scholarly journals Engaging academic staff with reading lists

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 222
Author(s):  
Allie Taylor

Following the implementation of online reading list software, Library Services at the University of Worcester (UW) encouraged academic staff to consider the reading list as a learning tool. Using an interactive teaching session timetabled as part of the Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education, lecturers are asked to consider how they can maximise the impact of their reading lists and increase library use. The pedagogy of reading lists and student engagement with reading are examined. Participants also discuss the type of content reading lists typically contain and question whether this accurately reflects what the students should be reading. It draws on best practice from academic colleagues at UW, examining (among other things) the effect of list length, structure and lecturer voice and presence.

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matt Elphick

Digital capabilities are recognized as key skills that students must possess to learn and work in our increasingly digital world and have been the subject of a growing focus over recent years. Similarly, smartphones and, to a lesser degree, tablets are now ubiquitous within the student body, and many academics are beginning to leverage these devices for the purposes of learning and teaching in higher education. To further explore the possibilities of mobile technology, the iPilot project was created to explore the effects that embedded iPad use had on undergraduate students’ creativity, ability to collaborate with their peers and their perception of their digital capabilities. Focusing on the digital capabilities aspect of the project, this paper explores the results gathered. While the results are mixed, when combined with data taken from the Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC) Digital Experience Tracker, it does appear that using iPads in the university classroom can have a positive impact on certain digital behaviors and students’ perceptions of their digital skills.


2009 ◽  
Vol 33 (104) ◽  
pp. 45-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacqueline Ann Chelin ◽  
Jason Briddon ◽  
Elspeth Williams ◽  
Jane Redman ◽  
Alastair Sleat ◽  
...  

This article outlines research carried out with students and academic staff at a large UK university library on how e-books are being used for learning, teaching and research. It was discovered that e-books are meeting many of users' needs, especially in terms of accessibility, but there are still concerns about subject coverage and the impact on students' learning. There are various reasons why e-books are beneficial in developing an academic library collection, most particularly for reference materials and essential readings, but librarians need to work closely with academic staff to integrate use of e-books effectively into learning and teaching, taking care that licence and access implications are better understood. The drivers to the use of e-books appear to be outweighing the barriers, although the latter will require considerable effort on the part of librarians within their institutions and also in terms of communicating concerns to e-book providers.


Author(s):  
Chrissi Nerantzi ◽  
Craig Scott Despard

In this paper we describe the use of LEGO® models within assessment of the Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice (PGCAP) offered at the University of Salford. Within the context of the PGCAP, we model innovative and contextualised assessment strategies for and of learning. We challenge our students, who are teachers in higher education (HE), to think and rethink the assessment they are using with their own students. We help them develop a deeper understanding and experience of good assessment and feedback practice in a wider context while they are assessed as students on the PGCAP. We report on an evaluation of how the LEGO® model activity was used with a cohort of students in the context of the professional discussion assessment. We share the impact it had on reflection and the assessment experience and make recommendations for good practice.


Author(s):  
Hilda Mary Mulrooney ◽  
Alison Faith Kelly

The physical configuration of the university campus impacts upon student learning and experience, and can be used to signal institutional priorities. The extent to which campus, particularly in post 92 institutions, is designed as opposed to evolving as older buildings are repurposed or replaced is variable. Student experiences and perceptions of the campus physical space are also unclear. This study aimed to explore student perceptions using qualitative methods. Data were collected during 8 focus groups from 37 participants. The majority were young and female, with considerable ethnic diversity. Six major themes were identified, many of which did not directly relate to the physical space itself. Rather the impact upon students’ emotional experience and engagement with the institution was emphasised. ‘Belonging’ was the most common theme; indicating that the nature of the physical space on campus is not neutral, but can affect the extent to which students can form attachments with each other and academic staff. ‘Nature’ was the second most commonly mentioned theme. Green space has therapeutic potential in stress management, important given mental health concerns in young people including students. The ideal campus as described by participants would include green non-smoking spaces with an emphasis on health promotion. Opportunities to include nature on campus should be taken, and future proposals to design the campus should canvas student views.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Klaas Berkel ◽  
Guus Termeer

The University of Groningen has been an international university since its foundation in 1614. The first professors formed a rich international community, and many students came from outside the Netherlands, especially from areas now belonging to Germany. Internationalization, a popular slogan nowadays, is therefore nothing new, but its meaning has changed over time. How did the University of Groningen grow from a provincial institution established for religious reasons into a top-100 university with 36,000 students, of whom 25% come from abroad and almost half of the academic staff is of foreign descent? What is the identity of this four-century-old university that is still strongly anchored in the northern part of the Netherlands but that also has a mind that is open to the world? The history of the university, as told by Klaas van Berkel and Guus Termeer, ends with a short paragraph on the impact of the corona crisis.


2007 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 301-316 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.A. Bekessy ◽  
K. Samson ◽  
R.E. Clarkson

PurposeThis paper aims to assess the impact and value of non‐binding agreements or declarations in achieving sustainability in universities.Design/methodology/approachA case study of Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) University is presented, analysing the reasons for lack of progress towards sustainability and evaluating best ways forward. Using a timeline and analysis of historical records for the 12 years since RMIT first engaged in the sustainability agenda, major trends in the process of implementing policies are identified. Secondly, 15 semi‐structured interviews with university leaders and key sustainability stakeholders from across the university are analysed to provide insight into how and why the university has failed to achieve sustainability.FindingsNew implications for successfully achieving sustainability arise from these findings. Accountability is a key issue, as RMIT appears to reap benefits from being signatory to declarations without achieving genuine progress. To ensure that declarations are more than simply greenwash, universities must open themselves up to scrutiny of progress to determine whether commitments have been honoured.Practical implicationsRelying on small‐scale “club” activities establishing demonstrations and raising awareness is unlikely to lead to permanent change. The evidence of RMIT's engagement with sustainability shows that, for example, even when successful pilot studies are conducted, these initiatives may do little to affect the mainstream practices of a university unless certain conditions exist. Furthermore, given the on‐paper commitments institutions have made, and the role of the university in society, small‐scale and gradual changes in university practice are a far from adequate response to the urgent sustainability imperative.Originality/valueThe initial engagement of RMIT University with the sustainability agenda 12 years ago marked it as a world leader in sustainability best‐practice. Analysing how and why such a disappointing lack of action has resulted from such promising beginnings provides insight into future directions for implementing sustainability in universities. The paper argues that considering the key responsibility of universities in leading the sustainability agenda, a more systemic and serious response is required.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 103-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oye Nathaniel David ◽  
A. Iahad N. ◽  
Nor Zairah Ab.Rahim

This paper examined the impact of UTAUT model and ICT theoretical framework on university academicians. The UTAUT model theory was verified using multiple regressions of the four constructs on behavioral intention to accept and use ICT by the Adamawa State University (ADSU) academic staff. The ICT theoretical framework reveals the connectivity between education and the independent variables, use of ICT, ICT infrastructure, staff development and ICT available tools as it brings transformation in education. We have verified the influence of the four UTAUT constructs on the behavioral intention of the university academicians towards the acceptance and use of ICT for teaching and learning. The UTAUT constructs significantly correlated with behavioral intention to use ICT. These are the factors associated with ICT acceptance and usage in Adamawa State University. According to our results Perceived Usefulness (PU) has R2 = .181 and significant with p-value .047(model 1), and Perceived ease of use (PEOU), has R2 = .270, significant with p-vale .000 (model 10). This has answered objective 1, which is to examine the factors associated with ICT acceptance and usage in (ADSU). The study confirms that the most influential UTAUT constructs influencing the behavioral intention of the academic staff to accept and use ICT is Effort expectancy (EE) in (ADSU)(model 10), with R= .519 and R2 = .270 ( Answered Objective 2). This study confirms the validity of the UTAUT model in the field context of a developing country‟s educational system. Knowledge gained from the study is beneficial to both the university academic staff and the ICT policy makers in developing countries.


2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmad Bashawir Abdul Ghani ◽  
Nor Idayu Mahat ◽  
Mohd Faizal Omar ◽  
Shahbani Abu Bakar

The COVID-19 pandemic took its toll on many countries in early 2020 after the first case was reported in China at the end of 2019. Malaysia was not spared either and the Government was forced to take a bold yet drastic measure in implementing the Movement Control Order (MCO) in earnest on 18 March 2020. The measure, akin to a lockdown, practically forced all forms of socio-economics and socio-educational activities to come to an abrupt stop. Schools, institutions of higher learning and training centers were directed to close its doors to students. Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) had to abruptly implement contingency plans in the wake of the negative impact brought about by the pandemic. Almost all academic activities had to be reorganized when majority of the students opted to return to the safety of their home environment, and the staff were required to work from home in compliant with the MCO. This development necessitated the University to introduce the remote learning mode in place of the traditional face to face learning and teaching (T&L). Various other strategies and measures were also introduced by the University which required reprioritization of tasks and determining possible risks that could impede normal daily operations. UUM opted for a holistic approach to address the impending concerns and to ensure the continuity of the education process and to address the wellbeing of its staff who are forced to work from home.


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