Which type of work-based learning allows students to gain practical experience while studying?

Cooperative education is designed to integrate academic studies with practical work experience, allowing students to apply what they learn in the classroom to real-world situations in a professional setting. This model typically involves a formal partnership between educational institutions and employers, enabling students to alternate or combine classroom learning with hands-on work experience.

In cooperative education, students are usually employed in part-time positions that are relevant to their field of study. This arrangement not only enhances their understanding of the subject matter but also helps them develop valuable workplace skills and establish professional connections that can benefit their future careers. The key aspect of cooperative education is that it is structured, often for academic credit, and allows a deeper level of involvement in the work environment compared to other forms of work-based learning.

Internships, while similar, typically do not have the same formal connection to academic credit or may not require alternating between work and academic studies. Job shadowing offers observational experience rather than immersive work, and school-based enterprises involve running a business as part of the educational process, usually not featuring external work placements.