Newcastle UniversityTeaching and Learning Conference 4-8 July 2011

‘What we are good at’

Suzanne CholertonPro-Vice-Chancellor

Learning and Teaching

Session

• Introduction and Conference overview• What we are good at• Our offer• Research –informed teaching• How do students perceive research?• How does research benefit the student

experience?

‘What we are good at’ - The Events• Monday 4 July

– How does Research benefit the Student Learning Experience? - Conference Opening and Workshop – Student Representation – What’s the Point?!

• Tuesday 5 July– The Assessment Roundtable Discussion including Advanced e-Assessment techniques

• Wednesday 6 July– Evidencing Employability Skills– Technology

• Thursday 7 July– Solvers Workshop– E-Learning - What does 'good' look like? (UNITE)

• Friday 8 July– Does where you teach matter? – Learning and Teaching 'Cocktail‘– EQUATE Poster Session

So what are we good at?

• Ranked top 20 in UK for student experience

• National Student Survey rating of 87% for overall satisfaction

• ncl+/skills development

• Consistently strong graduate employability record

Why is it important to know what we are good at?

– Changing basis of funding of Higher Education: • Reduction of Government funding and increased reliance on student fees• Need to convince students and their advisers of the value of the programmes

and student experience we offer

– Need to comply with changing Government expectations on supporting informed choice: Key Information Set, with related implications for visibility of information on contact hours, NSS scores and employability

– The need to articulate our offer

– Opportunity to share good practice

– Evidence base for personal development/reward & recognition

Key Elements of the Offer

Coherent programme

Research informed teaching

Skills development

Support for academic &

personal development

Supportive assessment and

feedback

Minimum contact time

Active membership of university community

Good standard teaching and

learning facilities

Opportunities for e-learning

Offer Student experience

Key Elements of the Offer

Coherent programme

Research informed teaching

Skills development

Support for academic &

personal development

Supportive assessment and

feedback

Minimum contact time

Active membership of university community

Good standard teaching and

learning facilities

Opportunities for e-learning

Research-informed teaching

Students will

learn about current research in their discipline

area

Experience teaching

approaches and material informed

by pedagogical research

be involved in the research culture of the academic

unit

undertake research, e.g.

through dissertation or

projects

learn ‘enquiry skills’ and about

research processes through which knowledge

is produced

have opportunities to learn research

skills

The nature of undergraduate research and inquiry

Healey and Jenkins (2009)

Why is research-informed teaching a key element of our offer?

• Research intensive university• Russell Group member• Research can impact positively on the student

experience

What do our prospective students know about research?

What’s most important to prospective students?

• Course content and reputation• Reputation of academic staff• Academic reputation of the University

• ‘Higher Expectations’ Opinion Panel syndicated market research report 2009-10• The Prospectus: web v mobile v print, by Edintell • NUS Student Experience Report 2008, funded by HSBC

Perspectives of current studentsChoice of modules reduced because

lecturers on research leave

Several of my modules offered many research opportunities

My research project was

really brilliant

They'd rather be doing their research than

teaching

Very much enjoyed being part of a team of researchers in my final year

Better at research but don’t make

good lecturers

Staff stuck in their

own world of research

Friendly and enthusiastic staff who are actively

involved in research

NSS 2010

How does research benefit the student experience?

(group discussion activity)

Priorities for action

• As individuals

• At programme/subject/academic unit level

• At Faculty or University level