Moving forward with Technology Enhanced Learning at the University of Reading… by Vicki Holmes

By edwardwhite Comment Closed

The Digital Development Forum in July was an ideal opportunity to begin sharing some of the thinking and planning around Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) that has been happening over the last 6 months.

In January 2013 the TEL Strategy Group was established, chaired by Professor Gavin Brooks and with representation from across the University.   The Strategy Group has met 4 times to date.  In addition, Professor Julian Park (Associate Dean Teaching and Learning for Faculty of Life Sciences), Kara Swift (VP Academic Affairs 2012-2013) and myself have been part of the ‘Changing the Learning Landscape’ programme, a national initiative to help universities develop their thinking and practice around TEL.  This has involved participating in a series of workshops, and meeting and sharing practice with colleagues from other HEIs.

So what has been the output from this?  

We have identified 3 strands of activity that we feel are crucial to Reading’s TEL development:

  • To further embed existing technologies, underpinned by expectations of use – we want to ensure that our current technologies are fit for purpose and being used to the full
  • To develop and explore new areas of TEL activity and other technologies – we want to look to the future and ensure that we keep pace and, at times, lead the way
  • To embed and support the above with foundational and cross-cutting initiatives – we want to ensure that all TEL initiatives are appropriately supported and underpinned

Within each strand, we have identified 2 priority areas and created projects to take these forward.  All 6 projects will have a nominated lead; the lead will then involve other staff to support and progress the project.  Some projects are well underway, while others are in the early stages.

In addition, an audit has also been undertaken (drawing on the Digitally Ready project, as well as interviews with other universities and national surveys) to help understand our current position.

So what next? 

In the Autumn term there will be some formal communications to the whole University from the PVC Teaching and Learning about the TEL vision and activity.

With respect to the 6 projects, expect to hear more as they gather pace.   We will be inviting you to get involved – your input will be crucial in informing the direction and ensuring that TEL meets your and your students’ needs.

My presentation from the event is available on Yammer

Internationalising Student Support Community of Practice (COP) by Matthew Daley

By edwardwhite Comment Closed

The Internationalising Student Support COP has been established with the remit to offer opportunities for staff involved with and interested in the development and enhancement of student support and experience in relation to internationalisation; to share best practice and discuss current challenges and opportunities for providing a high quality international student experience for all students. This COP is led by the University’s International Student Adviser in partnership with RUSU’s elected International Students’ Officer and supported by the Associate Dean (Science).

Each meeting focuses on a particular theme and good practice and ideas for improvement on that theme are presented and shared, with the intention of exploring how to disseminate good practice effectively.

The second meeting took place on Thursday 7 February with the theme ‘Tailoring Support for International Students’ and attracted over 30 members of staff from across the University.

Some of the highlights were:

Dr Michelle Reid gave an overview of the collaborations and work Study Advice is involved in with Departments to tailor support for their international students. What has tended to work well is embedded support working with Schools and the Study Advisers work has shifted with a 100% increase in work which focuses on embedding study skills. Some examples of embedding study skills highlighted were workshops on plagiarism and referencing, time management, working smarter not harder and independent learning for students in Food Sciences. Tailored sessions for Study Abroad and ERASMUS students included Adjusting to studying in the UK and preparing for exams.

There are currently two projects that Study Advice is currently working on; the development of screencasts and animations to explain the principles of essay writing and referencing. The other project is a collaboration with the Library and ISLC on producing a toolkit for referencing.

Liz Smith is the PPD Co-ordinator at the Institute of Education and talked about the International Student Enrichment Programme which was set up in 2006. The Enrichment Programme this year has been further developed into a formal non-credit bearing module. The Enrichment Programme (EDM159) currently includes language and study skills sessions, social events and pastoral support. The module is ‘Front-loaded’ with lots of support in the Autumn Term, reducing gradually during the spring and summer terms.

The activities and sessions on the module are divided into 3 themes, ‘Speaking and Listening Skills’, ‘Learning Enhancement’ and ‘Academic Writing and Language Skills’. Some of the sessions delivered include ‘A cultural visit to Reading’, ‘Understanding essay questions’, ‘Participating in Debates’ and ‘Paraphrasing’.

Future meetings and their themes are below and bookings can be made via CSTD:

  • Integration and Languages (staff supporting all students)

–        Wednesday 24/04/2013 – 13.00-14.00

Internationalising Student Support Community of Practice (COP) by Matthew Daley

By edwardwhite Comment Closed

The University Strategy for Teaching and Learning identified “communities of practice” as key vehicles for informal dialogue with the ‘academic voice’ and for mutual support, for the exchange of ideas and the sharing of good practice between different role groups involved in the whole University teaching and learning agenda.

The Internationalising Student Support COP has been established with the remit to offer opportunities for staff involved with and interested in the development and enhancement of student support and experience in relation to internationalisation; to share best practice and discuss current challenges and opportunities for providing a high quality international student experience for all students. This COP is led by the University’s International Student Adviser in partnership with RUSU’s elected International Students’ Officer and supported by the Associate Dean (Science).

Each meeting focuses on a particular theme and good practice and ideas for improvement on that theme are presented and shared, with the intention of exploring how to disseminate good practice effectively.

The first meeting took place on Wednesday 5 December with the theme ‘Employability’ and attracted 20 members of staff from across the University.

Some of the highlights were:

  • Em Sowden, Placement and Development Manager, talked about the demand for international placements from all students particularly in China, Malaysia and India. Em also talked about the new online resource ‘My Jobs Online’.
  • Jane Batchelor, Career Development Advisor for the School of Real Estate & Planning and Lilly Mae Liddicott, Head of Industrial Training/Industry Liaison for the Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences both highlighted the value of Alumni involvement. Alumni could be used in a number of ways including mentoring current students and offering evening lectures.
  • Organising student-led events, where previous placement students can talk to current students about their own placement experience and how it has benefited them.

Future meetings and their themes are below and bookings can be made via CSTD:

  • Tailoring Support for International Students (staff supporting international/EU students)

–        Thursday 07/02/2013 – 13.00-14.00

  • Integration and Languages (staff supporting all students)

–         Wednesday 24/04/2013 – 13.00-14.00

Findings of QAA/NUS Research into the Student Experience

By edwardwhite Comment Closed

Four mini-reports have been published by the NUS following a 12 month, QAA commissioned, research project into the UK higher education student experience.

Below are the links to each of these reports which have the following themes: Teaching and Learning; Independent Learning and Contact Hours; Subject Differences and First Year Student Experience.

Teaching and Learning
http://www.qaa.ac.uk/Publications/InformationAndGuidance/Documents/Student-Experience-Research-2012-Part-1.pdf

Independent Learning and Contact Hours
http://www.qaa.ac.uk/Publications/InformationAndGuidance/Documents/Student-Experience-Research-2012-Part-2.pdf

Subject differences
http://www.qaa.ac.uk/Publications/InformationAndGuidance/Documents/Student-Experience-Research-2012-Part-3.pdf

First Year Student Experience
http://www.qaa.ac.uk/Publications/InformationAndGuidance/Documents/Student-Experience-Research-2012-Part-4.pdf