Teaching and Learning Strategy Day

Professor Wendy Purcell

Vice-Chancellor and Chief ExecutiveUniversity of Plymouth

April 2010

“In this country, you see, it takes all the running you can do, to keep in the same place.

If you want to get somewhere else, you must run at least twice as fast as that!”

Red Queen, Through the Looking Glass

Challenging times ahead ... can’t just ‘run faster’ ...

need to be proactive, agile ...secure opportunities!

The futureGreater emphasis on innovation and ...

• The use of technology – course delivery, assessment, resources• Employability• Entrepreneurship and social enterprise • Flexible pathways – pt, modular • Placements, internships – work experience• Global citizenship

The Edgeless University

“Technology is changing universities as they become just one source among many for

ideas, knowledge and innovation ... online tools and open access also offer the means

for their survival ... universities can use technology to offer more flexible provision

and open more equal routes to higher education and learning.”

iTunes U

Ambition 1: Through-life learning

To provide a first-class student experience and develop people who are ambitious, entrepreneurial and autonomous learners. Through experiences such as placements, internships and volunteering, our people will be well-equipped to build their futures and to continue learning throughout their lives.

Our Strategy

The student experience at Plymouth draws inspiration from the spirit of discovery that marks our region’s maritime and industrial heritage, and from our strong network of partnership.

Plymouth people make a major contribution to economies and societies around the world. We are committed to developing graduates who are ready to take their place as active and responsible citizens in society, in particular, using their sustainability and cross-cultural skills in the local and global environment.

The Plymouth Experience

T & L - General Management ObjectivesTransform our approach to meet the needs of a 21st Century learner which includes on-demand and flexible delivery, using technology to focus on learning outcomes rather than content ...

• Employability Centre• The Plymouth Student• Simulation Learning• Develop flexible delivery approach• Introduce an employability and entrepreneurship skills framework to all programmes (incl. social enterprise)• Credit volunteering and work placement opportunities for our students and staff• Embed sustainability skills in all programmes

At the heart of the campus – 500% increase in the number of students using the facilities ...

Gateway – our new employability centre

External context

• New Government agenda• Fees Review • Skills Strategy• Higher Ambitions – HE framework• Closer links with

business/industry• Leitch target – 40%?!• Greater selectivity?

Fees Review - clues• Social mobility, redefine WP to include those in work• Importance of universities in economic recovery• Teaching quality and contestability• HE- FE relationships• Role in preparing professionals >500,000 students• Teaching funding by credit awarded•Withdrawal of Foundation Degree premiums, Widening

Participation funding•Maintaining quality despite reduced level of £££

HE is changing ...

’Old world’ – Public funding entitlements

to

’New world’ – Income earned through value delivered

Higher Ambitions• More business engagement in the funding and design of programmes, sponsorship of students, and work

placements; • Creating more part-time, work-based

and foundation degrees;• Setting out clearly what students can

expect in terms of the nature and quality of courses offered ...

HEFCE

• New Head of Teaching and Learning (as of 1st August) – William Locke – previously Assistant Director and Principal Policy Analyst at the Centre for Higher Education Research and Information (CHERI) at the Open University.

Challenges/Opportunities?New government Spring/Summer 2010Competitive Funding – contestability

Student fees review – substitute not additional £££Change in student relationship with provider T-funding move to differentiate by ‘quality’ scoreNew models – private/shared services/federal etcIncreasing technological opportunities, the estate?Quality vs volume

Create agility in an ever-changing market