The TRIFTY way
The basics
The TRIFTY placement is straight into the learning and academic side of the college.
It introduces students to Third Level course work that relates directly to their school subjects.
They come to know what lectures and college are like, and they are provided with insight into how lecturers research and gather information.
TRIFTY links third level departments and interested lecturers with the TY work experience programme in schools and suitable Adult Education and community groups.
A little more detail on how it works
Two TY students from the same class work together over one busy day in the university itself.
They attend a first year lecture.
They are previously prepared on the rough context of the lecture within the module and first year curriculum.
Ideally the TY students also attend a skills training class and/or a tutorial.
TRIFTY will work with the lecturer/relevant department to arrange this.
Students will be prepared, having been briefed on what the lecturer teaches, some research he/she undertakes and what needs to be done before, during and after the day.
It doesn’t burden the college or staff
Students will not require a location, an office or even a workspace because their day is full with attending lectures, carrying out their survey and visiting key locations.
Afterwards they work at home or in their school computer lab.
Neither does it burden lecturers.
While they can of course add to it, the basic experience requires their engaging with the students wherever and whenever it is convenient and having them attend a lecture.
The engagement can take place in an office, on the way to the lecture hall, or indeed over a coffee.
It is very efficient and offers a participant college a way to reach into secondary schools without committing significant resources.
The student is a winner
They become comfortable with third level practices.
They are able to conduct research, deliver their findings to standards demanded by higher learning, and make presentations.
Their learning no longer dependent on close direction and supervision, they become free to develop.
