq. They were previously residing at UAE for nearly 25 years. For this case, I read in detail the immigration and asylum act 19998. After reading the law, I felt that the ladies were really destitute as they had no connection with their country of origin and would face problems in terms of societal conflicts and secularism if sent back. The most interesting experience that I had being at work was to represent Kolia Solicitors at court (Immigration Tribunal). The case was about an immigration of tier 4 category student. He was refused a visa because it was under an undergraduate degree level which was more than 3 years. Under the law an undergraduate degree cannot be more than 3 years9. This was the most exciting experience for me as I enjoyed being a professional presenting some serious work that needed consideration. While being at work, I sometimes took things personally such as clients ‘rude’ attitude I got experience that things should not be taken personally and a polite attitude should be maintained from a professionalism side. A Reflection on the Achievement of Personal Transferable Skills The skills that I learnt while being at work are very supportive for my future career. I set some objectives and had a perception that I would be able to have better confidence in public dealings, interviewing, communicating, conducting legal research and having legal knowledge to a great extent. I feel that I have acquired many skills such as I can conduct a detailed research about immigration law related to any matter. Also, I feel that I can advise the clients about their problems or issues with legal facts. However, to be true this cannot be said that my advice will be perfect as I am still in phase of learning. I can make better drafts than I made previously. My interviewing skills are also polished along with my communication skills. I feel confident when I meet with clients and discuss their problems with them. I also can console the clients by calming their stressed state. Information Search of Relevant Material Information search of relevant material is entirely essential for any kind of academic research. I searched all the required material with the support of internet and libraries. Internet is a good resource of information as it contains databases of books, articles, journals and much more. With the help of internet, I came to know about various books and I found those books at libraries. However, to be very true, I took most of help from the British library as I visited the library many times to take hold of the books relevant to my subject. The information was mostly collected from books as books are the best resource of information. I went into my university library and found most of the books either reserved or taken so I decided to visit the British library for more options and I was glad that it was very much supportive for learners and researchers. As far as libraries are concerned, no one can deny the fact that libraries are always helpful as they can be used for any kind of data research. You just have to scrutinize the catalogue. Data collection and then sorting out the right data for writing or inclusion in report is very necessary and tough job. However, I have done the job to some extent. An Analysis of Personal Strengths and Weaknesses Yet to be completed An Evaluation of the Study as a Whole Overall the whole study is quite fruitful as I accessed required knowledge through researching and learning practically. Reflective diary made me to think in descriptive terms as not only I narrated the experiences but also presented my views on the gained experiences. While working at the firm, I feel that I am also growing professionally. My planning related to professional growth is to attain legal knowledge, confidence, communication skills and conduct legal research profoundly. At this juncture, I am working as a supporter rather than a full time worker. Even then, I have acquired enough knowledge about my future and my plan about my professional growth is quite clear. Lawyers in many countries around the world (you may also call them as counsels, legal practitioner, solicitor or barrister) are bound to complete certain number of hours under continuing legal education or under continuing professional development as the case may be10. In England and Wales, every solicitor after graduating and completing the LPC11 need to work for two years 12before qualifying. What I am currently doing at the law firm is quite similar to what a trainee solicitor would be doing so this can be considered in fact an advantage for me. Future Direction After necessary training and imparting skills and knowledge of the relevant legal field, I feel that I can easily find out the job in the legal profession provided I fit for the job. There are number of jobs available in this field across UK. I have seen the esteemed newspapers of UK and there are ample legal jobs according to my capacity and competency that I will gain. These jobs comprise of Para legal, legal secretary and the solicitor jobs. The mentioned jobs are career building and lucrative in terms of financial benefits. I want to be a solicitor and I feel that I have number of career opportunities if I carry on with the same progress. I am happy with my job as I feel that my skills and knowledge have enhanced. However, sometimes I also consider my job as hectic. I can continue on this job placement if I am unable to get better opportunities. However, in case of better offers, I will switch over to some other firm. Bibliography Clayton, G., 2006. Textbook on Immigration and Asylum Law. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Fink, F. K., Rokkjaer, O., and Schrey, K., 2007. Work Based Learning and Facilitated Work Based Learning. Teaching and Research in Engineering in Europe. Also available at http://www3.unifi.it/tree/dl/oc/d8.pdf Hartley, P., Woods, A., and Pill, M., 2005. Enhancing Teaching in Higher Education: New Approaches For Improving Student Learning. London: Routledge. Lemanski, T., Mewis, R., and Overton, T., 2007. An Introduction to Work-Based Learning. London: The Higher Education Academy. Also Available at http://www.hestem.ac.uk/sites/default/files/an_introduction_to_work-based_learning.pdf Marchington. M. and Wilkinson, A., 2006. Human Resource Management at Work (People Management & Development). 3rd Ed. London: CIPD. Raelin, Joseph A., 2008. Work-based Learning: Bridging Knowledge and Action in the Workplace. London: John Willey & Sons. Rainbird, H., Fuller, A., and Munro, A. [Eds], 2004. Workplace Learning in Context. London: Routledge. Roodhouse, S., and Mumford, J., Understanding Work Based Learning. Aldershot: Gower Publishing. Read More