Centre for Academic Practice
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://eresearch.qmu.ac.uk/handle/20.500.12289/29
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Item Supporting staff transitions into online learning: A networking approach(Edinburgh Napier University, 2018-09-05) Peacock, Susi; DePlacido, ChristineAs online programmes in higher education continue to grow in number, the literature identifies emerging areas of concern. Whilst appreciating the flexibility and accessibility of online learning, learners often experience challenges in balancing their professional and personal lives whilst studying. In addition, such students have complained that their online educational experiences may be irrelevant and inappropriate, with tutors having limited presence or interest. Online learners’ experiences are contingent upon the skills and characteristics of the tutors, who face the challenges of changing and developing practices, such as taking a more student-centred approach in order to provide opportunities that foster deep learning. Current, familiar practices may no longer be appropriate. There is a need to support tutors as they develop and expand their practices, facilitating familiarity and confidence with the opportunities afforded by a range of technologies. Research indicates that communities of practice as a form of staff development may assist tutors in this transition. This paper shares the early experiences of a recently formed Network for online tutors at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, Scotland. This community of practice was based upon an adapted Community of Inquiry Framework (Peacock & Cowan, 2016). The Network, endorsed by management, was launched in 2017, with two co-leads, one from an educational development unit and one from the School of Health Science. Sub groups, all led by members of the Network, were subsequently developed to look at specific aspects of online delivery and development within the University. The purpose of the Network and the successes achieved in the first academic year are outlined. The challenges arising in the early stages of implementing the Network are reported, and proposals for progress in the next academic year are discussed. Finally, suggestions are offered to those embarking on a similar endeavour.Item Evaluation of the Angus Gold Project (a partnership approach to digital education and social inclusion) RF 8/2008(Queen Margaret University, 2008-10-24) Ward, Richard; Ferguson, Julie; Murray, Sue; Scottish GovernmentThis Research Findings provides a brief summary of findings from an evaluation of Angus Gold, (a digital inclusion initiative allied to a broader programme of health education and improvements by engagement with services of the 50+ population) piloted in Angus between March 2004 and late 2007. It identifies lessons learned.Item Approaches to APEL in France and the UK: Holism versus Empiricism?(Staffordshire University, 2005) Pouget, Mireille; Oberski, IddoThe APEL (Accreditation/Assessment of Prior Experiential Learning) systems in the UK and France are probably the best developed in Europe, but they are underpinned by different conceptions of learning and experience. In this article, we attempt to understand the two different approaches to APEL within the framework of Goethe's 'natural phenomenology', which essentially attempts to understand phenomena in their own right, without analysing them into parts. An initial analysis would suggest that in the UK the APEL process reflects a conception of experience and learning as being built up of a number of smaller units. In France, on the other hand, the process involves instead a more holistic approach to the evaluation and understanding of experience and learningItem Framing development: concepts, factors and challenges in CPD Frameworks for academics.(2009) Bamber, VeronicaThe National Pay Framework in UK universities has brought not only new pay arrangements, but the expectation that reward, recognition and appraisal systems will also be 'modernised', and that frameworks for staff development will connect in with these. This paper considers whether generic continuing professional development (CPD) frameworks are appropriate for academic activities, and contributes to the debate on reward and recognition for teaching. Finally, the paper offers recommendations on what CPD frameworks might look like in university cultures in which academics still expect autonomy and discretion over their own deveItem Learning and Teaching in the Disciplines: Challenging Knowledge, Ubiquitous Change(Routledge, 2012-01) Bamber, Veronica; Bamber, Veronica; Saunders, Murray; Trowler, PaulThe 'tribes and territories' metaphor for the cultures of academic disciplines and their roots in different knowledge characteristics has been used by those interested in university life and work since the early 1990s. This book draws together research, data and theory to show how higher education has gone through major change since then and how social theory has evolved in parallel. Together these changes mean there is a need to re-theorise academic life in a way which reflects changed contexts in universities in the twenty-first century, and so a need for new metaphors.Item Learning and Teaching, Disciplines and Social Practice Theory(Routledge, 2012-01) Bamber, Veronica; Bamber, Veronica; Saunders, Murray; Trowler, PaulItem Academic practices and the disciplines in the 21st century(Routledge, 2012-01) Trowler, Paul; Saunders, Murray; Bamber, Veronica; Bamber, Veronica; Saunders, Murray; Trowler, PaulItem They should try to find out what the children like;exploring engagement in childhood(University of Stirling, 2008) Stephen, Christine; Cope, Peter; Oberski, Iddo; Shand, PeterThis paper is an account of an exploratory study of the perspectives children and teachers hold about the learning experiences and pedagogical activities which engage primary and secondary school learners. The investigation was prompted by the apparent contrast between the enthusiastic, self-initiated engagement observed in preschool playrooms and the efforts teachers report as necessary to engage older pupils. A review of our interrogation of the literature on disposition to learn and motivation is followed by a description of our empirical work to explore the ways in which the main actors in classrooms make sense of engagement in learning. Our findings suggest that for the children engagement stems from active involvement, enhanced by a perception that there is some scope for freedom of action and opportunity for choice. On the other hand, the perspectives of the teachers were focused on participation in learning activities selected and led by the teacher and carried out in a way which meets the adults' expectations.Item How do diverse groups of learners in the health sciences respond to a new virtual learning environment?(Queen Margaret University College, 2005-06) Peacock, Susi; Hooper, Julie; Learning Teaching Support Network for Health SciencesAims of the project In the original proposal, the stated aims of this research were to: 'Investigate learners' responses to their first exposure to a new learning experience in a VLE Examine learners' attitudes to the VLE as an effective learning environment through the project Compare and contrast attitudes to a VLE in two different physiotherapy programmes.' Objectives of the project The main objective of the research (as stated in the original proposal) was to provide a detailed analysis into the experience of two specific and differing physiotherapy student cohorts who were new to using VLEs in the learning experience. We aimed to: 'Provide an overview of the literature on the use and value of VLEs in the health sciences. This will focus specifically on initial learner attitudes to Information Technology in learning Conduct a study exploring students' reactions to, and participation in a VLE during the lifetime of the project Identify issues in preparing students in the use of a VLE drawn from diverse groups Evaluate the findings of the study which will: Review students attitudes to the use of a VLE in physiotherapy programmes Highlight individual, social and technical barriers for the meaningful implementation of the VLE from the student perspective Consider the potential for VLEs for the health science community as a whole as well as to the individual lecturer Raise awareness, throughout the duration of the project, of the potential roles of VLE in improving students learning.'Item Using feedback and ePortfolios to support professional competence in healthcare learners(AABRI, 2012-07) Peacock, Susi; Scott, Alison; Murray, Sue; Morss, K.This article presents a learner-centric approach to feedback for healthcare students based upon current research literature and the authors' own research into student experiences of feedback using ePortfolios. Feedback is essential for all learners but for healthcare learners failure to engage with feedback may impact on patient care with potentially life-threatening consequences. Therefore, the aim of this practical approach is to support learners in the development of their professional competency and identity through deeper and broader engagement with feedback facilitated through learner-generated internal reflective and external dialogues. Such an approach requires learners to broaden their conceptual understandings of feedback, embracing its different forms and types regardless of when it is provided and by whom. Learners are also required to become active agents in the feedback process seeking out feedback opportunities in all their learning environments within and outwith academia. Fundamental to the approach is the ePortfolio providing a highly flexible, integrative environment for learners to create, record, collect and collate feedback over a period of study which can be used for reflective dialogue, appraisal of current progress and to plan for future learning activities. Practical tutor guidance is provided and the suitability of this approach for other disciplines is also discussed.