Parallel Session 5 - Showcase 9 - Virtual WIL: technology enabled WIL placements and projects – Preliminary findings

Virtual WIL online placements and projects enable students to interact directly with host industries or communities to work on real-life problems or projects via online platforms, which may be independent of time, space, geographical boundaries and disciplines. The following three characteristics are integral to a virtual WIL experience: real-life tasks or problems are presented to students with briefing from the community or industry representative online; students present their work to the industry or community representatives online; and, the industry or community representatives provide online feedback to students on their project or activity. Quality virtual WIL opportunities reflect the changing nature of work, especially digitally-based gig and contract economies; improve access to placements/projects for all students, especially international and equity groups; and engage a wider range of host organisations and communities in providing WIL opportunities locally and globally (Schuster & Glavas, 2017). In this showcase presentation, we will share preliminary findings from our ACEN funded project aimed at identifying benefits of virtual WIL placements and projects, inherent challenges associated with designing and implementing these experiences, along with effective strategies for overcoming these challenges.