-
Connecting curriculum and community
Hannah TweddellPublic Engagement
15 June 2017
1
-
Today• What is Engaged Learning and why is it important?•
Models• Examples• Outcomes• Challenges• Activity• How we can
help
15 June 2017
2
-
What is engaged learning?• Students working with community
groups and
non-academic partners as part of their degree programmes•
Credit-bearing• Discipline related
3
15 June 2017
-
Why do it?• Increased focus on student employability and the
student experience
• Students’ needs from their education are also changing, with
students wanting to make valuable contributions to society
• Re-thinking in HE sector of the role of universities in
society
4
15 June 2017
-
5
15 June 2017
• Intern model• Recruitment• Relationship management• Report
writing
• Academic led model• Utilise University Networks
• Green Capital Partnership• Cabot Institute• Policy Bristol•
Voscur
Engaged Learning Models
-
Engineering, Social Policy and Geographical Science
6
15 June 2017
• Initially interns set up the placements scheme:
o Scoping potential community placements
o Contacting and liaising with community partners
o Co-designing feasible projects
• In-depth knowledge of the course
• Potential to inspire their peers
-
Environmental Policy and Management
7
15 June 2017
• From intern to academic lead• Dissertation Partnership Scheme•
Development of Consultancy Unit
• Team rather than individual• Presentations and report for
course and partner• 10% partner assessed
• Established relationships
-
NGO Business Planning
8
15 June 2017
• TB2 units in the development-related MSc programmes in the
School (2004)
• Practical approach to development• Hands-on experience in
dealing with development challenges
• Skills and knowledge developed and acquired during the unit.•
Weekly work in groups on case studies• Mid-term individual essay
(55% of the mark)
• Assessment of the units (45%) by a business plan (for a local
NGO/SME)
• Development of a new UG unit following the same pedagogical
approach and experience (2014)
-
NGO Business Planning
9
15 June 2017
• Public Engagement staff member• Brokering• Managing
relationships• Evaluation
-
NGO Business Planning
10
15 June 2017
Engage Award – Highly Commended
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5QbmzrItik
-
NGO Business PlanningOutcomes - students
11
15 June 2017
0
5
10
15
20
25
not at allenjoyable: 1
2 3 4 veryenjoyable: 5
I found the project enjoyable
2015 2016
0
5
10
15
20
25
no skills: 1 2 3 4 lots of usefulskills: 5
I learnt useful skills for potential employment
2015 2016
0
5
10
15
did notenrich mylearning: 1
2 3 4 enriched mylearning a
lot: 5
The project enriched my learning
2015 2016
0
5
10
15
did notenrich my
coursework:1
2 3 4 enriched mycoursework a
lot: 5
The project enriched my coursework
2015 2016
-
NGO Business PlanningOutcomes - partners
12
15 June 2017
0123456
1did not meet
myexpectations
2 3 4 5definitley met
myexpections
The students met my expectations
2015 2016
02468
1would not
recommend
2 3 4 5would
definitelyrecommend
I would recommend the project to other organisations
2015 2016
Chart1
00
00
00
00
00
#REF!
#REF!
I feel that the students' work has made a positive difference
for my organisation
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Chart1
00
00
00
#REF!
#REF!
Are the students planning on volunteering with your
organisation?
0
0
0
0
0
0
-
Outcomes
Students:• Enhanced student experience• Personal development•
Skills development• EmployabilityPartners:• Innovative ideas• New
perspective• Empowerment• Added resource• Perceptions of the
University
13
15 June 2017
-
14
15 June 2017
• Communication!
• Expectations
• Funding
• Time
• UG vs PG
Challenges
-
15
15 June 2017
Questions?
-
Mapping your area
16
15 June 2017
Where are there already units undertaking engaged learning
projects?
Where do you see spaces to incorporate opportunities in existing
units?
Are there opportunities for new units?
What links do you have to organisations that may be interested
in collaboration?
-
17
15 June 2017
• Navigating University requirements• Accessing potential
partners• Links to other academics• Evidence of success• Template
documents• Tool kit (under development)• Intensive initial set up
support if required• Seed funding
Public Engagement Support for Engaged Learning
http://www.bristol.ac.uk/media-library/sites/public-engagement/documents/PE%20seed%20funding%20guidance.pdf
-
Useful links
18
15 June 2017
• NCCPE – Literature review
• Vanderbilt University – Best practices in Community Engaged
Teaching
• University of Michigan - Knowledge and Skills across Engaged
Learning Courses
• Beyond the four walls: community-based learning and
languages
https://www.publicengagement.ac.uk/sites/default/files/publication/cbl_literature_review.pdfhttps://cft.vanderbilt.edu/guides-sub-pages/best-practices-in-community-engaged-teaching/http://thirdcentury.umich.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Clusters-of-Skills-and-Knowledge.pdfhttp://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09571736.2011.585402?src=recsys
-
Thank You!
19
15 June 2017
Hannah Tweddell –[email protected]
mailto:[email protected]
-
NGO Business PlanningOutcomes – students
20
15 June 2017
‘(The best thing was) to have access to a real NGO, to its
management documents and to see that we now have the necessary
tools to understand them.’
2016 student‘The best thing was to work with a real life NGO and
see their work in practice by visiting their headquarters.
Additionally, the potential that our recommendations could be
carried out.’
2016 student
‘(The best thing was putting) into practice our knowledge in
order to launch a community interest company.’
2016 student
‘I loved working with my NGO, it was the perfect conclusion for
the class and I felt really useful helping them with the business
plan, which was not easy for them to do’2015 student
‘(The best thing was) getting real life skills and experience
with a high level of autonomy. A very unique project which stands
out from essays on a CV. It feels like something that will be very
useful when applying for jobs, both as something to discuss in an
interview and experience which will be very useful in actually
doing a job. I would feel much more confident now doing work like
this again in a professional setting.’
2016 student
‘we were asked to write references for one to help them secure
an internship in America’2015 partner
‘(The best thing was) learning to communicate and seeing
passionate individuals helping the community’
2016 student
-
NGO Business PlanningOutcomes - partners
21
15 June 2017
‘(The best thing was) getting an 'outsiders' view of what / how
we can do something different’2016 partner
(It gave us) the space to reflect - and to objectively view the
business. It has also affirmed ideas I had - and opportunities
which were spotted by them - I have also recognised the
shortcomings in the business2016 partner
‘I felt part of a team - I felt it provided me with expertise in
a way - where I do not have the capacity to attend to so many
things which I know is necessary, but to be able to leave it in the
capable hands if young passionate students with the dedication to
complete and commit. I felt very supported.’ 2016 partner
‘it has been a really positive experience for the board to work
with the students. We felt through conversations and meetings they
really got to understand our business and produced a brilliant
business plan that is really going to help us going forward.’
‘…..board members still talk about their experience working with
the students and how much they enjoyed it. I feel it was a valuable
project and provided board members / students with the opportunity
to meet and work with different people and develop skills on both
sides.2015 partner
‘It has refreshed our thinking on the use of volunteers’ and we
have ‘adapted recruitment methods and management to better make use
of their potential skills’2015 partner
‘One of the students was very passionate and decided to become a
volunteer for me after the end of the project to put some of the
ideas into action.’2016 partner
Connecting curriculum and communityTodayWhat is engaged
learning?Why do it?Slide Number 5Engineering, Social Policy and
Geographical ScienceEnvironmental Policy and Management�NGO
Business Planning�NGO Business Planning�NGO Business Planning�NGO
Business Planning�Outcomes - studentsNGO Business Planning�Outcomes
- partnersOutcomes ChallengesSlide Number 15Mapping your areaPublic
Engagement Support �for Engaged LearningUseful linksThank You!NGO
Business Planning�Outcomes – studentsNGO Business Planning�Outcomes
- partners
