ALT- CONFERENCE APRIL 2017

Group work assignment in Law: Equipping learners for work? Dr Maribel Canto-Lopez micl1@le.ac.uk

The presentation Context of this work Where does it fit? Research Questions Methodology Some findings Your suggestions

Context of this work

Context of this work This activity started 3 years ago. It is part of a 1st year core subject ‘Introduction to Law’ with a cohort of 469 students (429 in the 2nd Semester). AIM of the exercise is for learners: Develop the ability to work effectively as part of a group In researching, analysing and presenting legal information Professionally in the form of an advice letter to a client The assignment consists on 2 Lectures ( 1 by Law, 1 by Careers); a presentation by Law Firm and 1 tutorial + lots of independent work by the groups. Letters are assessed and the group that produces the ‘best’ one is sponsored to a day in the London Law firm for training, all inclusive.

Where does it fit?

Where does it fit? 3rd Nov 16 the HEA published that according to UKES only 51% of undergraduates felt they had the skills to ‘ready them for work’. Literature Review: Bring a broader base of empirical inquiry? Berger &Wild (2016) , datasets from registry/ others 12 – 131 students questionnaires. Add other skills: like group work and professional writing to work by Turner et all (2016) (learning through skill-based approach) Hannaford (2016), Assessment in HE, post-graduate level/ 1st year. Dickerson et all (2016), learning on relation to employability, perception of their own learning and that of others. (qualitative data)/ add quantitative data. The assessment of “wicked” competences’, Knight and Page (2007) holistic way: employability + self-confidence/ Turner (2014) self-belief/ Masika & Jones (2016) social participation. Add Collaboration with Careers and top Law firm.

Research Questions

Research Questions EQUIPPING LEARNERS FOR WORK? Are we motivating students into acquiring and/or understanding the importance of employability skills? Have we enhanced students’ confidence and experience on team work skills and on their learning? Are we equipping students as workers and learners? Are we equipping them to gain confidence in the process?

+ Methodology Quantitative Method (Questionnaire) Qualitative Method (Focus Groups)

Methodology (Quantitative Data)

Methodology (Quantitative Data) 340 QUESTIONNAIRES BACK OUT OF 429 STUDENTS (2ND SEM)

Methodology (Quantitative Data)

Methodology (Qualitative Data)

Methodology (Qualitative Data) Thematic Analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006).

Methodology (Qualitative Data) EQUIPPING LEARNERS FOR WORK Questions in Focus Groups gravitated around: Organisation of the activity, Group dynamics, Their learning in the process, Skills and Employability and Well-being in general. Themes: Process of equipping: External input (lectures, tutorials, prize incentive…) Initiating self-equipping (own group meetings, own rules…) What are students equipped with after the activity: Skills (team-work, professional writing, better CV…) Reflections on their group and individual learning Subject knowledge Confidence Keeping students equipped for their future

Some findings Prevalent themes emerging from the focus groups PROCESS OF EQUIPPING: External input: activity too early on the year Initiating self-equipping: got to know each other better STUDENTS EQUIPPED WITH: Skills: Professional writing, (so cool!) Learning: Mixed answers Subject: Letter content too easy, not challenging. Confidence: Word used in all groups, for different achievements KEEPING STUDENTS EQUIPPED: Massive emphasis on continuing with group work now they know each other and the dynamics.

Your suggestions

THANK YOU!