Challenging, frustrating and out of my comfort zone…but I’ve learnt so much! Rita Headington University of Greenwich

Setting the scene  New course design  Social constructivist content  Social constructivist approach  Vygotsky (1978) – “able other”

Joint report  Maximising use of placement experiences  Ensuring discussion  Individual identification of ‘theory in practice’  Joint analysis to compare and contrast the two experiences  First assignment support on using criteria, referencing, submission etc

Preliminary work  Cycle of support from peers and tutors  Content through blended learning ‘units’ incorporating: Introductory lecture Online workshops and activities individual, with peers (eg reading groups, discussion areas), online submission and feedback from tutor Student presentation with peer and tutor feedback and tutor-led seminar

Preliminary organisation  Sign-up sheet with restrictions  Support for pairing

Outcomes from the tutors’ perspective  Quality and content of work  Grades from 118 students Range 37-78% Spread  30-39%: 2  40-49%: 8  50-59%: 32  60-69%: 59  70-79%: 18 Mean 61.86%

Outcomes from the students’ perspective The joint report was very useful as it helped me to compare different schools on how they work, as it is not every year I will be in the same sort of school. Thought the joint report was very useful in many ways as it encouraged deeper reflection and understanding of my school experience. It was good to compare our thoughts. It was nice to write an essay with another person as they can give different perspectives that you may not have thought of It was interesting from the academic writing perspective to actually witness how someone else tackles planning, drafting and other processes… I found this assignment to be challenging and sometimes frustrating…as it took me completely out of my comfort zone…I like to complete essays on my own. However I am very glad that I have completed it as it has taught me quite a lot about working with someone else…it was satisfying knowing that we got a good end result working together that we were both pleased with…I found that I learned new methods, ideas and ways of doing things from my partner which I am really grateful for.

Issues and next steps  Late organisers  Time management  Pacing the writing process  Dependence on another  Shared grade