Learning & Teaching Innovation in Challenging Times

1. University of Hertfordshire Learning & Teaching Conference 2012 Learning & Teaching Innovation in Challenging Times Innovative blended classroom/online assessment and development of employability skills; using a research based experiential learning simulation approach Veronica Earle, Steve Arnold, University of Hertfordshire

2. Embedding Employability and Enterprise skills into Curricula • The Problem • The Research • The Solution • The Impact • Experience it • Try it • Questions 2

3. The Problem – in general ‘The employability of our graduates is high on the agenda. As tuition fees rise, so too will students’ expectations of getting the best ‘return’ on their investment and data on graduate employment outcomes are likely to play a crucial role in informing future students’ choice of institution. At a time of increased competition for graduate vacancies (The report The Graduate Market in 2012 published in January 2012 by the independent think tank High Fliers suggests graduate applications to top employers have risen 19% in the last year), our students will rightly be seeking programmes of study that will enhance their employment opportunities. At the same time, demands are being placed on academics to make more time- and cost effective use of existing resources and networks, establish greater flexibility in the delivery and assessment of their course units, heighten the impact of their work, and work in partnership with employers and businesses. The on-going Wilson review is looking specifically at university-business collaboration, and the June 2011 White Paper underscored the importance of developing students’ enterprise skills’. Source: Higher Education Academy 3

4. The Problem – more specifically • Embedding Enterprise and Employability into Curricula • Online ‘plug-in’ programmes and learning resources: • Work Based Learning • Professional Practice • Industry Practice • MBA/graduate programmes 4

5. Embedding Employability and Enterprise skills into Curricula • The Problem • The Research • The Solution • The Impact • Experience it • Try it • Questions 5

6. Research Programme • ‘Experiential Learning and Skills Development’ (ELSD) • University of Hertfordshire • University of Cambridge • Deloitte • Sony • BBC 6

7. Research: Experiential Learning and Skills Development • WHAT: Common core skills for Enterprise and Employability 5. Commercial Awareness (CA) 7

8. The 9 Key Skills, Deloitte Model, SHL Great 8

9. Research: Experiential Learning and Skills Development • HOW: Learning & Teaching Theory • Experiential Based Learning and Profiling • Online Simulations • Authentic Experiences- Building Self Efficacy • Power of Feedback • Game Based Learning (GBL) • Learning Outcomes • Assessment • Immersive and engaging Activities … and have FUN!

10. Key findings from Research Programme Features required from research: Online and Plug In Experiential – CORE needs to be Authentic Simulation, engaging: e.g. Dragons’ Den Learning outcomes, activities, assessments aligned, efficient and credit bearing Output- Certificate, Skills Profile, EPortfolio A Diagnostic – MySkillsProfile An evidence log – MyEPortfolio 10

11. The Core Simulation 11

12. Embedding Employability and Enterprise skills into Curricula • The Problem • The Research • The Solution • The Impact • Experience it • Try it • Questions 16

13. Employability & Enterprise Skills Development The Solution “Success” MySkillsProfile PLUS™ * Exit Profiling and Development Final year MyBusinessAcumen™ Advanced Development Second Year (E) MBA MySkillsProfile™ Entry Profiling and Development First Year MyEPortfolio™ Student Journey * Includes Team and Leadership Potential Development As embedded into the curricula by the University of Hertfordshire

14. Embedding Employability and Enterprise skills into Curricula • The Problem • The Research • The Solution • The Impact • Experience it • Try it • Questions 20

15. Who is using it • University of Cambridge • University of Hertfordshire • University of Bristol • University of Liverpool • University of Southampton • Royal Veterinary College • Welingkar Institute of Management, India • Swinburne University of Technology, Australia • North Herts College • Secondary Schools • NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) 21

16. Case examples • University of Hertfordshire Undergraduates • Business School • First Year / L4 – “Enhancing Employability” module – 1000 students • Second Year / L5 – “Enhancing Employability” module – 1000 students • Second Year / L5 – “Enterprise” module – 1000 students • Second Year / L5 – “Accounting & Finance” module – 200 students • Creative Arts, Engineering, Law, Nurses, Education • University of Cambridge • Judge Business School – Executive MBAs • Postgraduates and Researchers 22

17. Encouraging feedback Students say: “It’s perfect, great fun and I learnt so much so fast” “I think this will really help me with my job prospects” “I know what I have to do now” Tutors say: “Easy to use, great for assessments and flexible to apply” “Seamless and swift to integrate into our existing courses” “Fast-track, experiential and more importantly fun” 23

18. Embedding Employability and Enterprise skills into Curricula • The Problem • The Research • The Solution • The Impact • Experience it • Try it • Questions 24

19. Experience the Student Journey MySkillsProfile MyEPortfolio MyBusinessAcumen 25

20. MySkillsProfile

21. The Personal Skills Profile - The output 27

22. The Personal Skills Profile - The output The 9 Key Skills 28

23. The Personal Skills Profile - The output Where you want to get to? 29

24. The Personal Skills Profile - The output Comparative Perceptions 31

25. The Personal Skills Profile - The output 32

26. Completion Certificate 33

27. MyEPortfolio

28. The ePortfolio – Carrying the value forward… • Standard Package: Evidence Log Only • Action Plan (Personal Development Plan) • Add & Map Evidence • Publish Evidence • Deluxe Package: Diagnostic (PSP) + Evidence Log Plus • Customised Competency Frameworks & 9 Skills Mapping • Tutor Evidence Tracking & Progress Monitoring • Review/Assess/Mark Evidence by examiners, mentors etc

29. MyBusinessAcumen

30. Embedding Employability and Enterprise skills into Curricula • The Problem • The Research • The Solution • The Impact • Experience it • Try it • Questions 37

31. Try it • New generation problem, new generation solution: • Now a core offering to all UH undergraduates as a blended learning experience as part of the curriculum. • Our request to you is to join our user community and help to develop our research base • Help make a difference for your students and create an impact. • Contact us to arrange a login 38

32. Contact us Veronica Earle - v.earle@herts.ac.uk Stephen Arnold - s.arnold1@herts.ac.uk 39