Transcript The student learning journey - University of Gloucestershire

A joint project sponsored by:
Centre of Excellence in Active Learning, University of
Gloucestershire
Academic Development and Practice Unit, University of
Worcester
Background
 Visit to the CeAL by members of Worcester ILS
 Common interest in independent student learning
 Development of social learning spaces at both universities
 Emphasis on active learning and e-learning
 JISC publication on the student experience
Rationale
 To discover how the learning environment impacts on the
student experience
 To identify students’ preferred ways of learning
 ‘Active learning’ is becoming a buzz phrase – does it occur
naturally?
 To evaluate support currently provided
What does the literature say?
 JISC projects on the ‘student voice’
 Goldfinch and Hughes (2007)
 Escalate project - Hearing the student voice
 Yorke (2008)
Methods...
 Funding obtained from each institution
 Merging of aims and objectives
 Determining the questions
 Deciding on the methods
 Selecting the sample groups
...Methods
 Expectations Questionnaire
 Expectations Focus Groups/Interviews
 Reflections Questionnaire
 Reflections Focus Groups/Interviews
 Tutor interviews
Findings - themes
 Location
 Timing
 Working Style
 Process
 Information Sources
 Technology
 Difficulties
 Study Support
 Teaching and Learning Activities
 Task Expectations*
 Skills Development*
 Process Reflection*
Findings - location
 “In my flat and in the library. Library so I can gain more
resources to help me, and in the flat because it is quiet.”
 “…….you’ve got your kit here, I’ve got my kitchen, Taylor’s got
his late at night Learning Centre.”
 “….until you hit a certain point when you work everywhere.”
Findings – working style
 “With others – less work more input.”
 “I don’t like the fact that with group work my grade is
dependent on other people.”
 “With others whilst gathering ideas... and then on my own... to
give me a chance to make my work stand out.”
Findings - process
 “I research it, then plan it – draft etc. Then write it up in
full.”
 “Start by [staring?] at the title on a blank page and look
for inspiration ‘Eye of the Tiger’.”
Joint projects
 Sponsors may have different priorities
 Co-ordination of work can be difficult if more than one
research assistant, but workload may be heavy
 Can add more depth to the research
Summary
 Timescale – still on track
 Dissemination – 2 internal conferences and 2 external
conferences and 1 journal article
 Future directions
Contacts
Sarah Kennedy
Learning Centre Manager, Francis Close Hall,
University of Gloucestershire
[email protected]
Allison Davis
Senior Information Adviser (Sport, Playwork and Performing Arts),
University of Gloucestershire
[email protected]