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This presentation discusses the academic engagement challenges faced by students and staff, focusing on bridging the gap in learning and teaching approaches. It explores aspects like active learning, critical thinking, formulation of thoughts, and academic writing. The session covers issues such as student responsibility, staff communication, teaching critical thinking, and encouraging intellectual accountability. It aims to provide insights and strategies to enhance academic engagement and success in a diverse learning environment.
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Mind the Gap! Dr Christine Laennec & Dr Mary Pryor, Senior Academic Skills Advisers Student Learning Service Centre for Learning & Teaching January 2008 Curriculum Reform Presentation to Steering Group
Introductions • Student Learning Service works with students: • at all levels of study (UG, TPG, RPG), across the university • at all levels of academic achievement • in groups (workshops, in-course sessions) and individually (study advice sessions) • How many? Approximately 2000 in 2006-07 • Ourselves: • Job share (.5 each) • Work closely with CASS, because of arts backgrounds Curriculum Reform Presentation to Steering Group
Introductions • This presentation: • Will look at 5 aspects of academic engagement that pose challenges both for students and for staff – the gap to be bridged • Will address considerations of the ‘how’ of learning and teaching, more than the ‘what,’ as a crucial part of the process of Curriculum Review / Reform Curriculum Reform Presentation to Steering Group
Challenges facing students: Taking responsibility for own learning (for some) Breaking with past experience of ‘spoon feeding’ Challenges facing staff: What to assume as a starting point? Mixed group teaching (some students well-practiced in independent learning) How / when / who to help? Mind the Gap!Active Learning Curriculum Reform Presentation to Steering Group
Challenges facing students: Difficulties with this term: ‘Who am I to criticise?’ ‘Am I allowed to give my opinion?’ May have been discouraged from questioning Challenges facing staff: Communicating expectations discipline-specific at different levels Mind the Gap!Critical Thinking Curriculum Reform Presentation to Steering Group
Challenges facing students: Little practice of discussion / debate Living in culture of the sound-bite Often difficulty with vocabulary and basic English grammar Challenges facing staff How to encourage discussion? How to encourage critical thinking in discussion? Living in working environment / culture where being articulate is taken for granted Mind the Gap!Formulation & articulation of thought Curriculum Reform Presentation to Steering Group
Challenges facing students: Often only versed in directed / supported writing Lack of practice with writing discursively / analytically Lack of reading experience Challenges facing staff: How much guidance to give? (How much do you assume?) Being explicit about expectations Differentiating between generic and discipline-specific expectations Mind the Gap:Academic Writing Curriculum Reform Presentation to Steering Group
Challenges facing students: May previously have been rewarded for ‘cut and paste’ In some cultures, unacknowledged citation is seen as respectful ‘How can I have anything to say – all I know is from other people!’ Challenges facing staff: What does it mean to expect students to ‘do their own work’? How to teach accountability (and thus avoid plagiarism) without terrifying / inhibiting students? Mind the Gap:Intellectual Accountability Curriculum Reform Presentation to Steering Group
