At Otago Polytechnic, the School of Veterinary Nursing has sought to enhance the learning opportunities for students through the development of a series of partnerships between employers and students currently employed in the workforce. These learning communities have to accommodate remote students, small numbers and students undertaking different qualifications. Interactions between learning and workplace communities have been extremely important in the perceived level of support felt by these often isolated students. Survey results showed some variation in the views of the students concerning the complementary nature of the two communities in which they are involved, with the level of workplace support being the main factor influencing these perceptions. Aspects of the design of the learning and assessment activities were also identified as important factors contributing to the synergies between the learning community and the community of practice. These include group work involving constructive critique of workplace policies and procedures, assessments situated in the workplace, training of junior staff, and tangible outcomes valuable to the workplace.
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