Work-based Learning During Covid-19 Pandemic: A Reflection on Adaptability

Conference: The Asian Conference on Education (ACE2022)
Title: Work-based Learning During Covid-19 Pandemic: A Reflection on Adaptability
Stream: Education, Sustainability & Society: Social Justice, Development & Political Movements
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
Authors:
Julia Wong, Singapore Institute of Technology, Singapore

Abstract:

“Understanding Non-Profit Organisations (NPO): Work-based Learning” is a Sociology module where sophomores undertake a volunteering work placement with an NPO to learn how NPOs' work interface with social policies in Singapore. This presentation examines how the faculty, students and NPOs adapted to the pandemic.

Like most countries, Singapore had a series of national lockdowns, which affected students’ search for placements. To minimise disruptions to the students’ learning, the faculty limited placements to those of remote nature. The students adapted strategically by volunteering with various NPOs months before the classes began and they sought to secure group placements by proposing works that utilised their academic skills (e.g., research work) and non-academic skills (e.g., facilitating music workshops for clients).

Many NPOs were also forced to move some activities for their clients online. However, NPOs’ abilities to effectively serve their clients (e.g., individuals with intellectual disabilities) were limited by pre-existing politico-economic structures and social policy frameworks in Singapore. For instance, NPOs and students serving clients with intellectual disabilities would find it challenging to help them particularly during the pandemic and in a knowledge-based economy like Singapore as they tend to work in service-industry sectors (e.g., cleaners in restaurants and hotels).

In conclusion, as the Covid-19 pandemic moves to an endemic state, society needs to go beyond increasing resources to help individuals (especially those from vulnerable groups) and institutions to cope with remote work, but it also needs to re-examine the gaps in our social policies that have been exacerbated by the pandemic.



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