Newcastle University Teaching and Learning Conference 4-8 July 2011 ‘What we are good at’ Suzanne Cholerton Pro-Vice-Chancellor Learning and Teaching

Session Introduction and Conference overview What we are good at Our offer Research –informed teaching How do students perceive research? How does research benefit the student experience?

‘What we are good at’ - The Events Monday 4 July – How does Research benefit the Student Learning Experience? - Conference Opening and Workshop – Student Representation – What’s the Point?! Tuesday 5 July – The Assessment Roundtable Discussion including Advanced e-Assessment techniques Wednesday 6 July – Evidencing Employability Skills – Technology Thursday 7 July – Solvers Workshop – E-Learning - What does 'good' look like? (UNITE) Friday 8 July – Does where you teach matter? – Learning and Teaching 'Cocktail‘ – EQUATE Poster Session

So what are we good at? Ranked top 20 in UK for student experience National Student Survey rating of 87% for overall satisfaction ncl+/skills development Consistently strong graduate employability record

Why is it important to know what we are good at? – Changing basis of funding of Higher Education: Reduction of Government funding and increased reliance on student fees Need to convince students and their advisers of the value of the programmes and student experience we offer – Need to comply with changing Government expectations on supporting informed choice: Key Information Set, with related implications for visibility of information on contact hours, NSS scores and employability – The need to articulate our offer – Opportunity to share good practice – Evidence base for personal development/reward & recognition

Key Elements of the Offer Coherent programme Research informed teaching Skills development Support for academic & personal development Supportive assessment and feedback Minimum contact time Active membership of university community Good standard teaching and learning facilities Opportunities for e-learning

OfferStudent experience

Key Elements of the Offer Coherent programme Research informed teaching Skills development Support for academic & personal development Supportive assessment and feedback Minimum contact time Active membership of university community Good standard teaching and learning facilities Opportunities for e-learning

Research-informed teaching Students will learn about current research in their discipline area Experience teaching approaches and material informed by pedagogical research be involved in the research culture of the academic unit undertake research, e.g. through dissertation or projects learn ‘enquiry skills’ and about research processes through which knowledge is produced have opportunities to learn research skills

The nature of undergraduate research and inquiry Healey and Jenkins (2009)

Why is research-informed teaching a key element of our offer? Research intensive university Russell Group member Research can impact positively on the student experience

What do our prospective students know about research?

What’s most important to prospective students? Course content and reputation Reputation of academic staff Academic reputation of the University ‘Higher Expectations’ Opinion Panel syndicated market research report The Prospectus: web v mobile v print, by Edintell NUS Student Experience Report 2008, funded by HSBC

Perspectives of current students Choice of modules reduced because lecturers on research leave Several of my modules offered many research opportunities My research project was really brilliant They'd rather be doing their research than teaching Very much enjoyed being part of a team of researchers in my final year Better at research but don’t make good lecturers Staff stuck in their own world of research Friendly and enthusiastic staff who are actively involved in research NSS 2010

How does research benefit the student experience? (group discussion activity)

Priorities for action As individuals At programme/subject/academic unit level At Faculty or University level