Developing and Supporting the Student Experience: A Partnership Approach

Dr. Ian PickupHead of Student Experience

Strategic Intent

…to be Ireland’s leading university and to sustain our position in the top 2% of universities globally by:1. Delivering research-inspired teaching and learning with a world class student experience2. Being a premier European university for research, discovery, innovation and commercialisation 3. Being pre-eminent in internationalisation, external engagement and contribution to society4. Applying best international practice to attract, develop and retain staff of the highest quality and to enable all staff to reach their full potential5. Strengthening our infrastructure and resource base

Heading

wordle

Engagement in Student Life

Student Wellbeing

Employability and Further Study

Retention, Progression & Success

Orientation and Transition

Collaboration

Sharing of resources Joint

Projects

Cross fertilisation

Clarity of focus on student outcomes

Wider staff involvement and development

Shared Objectives

Stronger governance

New Partnership Ideas

Can you identify one new partnership project that would impact on student outcomes?

•Who is it with?•What would the impact be?•Could this be measured?•What resources would be required?

The Student Partnership

Student engagement is concerned with the interaction between the time, effort and other relevant resources invested by both students and their institutions intended to optimise the student experience and enhance the learning outcomes and development of students and the performance, and reputation of the institution.

HEA (2010)

Providing the Right Conditions

The concept of student engagement is based on the constructivist assumption that learning is influenced by how an individual participates in educationally purposeful activities. Learning is seen as a ‘joint proposition’ … which also depends on institutions and staff providing students with the conditions, opportunities and expectations to become involved.Coates (2005, p. 26)

Critical Success Factors(Trowler, 2010)• Students themselves invest time

and effort• Student affairs staff collaborate

with others• Engagement varies by discipline,

and so engagement plans are nuanced

• Institutions provide students with resources and opportunities to engage, and promote specific kinds of interactions

• The educational philosophy of an institution promotes, emphasises and supports implementation of student engagement

The UCC Student Partnership

• How do we currently involve students as partners?

• Can we develop a broader and stronger partnership with students?

• What would be the benefit to students, staff, managers?

• Would the benefits be obvious to us all?

Questions, Next Steps…