Claire Dickerson, Roger Levy & Joanna Teague

University of Hertfordshire

IPDA International Conference 2007

Enhancing the support for students’ reading at Master’s level

Context• 2005-2010 £315 million from HEFCE to 74

Centres for Excellence in Teaching and Learning

• The UH CETL is the Blended Learning Unit (BLU)

‘The University of Hertfordshire is one of the first 9 universities to take part in the national Higher Education Academy sponsored Pathfinder initiative.’

• Change Academy for Blended Learning Enhancement 1 (CABLE 1) 2006-7

Enable 6 Schools to embed transformative changes in blended learning

From e-learning to blended learning

End of the last century

Considerable expectation and excitement concerning the growth of e-learning on the back of the information and communication revolution.

This century

Blended learning ‘the thoughtful integration of classroom face-to-face learning experiences with online learning experiences.’ Garrison and Kanuka (2004)

Blended Learning at UH is about “harnessing technology to enhance teaching, learning and assessment”

Why focus on M level reading?

• CPD Programme periodic review• External examiner f/b• Student voice in team• Building on UG reading

research

Focus on 2 CPD modules:

1. Managing ProfessionalDevelopment 30 creditApr-Jun 07

2. Practice Based Project60 credit Jul 07-May 08

School of Education at UH

RUFDATA evaluation

Reason: If & how we achieved

our aims

Uses: Support student reading

understand change management

Focus: Process & outcomes to Jul 07

Data: Documents, email Q’aire,

f2f interviews , module evaluation,

Group discussions & team meetings

Audience: BLU, HEA, HE sector

Timing: May-July 07

Agency: Research Fellow with

members of SoE and CABLE team

Communication for empowerment

Communication

• among the team

• with SoE colleagues

• with BLU critical friends

• during the project

• not just on completion

• and in varied forms.

Space for empowerment • ‘The residential was really good - because we were

away - able to really focus and talk through issues as we perceived it.’

Teamwork for empowerment• Greater confidence about linking up with BLU• ‘Now they know us and we know them… increased

communication in the future will build on this mutual trust and respect…’

• ‘Putting a face and personality to a name and title has been invaluable.’

• Greater focus on listening to the student voice in relation to learning and teaching.

• ‘The opportunity to work with an excellent group of colleagues on an identified issue.’

Increased confident with blended learning

• Greater awareness of the potential of the use of ICT in learning and teaching

• Greater confidence in the use of some ICT

• Greater awareness of what others understand about blended learning and their levels of skills, awareness and attitudes to blended learning

• Seeing more clearly the potential for the use of ICT in learning and teaching.

Times Higher Awards 2007

• CABLE Nominated for ‘Outstanding Contribution to Leadership Development’

Further links

• BLU homepage

http://perseus.herts.ac.uk/uhinfo/info/blu/blu/blu_home.cfm

• J.E.C.Dickerson@herts.ac.uk• R.Levy@herts.ac.uk• J.Teague@herts.ac.uk

• CABLE presentation to HEA

http://perseus.herts.ac.uk/uhinfo/info/blu/blu/projects/cable-pathfinder.cfm