Placeholder for the research methodology, justification and defence.
MACMP Unit 5 – Social media tools as a means of evidence during an apprenticeship
Formal apprenticeships are regaining popularity amongst young people and employers as an alternative means of obtaining qualifications after Secondary education completes either at 16 or 18. It is even being offered to young people who are older than 18 as an attempt to provide a fresh start and break the cycle of long term unemployment.
In order to complete an apprenticeship, apprentices are required to submit a series of “essay style” written pieces of work as evidence at key stages during their vocational training. With technology so prevalent and social media tools being so readily available as a supporting tool to learners this method of assessment is not necessarily the most appropriate mechanism. It is entirely possible that using date approaches to evidence submission could result in a loss of interest in subject material or even a higher risk of drop out from formal completion of the diploma.
Many young people who opt for an apprenticeship do so because traditional academic learning approaches do not gel with their specific learning behaviours.
Vocational “on the job” training provides them with the opportunity to learn valuable skills that will see them through a career in their chosen field. However in order to qualify and gain the all-important diploma certificate apprentices are once more pressed to conform to traditional learning methods and values.
This for many can become a deal-breaker and they do not submit the necessary evidence of vocational practice and ultimately drop out of the apprenticeship program, which can in itself lead to unemployment.
Given that the principal of gaining an apprentices diploma is through proof of practical application I believe that allowing submission of evidence through alternative means will be invaluable to the learning experience. Using social media tools such as Facebook, Blogs, YouTube and Twitter (tools which are almost second nature to the majority of young people) will help to enhance the journey, maintain engagement and interest with the subject and therefore improve the success rate for many apprentices.
