As part of the University’s response to the QAA’s ‘First Year Experience’ Quality Enhancement Theme, over 40 academic staff met last week to consider ways of enhancing the learning experience of our 1st Year students.
Led by the Centre for Learning and Teaching, six discussion groups carefully tackled selected topics that are particularly relevant to the 1st Year Experience.
Groups were asked to share examples of good practice and offer practical solutions to identified issues within each topic. The topics for discussion included:
- Expected levels of attainment and feedback on students' progress
- Styles of assessment
- Generic skills for 1st year students
- Good practice in using references and avoiding plagiarism
- Peer-assisted learning
- Gathering and responding to student comment
Many exciting and novel ideas were shared amongst colleagues and the main recommendations were reported at the plenary session. These will be drawn together and disseminated throughout the University and will be used to inform University strategy with respect to the 1st Year Experience.
It is hoped that the real success of the workshop will be an obvious improvement in the learning experience of our students.