Expectations, Experiences and Encounters in HE and

HE in FE – The 3E’s

a collaborative project between HEI’s and FEC’s in the NW

June 12th 2009

Key Focus

• Network aims - learning, teaching, research• Dissemination, development and sustainability • Extending and enhancing the subject expertise within

ADM’s audience• Promoting constructive exchange between HEI’s and

FEC’s

Key areas of activity for the network

• Involving more staff in the NW

• Gaining student and staff views of the 3E’s

• Learning from process and practice in HE and HE in FE

• Sharing good practice through critical reflection on collaborative research

Areas of investigation

• Pre-entry• On-entry• On-course• On-completion*(Community Arts, Design, Fashion, Fine Art, Graphics, Illustration, Marketing,

Media, Music, Multimedia, Photography, Textiles)

Expectations

Student expected…… • Good education & degree• To get a good job• Good educational environment with good facilities Student appreciated…… • Contact staff and students• Information • Friendly environment• Tours of facilities• Group work & social events  Issues…… • Feedback • Balance work & social activities• Group sizes • Larger institution / halls• Overseas students

Experiences Student appreciated…… • Induction activities• Visits & European Trips• Industrial knowledge• Guidance, input & support• Great relationships with staff• Broad approach to teaching Issues…… • Accommodation• Support• More feedback• Student staff interaction• Course activities • FE• Facilities

The North West Group of the Universities of Bolton, Central Lancashire, Chester, Manchester and Cumbria with Blackpool and Fylde, Bradford, Burnley, Stockport and West Cheshire colleges.

Encounters Student appreciated…… • Workshops• Group sizes• Course introduction• Skills• Group work, social events and projects• Friendships Issues…… • Halls / HE area• Overseas students• FE• Trips• 1 to 1• Overview 

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The North West Group of the Universities of Bolton, Central Lancashire, Chester, Manchester and Cumbria with Blackpool and Fylde, Bradford, Burnley, Stockport and West Cheshire colleges.

The North West Group of the Universities of Bolton, Central Lancashire, Chester, Manchester and Cumbria with Blackpool and Fylde, Bradford, Burnley, Stockport and West Cheshire colleges.

Expectations

College•Small friendly environment•Locality•Smaller groups

•The chance to improve employment prospects and wage.•Staff industrial experience and approachability.

•Up to date facilities.

University•Professional facilities•Extended access•University culture

Issues: •Do Non-specialised institutions take ‘The Arts’ seriously?

Experiences

Students enjoyed:• the induction activities.

•the communication between staff/students.•The support from staff.

•The external projects and commissions.

Recent film project‘If Only…’Edinburgh Film Festival 2009

Encounters

Students enjoy:•working on creative projects with peers.•social events.•workshop sessions.Issues:•More trips•More 1 to 1 sessions with tutors•Separation from FE

Students recently developingexternal projects

The North West Group of the Universities of Bolton, Central Lancashire, Chester, Manchester and Cumbria with Blackpool and Fylde, Bradford, Burnley, Stockport and West Cheshire colleges.

Expectations Student comments were

emotive

… friendly, welcoming, included

High expectations

at pre-entry largely met…

Staff, facilities, resources

Allaying fears

…Relaxed, informal,

calming

Encounters Transformative Experience … life changing, positive

Fun…excitement

Staff… Helpful, encouraging

Frustration…bored, stilted start, tedious

Experience (the continuum)

Positive…confidence,

encouragement, belonging

Negative perceptions… no man’s land

Overall findings

• Student expectations were largely met through their experiences and encounters

• Importance of the flexible environment to meet diverse needs

• Further debate needed around expectations of student autonomy

Recommendations• Learn from pre-entry approaches including the interview process• Use students as part of interview and visits to feeder institutions• Ensure communication with students is clear and available through

a range of channels• Develop induction approaches that ensure parity for all students and

which consider diverse student needs• Do not assume student independence is as high as anticipated• Highlight the key role of student support

Reporting Mechanisms• URL

http://www.adm.heacademy.ac.uk/projects/adm-hea-projects/the-3Es-project-student-expectations-experiences-and-encounters-with-he

• Individual partnership reports• Overall project report

Reflections on collaborative research

• Sharing good practice• Serendipity, informality, formality• Developing research capacity• Motivational experience• Reflection on research activity• Developing relationships

Next steps

• Further network development

• Potential project topics developing from this for further discussion within the network