Not just a pretty face: putting the learning into the Learning Commons Rosie Jones

Encouraging learning Infrastructure

Encouraging learning Infrastructure Furniture

Encouraging learning Infrastructure Furniture Inspiration

Encouraging learning Infrastructure Furniture Inspiration Training room

…students have easy access to and from the Library and Student’s Union……………

Putting the Learning into the Learning Commons More than just a ‘pretty face’ Project role appointed Consultation Dedicated team

Learning Development Team Unique training programme Open learning materials Cross discipline Collaboration and partnerships

We will ensure that all students benefit from opportunities to acquire the core skills, knowledge and personal attributes necessary for employment and further study; we will prepare students for a range of career paths by … embedding employability in the curriculum, engaging students in employability and developing research skills. Manchester 2020: The skills agenda We will ensure that students are supported through the personalised learning policy, and we will invest in student retention through core skills support University of Manchester. (2011). Manchester 2020: The Strategic Plan for the University of Manchester. [Online]. Available at:

My Manchester Essentials My Learning Progression My Wellbeing Student Wellbeing My Employability Graduate Destinations

What's on offer: An Overview Open Programme: Students self-select the workshops and resources they use. There are online learning resources, formal workshops and informal face-to- face components. Some that are available are:  Academic skills  Employability skills  Digital/informational literacy Open Programme: Students self-select the workshops and resources they use. There are online learning resources, formal workshops and informal face-to- face components. Some that are available are:  Academic skills  Employability skills  Digital/informational literacy Tailored Programme Support: Curriculum-linked support of specific requirements. Blended offer of online learning resources supported by face-to-face workshops and skills clinics. Some that are available address:  Evaluating information  Finding information for dissertation  Referencing and EndNote Tailored Programme Support: Curriculum-linked support of specific requirements. Blended offer of online learning resources supported by face-to-face workshops and skills clinics. Some that are available address:  Evaluating information  Finding information for dissertation  Referencing and EndNote Online learning resources: open--->tailored

And …. Interview Skills CVs Careers in Publishing Job Search and Networking Online and Via Social Media Myers Briggs Type Indicator Interview Preparation: Using Business Databases Interview Skills and Confidence Professional Presentations via Pecha Kucha Academic Writing Revision and Study Skills Best practices for learning: learning styles workshop Get your ideas across: presentation tips and tricks New Additions: From the Search to the First Sentence A series of workshops on Research Skills Manchester Museum : workshop on visual presentation and putting into context Students as Partner's : Confidence in Learning ULC workshop on picking up a second language. 2.5 days on Leading groups and group research by PASS and Peer mentors. A mini-conference to assist with Presenting your ideas.

Options, not answers Focus on process of learning, not end result Built-in feedback from studentsfeedback Where do I go from here? Build on students’ own knowledge Give them the tools to find their own answers Encourage students to learn across disciplines

The pilot semester of the open skills programme During the pilot semester: 1) Delivered workshops to over 200 students from every faculty and across a number of schools. 2) Responded to student feedback and high demand to double the offerings of certain workshops. 3) Partnered with Careers and other providers to develop and design workshops to answer demonstrated student need.

Working in Partnership Joined up support for students, academically and beyond Central resource for students & staff Audit, analyse, improve

What Next? Design, develop, deliver—training & support Integrating tech area &reaching out to the wider community Rovers, a student support network, integration with degree programmes Launching My Learning Essentials E-learning offer

September 2013: Online resources Learning stylesUsing social media in educationPlagiarismPlanning your revisionCreating visual aids for presentationsTypes of information Sources of information Introduction to databases Planning your literature search Performing your search Evaluating information Referencing and EndNote Web Tailored programmeOpen programme

Find out more Rosie Jones: Jennie Blake: Nicola Grayson: