PROJECTS 2008-09

Looking back at last year’s projects and their development.

10 Projects

• 5 HuSS, Business School, Geography, Psychology, SSHS & Education, Film Studies

• Provided Schools with range of recommendations on varying aspects of the learning experience

GEOGRAPHY - ACADEMIC WRITING SUPPORT

45% Students struggled with academic writing

61%Students speak to a fellow student rather than a tutor/lecturer if struggling academically

68% Wanted extra writing support

• Skilled supervisor to provide academic

support

• One-to-one/small group sessions on different topics

GEOGRAPHY - recommendations

• Funding for 150 hours academic support - half hour 1-to-1

sessions for all years

• 3 trained PG students delivered sessions to 36 students - received positive feedback: “A good idea that should be implemented

earlier, especially in the second year, as this will help improve the standard of writing dramatically”

• Further activity - ‘Referencing & Style Guide’ created, sample Dissertations made available, sessions in Tremough

GEOGRAPHY - outcomes

CLASSICS - PEER LANGUAGE TUTORS

• Many students enter their degree with varying levels of

ancient language ability - many struggle with language aspects of their course.

•Peer tutoring scheme recommended for 1st years - will help understanding for both tutors & tutees.

CLASSICS - outcomes

• Peer tutoring scheme is being piloted.

• This is a student led initiative run through the SSLC and Classics Society.

• Positive feedback from tutees, tutors and academic staff.

BUSINESS SCHOOL - ENGAGEMENT IN LECTURES

• Echo 360 - used for looking back over lectures, revising, support notes & assignments

•TurningPoint - useful in lectures for focus, interaction, revision & assessing understanding

• The project recommended increased integration of these technologies.

BUSINESS SCHOOL - outcomes

• All first years have TurningPoint response systems (1000 sets). In 2010/11, all students from all years are to have response systems (a further 3000 sets).

• Echo360 lecture streaming used more widely throughout the School.

• Further outcomes - more technology being incorporated into the learning experience beyond lectures - mobile phones, podcasting, video capture in tutorials, wikis.

INSTITUTE OF ARABIC & ISLAMIC STUDIES - IMPROVING ASSESSMENT & FEEDBACK

• There was some concern over the amount and form of

feedback provided. Students would like more information about assessment methods as well as more detailed feedback on their assignments

• It was highlighted that earlier assessment practice would be beneficial to first years.

INSTITUTE OF ARABIC & ISLAMIC STUDIES - outcomes

• Formative assessment within first 6 weeks for 1st years.

• Mark sheets and handbooks improved to provide more

detail.

• Introduction to assessment by Head of Department in 1st

week.

• Personal tutor meetings in welcome week to help improve

academic development evaluation

IMPLEMENTING & SUSTAINING THE IMPACT

OF CHANGE AGENTS