Southern Illinois University-Carbondale WED
468-3
Department of Workforce Education & Development
Page
20
FOUNDATIONAL MODELS
Cooperative Education (co-op) is a method of instruction that involves and
unites the secondary school and employers in a joint educational effort. The co-op
program has three component parts that contribute to the students' occupational
competency:
·
General
courses
·
Part-time job in chosen occupational field
·
Related
instruction
Search the Internet for the National Commission for Cooperative Education at
websites: http://www.co-op.edu/model.html &
http://vocserve.berkeley.edu/CenterFocus/CF1.html
.
Dr. Warren J. Baker, President of the California Polytechnic State University San
Luis Obispo, CA, stated, "We seek to generate stronger partnerships with industry to
ensure our instructional programs are relevant, meet industry needs, and remain current
with changes in technology. Classroom instruction will continue to be our primary
means of educating students; however, it is imperative that we continually explore other
learning paradigms."
"There is sufficient research and data to indicate that student learning occurs
outside the formal classroom. Co-op has been identified as an ideal off-campus learning
environment in which partners already exist between university and industry. Can co-op
experience satisfy learning requirements for specific classes, thereby formalizing its role
and value in the curriculum and providing new learning environments for students? At
Cal Poly, this may include a more formal use of Industry-Sponsored Co-op Projects,
Senior Projects, Technical Credit Toward Graduation, as well as promote Professional
Exchange Programs and Faculty Exchange Programs." Funding of cooperative
education is considered an integral part of the curriculum of the school and is funded as
part of the total school program.