Teaching during Covid – Kathleen Murphy-Hollies and Maggie Hardiman

Navigating difficulties teaching in a new online world. Teaching at a university often feels like a forgotten role. However, teaching has become an unexpected love story that has formed alongside our studies. We are two PhD students who teach while also conducting our research. As this term comes to a close, we’ve been reflecting and … Continue reading “Teaching during Covid – Kathleen Murphy-Hollies and Maggie Hardiman”

Do digital pre-lab resources improve students’ experience of lab work? – by Joseph Berry (HEFi)

As part of the Collaborative Teaching Laboratory (CTL) project the University is investing in digital pre-lab resources. These resources will be in three main formats: instructional videos, virtual labs and 360-degree lab tours. Instructional videos aim to demonstrate either a specific technique or an entire practical procedure. Virtual labs are interactive resources, often two-dimensional simulations, … Continue reading “Do digital pre-lab resources improve students’ experience of lab work? – by Joseph Berry (HEFi)”

Supporting Learners’ Digital Needs: Content-led Pedagogy – by Dr Victoria Goodyear (School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences)

Digital technologies have been heralded as providing new opportunities to transform education, learning and teaching. For example, education can be delivered at mass scale, boosting recruitment, income generation and international reach; learning can be more mobile, accessible and personalised; autonomous and self-motivated forms of learning can be promoted; and digital and online learning are cost-effective … Continue reading “Supporting Learners’ Digital Needs: Content-led Pedagogy – by Dr Victoria Goodyear (School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences)”

Providing an inclusive environment for learning – by Lesley Batty

The notion of inclusivity is not new, despite the rather dramatic increase in its use within the past few years. Human beings have always had the desire to ‘belong’ and we see that in all parts of life, whether that be following a particular football team or within a family unit.  It is not just … Continue reading “Providing an inclusive environment for learning – by Lesley Batty”

Beyond good intentions: sensitivity to students’ diverse backgrounds in the hard sciences – by Dave Smith (School of Mathematics)

The importance of cultural and racial sensitivity in subjects such as English, History, Politics, Law, and Fine Art seems obvious – they have culture and human life at their centre. But what about in the cold, hard world of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics)? When preparing, delivering and assessing our courses can we simply … Continue reading “Beyond good intentions: sensitivity to students’ diverse backgrounds in the hard sciences – by Dave Smith (School of Mathematics)”

What is ‘inclusive education’ at a selective, research-intensive university? By Nicola Gale and Matthew Francis

While universities play a variety of important social and economic roles, one of the most important is helping young people fulfil their intellectual potential and thereby achieve their ambitions. Yet, although universities have a clear duty to promote the participation of students from all backgrounds, students from some backgrounds remain under-represented across higher education, while … Continue reading “What is ‘inclusive education’ at a selective, research-intensive university? By Nicola Gale and Matthew Francis”

Student Futures Competition – Announcement of Winners

Thank you to all those who entered the Student Futures Competition, as part of the Big Conversation. The panel were very impressed by the quality of the entries that were submitted. The winning, and commended, entries can be found below and we would encourage colleagues to read and engage with the visions expressed. Winners Jenna … Continue reading “Student Futures Competition – Announcement of Winners”