scholarly journals Building Bridges: The Effective Learning Adviser as Trans-cultural and Cross-Disciplinary Communicator

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 180-187
Author(s):  
Julia Bohlmann
Keyword(s):  
Academic Writing ◽  
International Student ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Learning Enhancement ◽  
Writing Classes ◽  
Effective Learning ◽  
Learning Development ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The University ◽  
Uk Higher Education

Out of 31,060 students currently enrolled at the University of Glasgow, about 25% are classed as international, reflecting a nationwide trend. In response to this situation, researchers and practitioners have stressed the need to improve the way universities accommodate multicultural student bodies. At the University of Glasgow, such efforts manifest in an expansion and diversification of the department facilitating student learning development: The Learning Enhancement and Academic Development Service (LEADS). LEADS is home to two Effective Learning Advisers (ELAs) who work with international students from all subject disciplines. Their work entails the creation and delivery of academic writing classes, the development of electronic resources and one-to-one tutorials. Due to the diversity of the international student cohort in terms of educational, cultural and subject backgrounds, a significant proportion of the international ELAs’ day-to-day job is to explain generic academic writing conventions pertinent to the UK Higher Education context to those coming from other educational cultures. Their role then is that of multicultural and cross-disciplinary communicators. This article outlines and reflects on the professional practice of the international ELAs and seeks to stimulate discussion around appropriate and effective practices of teaching academic writing to students from a multiplicity of backgrounds and disciplines.

scholarly journals Unwaged Posts in UK Universities: Controversies and Campaigns

2015 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 533-553 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kirsten Forkert ◽  
Ana Lopes
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Trade Unions ◽  
Creative Industries ◽  
Early Career ◽  
Higher Education System ◽  
Use Of Social Media ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The University ◽  
Uk Higher Education

This article examines unwaged posts at UK universities, using recent examples of advertised job posts. While unpaid work is common in the UK higher education system, unwaged posts are not. The posts under scrutiny in this article differ from traditional honorary titles as they target early career academics, who are unlikely to have a paid position elsewhere, rather than established scholars. The article contextualizes the appearance of these posts in a climate of increasing marketization of higher education, entrenching managerialism in higher education institutions, and the casualization of academic work. We also discuss resistance to the posts, arguing that the controversy surrounding unpaid internships in the creative industries created a receptive environment for resisting unwaged posts in academia. We analyze the campaigns that were fought against the advertisement of the posts, mostly through social media and the University and College Union. We explore the tactics used and discuss the advantages and limitations of the use of social media, as well as the role of trade unions in the campaigns against these posts, and we reflect on what future campaigns can learn from these experiences.

scholarly journals The Real-Time REF Review: A Pilot Study to Examine the Feasibility of a Longitudinal Evaluation of Perceptions and Attitudes Towards REF 2021

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Netta Weinstein ◽  
James Wilsdon ◽  
Jennifer Chubb ◽  
Geoff Haddock
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Research Assessment ◽  
Research Assessment Exercise ◽  
Perceptions And Attitudes ◽  
Education Community ◽  
Stern Review ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The University ◽  
Uk Higher Education

The UK first introduced a national research assessment exercise in 1986, and methods of assessment continue to evolve. Following the 2016 Stern Review and further rounds of technical consultation, the UK higher education community is now preparing for the next Research Excellence Framework – REF 2021.Despite its importance in shaping UK research cultures, there is limited systematic and nuanced evidence about how academics across the sector view the REF, and which aspects are viewed favourably or unfavourably. The aims of this pilot study were twofold: first, it was designed to gather initial data to address this evidence gap; second, it was aimed at testing the feasibility of conducting a longitudinal study into academic and managerial attitudes towards the REF. We argue that further research to better understand the effects of the REF on research cultures, institutions, and individuals should be part of the evidence used to inform the development of future iterations of the exerciseThe Real Time REF Review Pilot Study was developed and delivered by a research team from Cardiff University and the University of Sheffield, in collaboration with Research England.

A Case for Integration

Gamification ◽  
2015 ◽  
pp. 1865-1880
Author(s):  
Alex Moseley
Keyword(s):  
Game Design ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Assessment Method ◽  
Assessment Practice ◽  
Full Study ◽  
Assessment Of Student Learning ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Intended Learning Outcomes ◽  
The University ◽  
Uk Higher Education

There is growing interest in assessment of student learning within education, not least because assessment practice within some sectors (the UK higher education sector for example) is stagnant: many courses designed independently to the assessment method and assessed through a small number of traditional methods. Games-based learning has shown little deviation from this pattern – games themselves often removed from assessment of the skills they are designed to teach, and in the worst cases from the intended learning outcomes: gamification being a particularly formulaic example. This chapter makes the case for an integrated approach to assessment within learning games and the wider curriculum, drawing on elements within game design that provide natural opportunity for such integration. To demonstrate and evaluate such an approach, integrated assessment case studies (including a full study from the University of Leicester) are presented and discussed.

scholarly journals The IMPEL Project at the University of Northumbria at Newcastle: background, methodology and progress.

2013 ◽  
Vol 19 (62) ◽  
pp. 5-10
Author(s):  
Catherine Edwards ◽  
Joan M Day ◽  
Graham Walton
Keyword(s):  
Library Management ◽  
Project Impact ◽  
Group Of Seven ◽  
Initial Stage ◽  
Academic Librarian ◽  
Special Expertise ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The University ◽  
Uk Higher Education ◽  
Head Of Department

The IMPEL Project (IMpact on People of Electronic Libraries) is now into its second year. The project's focus, succinctly expressed by its title, is on the human implications of increased provision of information by electronic means, all too easily neglected at a time when technology is developing faster than it can easily be assimilated. The project grew out of it's leaders' personal and professional interests, those of a Head of Department of Information and Library Management and of a practising academic librarian; it is strengthened by such collaboration. A Steering Group of seven, each with acknowledged special expertise, meets regularly and provides guidance and support; the value of their input cannot be underestimated. This initial stage of IMPEL concentrates on qualified librarians in the UK higher education sector, laying the groundwork for possible future study of other groups and related aspects of the phenomenon commonly referred to as the 'electronic library'.

scholarly journals Open Badges to Encourage Class Representatives’ Reflection and Achievement-Sharing: A Case Study from Edinburgh University Students’ Association (EUSA)

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanya Lubicz-Nawrocka
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Pilot Project ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The University ◽  
Uk Higher Education ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Leadership And Change ◽  
Negotiation Problem

This case study describes how Edinburgh University Students’ Association (EUSA) worked in partnership with the University of Edinburgh’s Information Services division to implement one of the first Open Badge schemes used in the UK higher education sector. Based on student feedback, EUSA developed an effective Open Badge model to recognise and reward students’ work as Class Representatives. The paper describes EUSA’s model of badges, badge criteria and implementation, before focusing on qualitative examples of the positive impact of this pilot project for both individual students and for the Students’ Association. It provides examples of how students reflected thoughtfully about the impact of their work as Class Representatives to develop skills in negotiation, problem solving, diplomacy, leadership, and change management. EUSA’s Open Badge scheme now rewards students for sharing their achievements. In turn, students’ Open Badge blog posts have helped EUSA to gain more meaningful insights into the broad work of Class Representatives and how students benefit when they engage fully with the role.

scholarly journals Maria's story - the narrative of a mature international student

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Hamshire ◽  
Kirsten Jack ◽  
Alicia Prowse ◽  
Christopher Wibberley
Keyword(s):  
International Student ◽  
Academic Community ◽  
Personal History ◽  
First Year ◽  
Academic Challenges ◽  
University Life ◽  
Different Dimensions ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The University

This study examines in-depth the experiences of a mature, international student during her first year at university in the UK, to explore the different dimensions of her learning transitions.  The aim was to gain an in-depth understanding into the factors that influenced a student's on-going development and transformation over their first year; therefore we adopted a narrative exploration / inquiry as a means of collecting data.Maria's narrative is complex and atypical of the majority of the students in the cohort, yet it details the personal, social and academic challenges that can constitute the first year at HE; as personal history and expectations have a varying degree of influence on an individual's transition.In line with other research, this case study shows that students integration into the academic community, combined with peer support is crucial if they are going to settle into university life. The transition to HE is an on-going process and lasts longer than the initial weeks of the formal induction offered by the university.

scholarly journals Making the second year count: embedding learning development in a progressive student journey

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pat Hill ◽  
Amanda Tinker
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
First Year ◽  
Approach To Learning ◽  
Perceptions Of Students ◽  
Second Year ◽  
Learning Development ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Uk Higher Education

In over a decade of working on embedding skills within the curriculum, it became apparent to us that the second or intermediate year was rather neglected in terms of intervention.  Across the UK higher education sector, focus has been on supporting first year transition and final year projects (Yorke, 2015; Whittle, 2018). The aim of this paper is to explore a progressive approach to learning development within the curriculum which ensures that the second year is fully exploited in terms of bridging the gap between first and final years. Focus groups were used to investigate perceptions of students, subject specialists and learning developers and the subsequent issues are thematically analysed and discussed. Two case studies are then used to demonstrate the design of a curriculum which supports a collaborative and progressive approach to student learning in which learning developers can play a key role. 

scholarly journals Room 101: A Movement towards Social Learning Spaces? A Survey of SAC Managers in UK Higher Education

2015 ◽  
pp. 124-137
Author(s):  
Michael Allhouse
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Social Learning ◽  
Mobile Devices ◽  
Learning Spaces ◽  
Learning Space ◽  
Physical Resources ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The University ◽  
Uk Higher Education ◽  
Valuable Role

As more and more self-access facilities face up to the challenge of shrinking budgets and responding to the ubiquity of mobile devices for learning, Michael Allhouse’s column examining the movement towards social learning that has taken place at the University of Bradford reminds us that such centres have a valuable role beyond providing access to physical resources. In this final instalment of his three-part series, Allhouse examines the provision of self-access in UK Higher Education, in order to determine to what extent Room 101’s journey towards becoming a social learning space is reflected in other centres around the country. By widening the scope of his research to examine not only the attitudes of learners at his own centre, but also wider trends across the UK, he reveals a diverse picture of self-access, and one in which social learning plays a vital and growing role.

scholarly journals Making connections and building resilience: Developing workshops with undergraduates

2017 ◽  
pp. 404-418
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Education Sector ◽  
High Achieving Students ◽  
Financial Pressure ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The University ◽  
Uk Higher Education

While defining resilience is recognised as complex with recent research highlighting the disparity of interpretations, there is however, a common appreciation of the wide range of contributory factors impacting on students’ resilience within the Higher Education sector. These can include but are not limited to, an increasingly competitive environment for graduate jobs, increased financial pressure from student tuition fees, alongside the more traditional concerns of moving away from home and transitioning towards greater independence. Building on previous research at the University of Surrey with high achieving students, this paper outlines the development and delivery of a student focused workshop designed to enable the participants to build their understanding of resilience using different but complementary pedagogic approaches: LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® and Concept Mapping. The case study included within this paper demonstrates one student’s reflection of the workshop and previous experiences which have contributed to their own resilience. What has become apparent at the University of Surrey, and more broadly within the UK Higher Education sector, is that universities have a vital role to play in fostering positive mindsets amongst students and developing strong and resilient independent learners.

An unfinished masterpiece: special collections in the Book Library of the Courtauld Institute of Art

2010 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 18-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erica Foden-Lenahan
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Art History ◽  
Reading Room ◽  
Research Papers ◽  
Special Collections ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The University ◽  
Uk Higher Education ◽  
Courtauld Institute

The Courtauld Institute of Art, a college of the University of London, is one of the foremost centres to study art history in the UK. Like a giant Matruschka doll, the Book Library at the Institute is a specialist art library that contains within it special collections which, in turn, have individual bequests that also contain discrete rare collections. In addition to more than 7400 books catalogued online, it has a range of material that is yet to be catalogued onto the Aleph system, some of which remains inaccessible. The special collections also contain the research papers of several notable former members of staff, and a number of small archive collections that have been donated over the years. Without a dedicated reading room, the special collections feel more integrated into regular use within the library. This gives students a taste of research with historic books, but there are some inherent risks associated with such relaxed usage conditions. This article examines the origins of the Library and its place in the Institute today. It reveals the breadth of its special collections and some of its treasures, but also explains how the present funding crisis in UK higher education may harm the custodial role the Book Library has over this unique research resource.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document