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Connected Learning
Making real-world learning part of everyday schooling.
Year Level:
Subject:
7 - 12
All
Duration:
1 / 2 periods - whole day
Location:
School, workplace, other
Recurrence:
Ongoing whole-school partnership
Student Outcome:
I understand why I’m learning this, where it can lead and what options are available to me.
NPL Connected Learning is a whole-school partnership model that embeds career learning into everyday teaching and learning. By connecting what students are already learning with real-world applications, careers and pathways, the model aims to make school more relevant and engaging for young people.
An NPL team member works alongside teachers, careers staff and school leaders to connect curriculum with employers, further education providers and community partners, so these real-world connections become a regular part of learning across subjects and year levels.
What to expect
Students encounter real-world applications, careers and pathways through their everyday learning. Depending on the subject and learning purpose, this could involve industry experts, workplace or further education visits, practical projects, real problems or other authentic experiences.
Teachers are supported to identify where these connections can strengthen planned learning, while NPL helps find, brief and coordinate suitable community partners.
Outcomes
Students better understand why their learning matters, how it connects with life beyond school and where it can lead. This can make learning feel more relevant and engaging, while helping students build the knowledge, confidence and connections to make informed decisions about their future.
At the same time, teachers build confidence and industry relationships, helping the school make real-world and career-connected learning a sustainable part of everyday education.
“NPL provides the link between our school and the community. NPL are also impacting on teachers to not just blindly follow a textbook or the curriculum, they are helping them to contextualise to their students what’s happening in and around Warrnambool.”
Principal, Warrnambool College
“Opportunities to take learning outside the classroom are huge and having the NPL to broker these is vital.”
Principal, Brauer Secondary College
“NPL does an amazing job at connecting industry with schools, hopefully it can open all educators eyes that school is there to facilitate learning and not all about study scores and university placements.”
Teacher