Category: Interesting Practice

Personal Academic Tutoring (PAT)

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The Personal Academic Tutoring system at the University of Worcester sits at the heart of the student experience and impacts directly on student retention and attainment. We have been developing a model of PAT referred to as ‘working in partnership’ that we know is founded on best practice. As a result a number of useful resources and case studies have been produced. We have also updated the guidance on the University PAT web pages. There is also a Personal Academic Tutoring Guide with more information. The web pages include: * A link to the policy * Guidance – the role of the PAT; the role of the student; guiding principles; working in partnership; theoretical underpinning of working in partnership model *Examples of practice, including three… Read morePersonal Academic Tutoring (PAT)

Vignette of Practice: Level 2+ Award Programme by Craig Williams; School of Sport and Exercise Science

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Level 2+ Award Programme by Craig Williams; School of Sport and Exercise Science     This case study provides an overview of the rationale for, and impact of the ‘Level 2+ Award Programme’, an accredited Sports Coaching Award Programme at the University of Worcester (UW). Launched in 2011, the programme provided students with the opportunity to achieve recognised vocational qualifications within a mandatory first year coaching module (SPRT1024). The embedded Level 2 coaching award programme was designed to develop vocational coach education qualifications for UW students, which provided affordable and flexible vocational learning whilst also enhancing student employability and placement readiness. The blended learning aspect of the program permitted students to accredit prior learning gained in the module towards the Nationally accredited 1st4sport Level 2… Read moreVignette of Practice: Level 2+ Award Programme by Craig Williams; School of Sport and Exercise Science

Vignette of Practice – Graduate Employment: Increasing Student Employability Through Applied Lifelong Learning

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Graduate Employment: Increasing Student Employability Through Applied Lifelong Learning by David Mycock;  School of Sport and Exercise Science   This case study demonstrates the innovative and inspiring work I have done as the SSES Course Leader for the BSc. Sports Coaching Science with Disability Sport. It summarises my attempts to increase practical teaching, learning and employment opportunities for students on this study pathway. Graduate employment is one of the key Teaching Excellence Framework drivers for universities and this driver motivated me to more closely align my teaching activities and learning priorities with developing employability skills and opportunities. Additionally, I wanted to clearly articulate to inquiring students the answer to a question frequently asked; “What job will this course allow me to do”? The University of… Read moreVignette of Practice – Graduate Employment: Increasing Student Employability Through Applied Lifelong Learning

Accessible Organisations – Supporting learning providers in creating inclusive teaching and learning experiences

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So, you want me to read for my degree? Considering a Universal Design for learning approach to reading through the use of audiobooks and accessibility tools By Jisc accessibility and inclusion July 20, 2019  Inclusive Digital Capability, Learner Experience, Library, Uncategorized It seems logical to those of us working in higher education that students need to read for their degrees. Yet research indicates this isn’t so obvious to students themselves, with patterns of student reading not reflecting the approach and skills needed to succeed in HE. In this blog post, Michelle Malomo and Sarah Pittaway from the University of Worcester explore ways of reducing barriers to reading. Taking this starting point, initial (currently unpublished) research with a group of Early Years students at the University of Worcester highlighted that students often perceive reading as a skill… Read moreAccessible Organisations – Supporting learning providers in creating inclusive teaching and learning experiences

Student Transitions Project Report

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Developing Institutional Good Practice in Transitions’ Support through Pre-entry, Induction and Learning Support Activities The first phase of the project was completed in May 2019 and a report presented at the July LTSEC. We would like to draw to your attention in particular to two sections of the report, which course teams might find particularly useful when planning Level 4 Transition activities. To see the full report please click here

Vignettes of practice: The Implementation of Weekly Assessment Related Portfolio Tasks to Improve Student Engagement and Achievement During a Student’s 1st Semester at University

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 Michelle Morgan; School of Sport and Exercise Science This case study demonstrates the innovative practice used in relation to the implementation of weekly assessment related portfolio tasks used within a 1st year module (K2). This had a positive impact on student engagement, achievement and attendance in lectures; and supported student transition to University (V4 A4). The reasons for adopting a portfolio approach, specifically for this cohort included; engaging students in a routine of attending classes on a regular basis (A1), building relationships with new peers and, encouraging the students to complete their assessments in smaller, bite-sized sections which would potentially be a more familiar approach to them (as closely aligned to BTEC course work approach) (K2 V1). The portfolio tasks related to the topic of… Read moreVignettes of practice: The Implementation of Weekly Assessment Related Portfolio Tasks to Improve Student Engagement and Achievement During a Student’s 1st Semester at University

Vignettes of practice: The Goldilocks Theory for Quantitative Research Methods

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Miranda Harris; School of Allied Heath and Community     Teaching is a set of activities, carefully fashioned to facilitate learning (HEA, 2018b) with success typically measured by Student Satisfaction (Office for Students, 2018). By responding directly to student feedback three years ago, on how students engaged with quantitative methodology in Research Methods, I was presented with an opportunity for innovation and transformation using a more student-centred approach in order to prepare students effectively for their dissertations. Interactive workshop approach: Drawbacks of the traditional lecture may be lack of active participation, a potential obstacle to deeper learning (Tofade et al. 2013), and from the Higher Education Provider’s (HEP’s) perspective, difficulty in ascertaining student comprehension, as students may be reluctant to voice queries or areas of… Read moreVignettes of practice: The Goldilocks Theory for Quantitative Research Methods

Supporting Transition for Direct Entry Students – Report now available

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The Project ‘Supporting Transition for Direct Entry Students’ has published its findings and examples of effective practice in a Guide for Staff ‘Improving Direct Entry Student Experience of Transition to Top-Up/Honours Degree’ (July 2019).  The Project set out to identify the key challenges and factors that may impede successful transition and establish ways to improve experiences of ‘Direct Entry/Top-Up’ students entering an Honours Degree. Based on research, students’ views of their transition experience and the personal experiences of staff working with Direct Entry students, the Guide aims to provide practical advice for course leaders and staff who deliver Top-Up degrees or encounter students who enter Honours Degrees at Level 5 or Level 6 (Direct Entry students) with a view to improving students’ experiences of transition… Read moreSupporting Transition for Direct Entry Students – Report now available

University of Worcester Shortlisted for Three National Sustainability Awards

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The University of Worcester has been shortlisted by the Green Gown Awards for three national sustainability awards, including Sustainability Institution of the Year, Campus of the Future and Reporting Categories. Please click on the link below for the full article: https://www.worcester.ac.uk/about/news/2019-university-of-worcester-shortlisted-for-three-national-sustainability-awards 

Vignettes of Practice: Design and delivery of a new Module – GEOG1123 Climate Change People Policy and Action

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Dr Sian Evans and Dr Matthew Smith; School of Science and the Environment This case study demonstrates how we designed and delivered a new 15 credit L4 geography module ‘GEOG1123: Climate Change: People, Policy and Action’, with a specific focus on constructive alignment (Biggs, 2003), student engagement (Coates, 2006 p. 17, Kahu, 2013, Bryson, 2014 p.3), and active learning (Prince, 2004, Michael, 2006). The module was developed in line with UW’s Policy & Regulatory Framework, Learning and Teaching Strategy 2015 – 2018 and Technology Enhanced Learning Strategy 2015 – 2019. Our goal was to take the students on a journey of discovery of the topic as well as themselves by developing their personal reflective practice and enhancing their ability to become independent learners. Critical to… Read moreVignettes of Practice: Design and delivery of a new Module – GEOG1123 Climate Change People Policy and Action