Research-informed teaching: a clinical approach Alex Nicholson

Research-informed teaching: a clinical approachAlex Nicholson

1. Context2. Definitions

3. Case Studies4. Suggestions

Outline

1. ContextHistoric perspectives

& predictions for the

next 50 years

EducationReligionLearningResearch

Then...

s.15 Universities of Oxford and Cambridge Act 1877

CompetitionNow

"...37,000 undergraduate courses..." (UCAS)

Removing the cap on student numbers

Now

Consumerism

"One third...believe they have received poor or very

poor value for money..."(HEPI, 2014)

EmployabilityNow

6 in 10 applicants go to university to improve

employment prospects(Which?, 2014)

2. DefinitionsWhat is "Research-informed

teaching"?

Write on a post-it note...

In one sentence or less, what does "research-informed teaching" mean to you?

"Research-led teaching" is a "vehicular idea", namely, one that was "fluid, diagnostic and explanatory, rather

than prescriptive"

H. Carr and N. Dearden (2012)

Students are participants

Students frequently are an audience

Emphasis on research

processes and problems

Emphasis on research content

Research-basedUndertaking research & inquiry

Research-tutoredEngaging in research discussions

Research-orientedDeveloping research & inquiry skills

Research-ledLearning about current research in the discipline

Griffiths (2004), Healey (2005),Healey and Jenkins (2009)

KnowledgeSkills

Experience

KnowledgeD. Fox, "Personal theories of teaching" (1983)

8:2 Studies in Higher Education 151-163

M. Prince, "Does Active Learning Work? A Review of the Research" (2004) 93(3) Journal of

Engineering Education 223-231

R. Havelock, "Law studies and active learning: friends not foes?" (2013) 47:3 The Law Teacher

382-403

Skills"There is virtually no suggestion that specific legal knowledge beyond the core is necessary or even desirable, and some firms are at pains to stress that they have no preferences in this

field."V. Bermingham and J. Hodgson (2001)

ExperienceMimicking practice in our teaching and learning

methods.

KnowledgeSkills

Experience

3. Case StudiesCase Study 1 - Private Practice

RiT in Practice

1. Practitioner attempts to verify his/her own knowledge through research.

2. Practitioner instructs the junior lawyer to conduct legal research on the point in question.

3. Practitioner begins by providing at least some background information on the legal issue or the research methodology required.

4. The junior lawyer then conducts the research, discussing progress with the practitioner and exchanging ideas at appropriate intervals.

DISSEMINATE

DISCOVERDRAFT

DISCUSS

Teaching/Research

(Research-led / Research oriented)

(Research-tutored)

(Research-based)

(Research-based)

3. Case StudiesCase Study 2 -

Hallam Law

RiT in Hallam Law - The Process

1. Students interview real clients with real legal problems.

2. Students brainstorm areas of law and research questions ("research-based").

3. Students conduct research independently ("research-based").

4. Students report their findings to peers and their tutor during a weekly "firm meeting" at which findings are discussed ("research-tutored").

5. The research output is typically a letter of advice.

RiT in Hallam Law - Challenges

1. Matching client need, student need and staff expertise.

2. Other "law firm" activities.

Could the clinical approach work on a traditional

academic module?

4. SuggestionsA clinical approach to

traditional, academic modules

DISSEMINATE

DISCOVERDRAFT

DISCUSS

Teaching/Research

(Research-led / Research oriented)

(Research-tutored)

(Research-based)

(Research-based)

RisksK. A. Gresty, W. Pan, T. Heffernan & A. Edwards-Jones, "Research-informed teaching from a risk

perspective" (2013) 18:5 Teaching in Higher Education 570-585.

D. Fox, "Personal theories of teaching" (1983) 8:2 Studies in Higher Education 151-163, p.160.

Dealing with the Risks1. Explain the benefits.

2. Keep it practical.

By adopting a clinical approach to more orthodox, academic modules, it may be possible to develop and deliver research-informed teaching in a way

that will (and crucially will be perceived by students to) enhance employability.

Key Message

Could a clinical approach to RiT work

on your module?

Research-informed teaching: a clinical approachAlex Nicholson