Scroll down to learn about the different types of experiential learning:
| Length | Credit Value | Description | Key Elements |
| Job Shadowing (e.g., students to work day) | |||
1/2 to 1 day (in some cases, up to 3 days) |
none |
you experience one-on-one observation of a worker at a place of employment |
involves the pairing of you with a worker in a specific occupation may be integrated with a credit course may be part of your school-work transition program |
Job Twinning |
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1/2 to 1 day |
none |
one-on-one observation of a co-op placement |
involves the pairing of you with a student in cooperative education |
Work Experience |
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1-4 weeks |
none |
a planned learning opportunity, within any credit course, that provides you with relatively short-term work experiences, usually of one or two weeks' duration and not exceeding four weeks |
involves a short-term, subject-related work placement forms an integral part of a specific credit course requires pre-placement orientation requires a learning plan |
Virtual Work Experience |
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the equivalent of 1-4 weeks |
none |
experience simulated work, within any credit course, that allows you, including students who recive a special education program or services and students in rural areas, to take advantage of a greater variety of experiences than those available in the local economy |
involves a short-term, subject-related virtual work placement facilitated through the use of computer software and the Internet forms an integral part of a specific credit course requires pre-placement orientation requires a learning plan |
Cooperative Education |
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full term (year or semester) |
1 credit per 110 hour cooperative education credit course successfully completed |
a planned learning experience, for which credits are earned, integrates classroom theory and learning experiences at a workplace to enable students to apply and refine the knowledge and skills acquired in a related curriculum course or a locally developed course |
requires a personalized placement learning plan involves the earning of credits requires pre-placement orientation is monitored by the cooperative education teacher integrates classroom and workplace learning involves reflective learning involves student assessment |
School-Work Transition Programs (e.g., Bridges) |
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varies, but typically not less than 2 years (3-4 semesters over Grades 11 and 12) |
varies with type of planned workplace experience |
a combination of school- and work-based education and training involving a variety of learning opportunities |
is oriented towards students who will be entering the workforce directly after high school involves the development of partnerships with employers involves the enhancement of curriculum with input from employers involves the earning of cooperative education credits |
Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) |
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varies, but typically not less than 2 years (3-4 semesters over Grades 11 and 12) |
varies with opportunities |
an opportunity to meet diploma requirements while participating in an apprenticeship occupation |
designed for students 16 years of age and older who have already earned 16 credits towards OSSD may involve your registration in an apprenticeship requires your documentation and training regarding trade-specific competencies acquired involves the earning of cooperative education credits |
Number of Hours Required for Cooperative Education Courses |
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Number of Credits |
Pre-Placement |
Integration |
Placement |
Total Hours |
1-credit course (related to 1 in-school course) |
15-20 hours |
7 hours |
83-88 hours minimum |
110 hours |
2-credit course (related to 1 in-school course) |
12-20 hours |
14 hours |
186-191 hours minimum |
220 hours |
4-credit course (related to 2 different in-school courses) |
15-20 hours |
28 hours |
392-397 hours minimum |
440 hours |