rethinking the personal tutor system sec feb 2015

Presentation to UWS Student Experience Committee (SEC)

‘Personal Tutor Seminar’ Feb 2015

Student support and guidance: reimagining the personal tutor system at UWS

School of Media, Culture & Society

Dr Neil McPhersonAssistant Dean (Education)

Challenges:

Visibility & consistency

Engagement & participation

Diversity of learner needs

Information and misinformation

Learning in instruction mode: educational & institutional hierarchies

Q.11: I have been able to contact staff when I need toQ.12: Good advice was available when I need to make study choicesQ.19: The course has helped me present myself with confidence

Benefits:

Educational guidance

Pastoral care

Personal development

• Progression and retention (see Thomas 2010)

• Belonging and ‘fit’

• Security and safety

Student support and guidance: reimagining the personal tutor system

A partnership model for student support and guidance

Heggie & McPherson 2014

A methodology & model for learning in partnership

A partnership model for student support and guidance

“…partnership working recognises that all members in the partnership have legitimate, but different, perceptions and experiences. By working together to a common agreed purpose, steps can be taken that lead to enhancements for all concerned. The terms reflect a mature relationship based on mutual respect between students and staff”

(QAA 2012: 5)

Disrupting hierarchies Sharing ownershipSupporting engagementPromoting belonging

A partnership model for student support and guidance

“Challenge - all parties are encouraged to constructively critique and challenge practices, structures and approaches that undermine partnership, and are enabled to take risks to develop new ways of working and learning”

(HEA 2014)

Disrupting hierarchies Sharing ownershipSupporting engagementPromoting belonging

HEA. 2014. Framework for partnership in learning and teaching. York, HigherEducation Academy.

QAA. 2012. UK quality code for higher education chapter B5: Student engagement draft for consultation, Gloucester: QAA.

References