Hearing the student voice: using students to enhance professional development and inform academic practice in higher education Fiona Campbell, Napier University

Using the student voice in professional development Napier University experience

Impact on staff compelling inspired by hearing the students stories reminded me what were here for powerful stuff now that I know… I am going to… appreciate the courage that students have easy to relate to and think of the implications for teaching and learning

Value: students views (I gained) a feeling of accomplishment and relevance, people listened to what I had to say It created a platform for me to spell out my experiences I found the interaction between staff and students very beneficial I liked being listened to

Investigation of practice SEDA grant to conduct -Literature search -Survey of practice

The bringing together of faculty and students for discussion of the processes of teaching and learning in which they are jointly involved (rather than the usual focus on the content of the curriculum) is as rare as it is valuable. ( Asmar 1999)

Project aims (1) Investigate and promote the use of the student voice in informing academic practice by : 1.developing and evaluating case studies capturing and harnessing student voices

Case study development: capturing student voices

Case study development: harnessing student voices Contribute to: –Professional development workshops and seminars –Staff conferences Inform: –Curriculum development –Programme evaluation –Academic strategy

Project aims (2) Investigate and promote the use of the student voice in informing academic practice by : 2. sharing outcomes with the sector 3. building a community of practice.

Application process do get advice from ESCalate do follow ESCalate guidelines: – transferability – dissemination dont over-commit dont be fazed by evaluators comments

Balance development/ dissemination dont wait until development work completed before dissemination activities begin do focus on dissemination dont over commit do build on feedback from dissemination

Dissemination strategies: project-based do create project identity do develop project website do develop project materials do organise project events do use project reports as stepping stone for further publication

Dissemination strategies: external do participate at relevant conferences do contribute to relevant journals do accept invitations to present at other institutions internal events

Dissemination strategies: in-house do promote project internally do encourage participation at local project events do work with colleagues on project activities eg case studies do use the project activities as an in for other work with colleagues

Selecting development project area do choose motivating topic do consider transferability opportunities if possible, do select area where some initial work completed

Build a good team Liz Beasley Jenny Eland Fiona Campbell Ann Rumpus LMU UCE Napier Westminster

Build a good team do ensure enthusiasm for project do define roles do ensure members are willing and have time to contribute do keep in touch do meet regularly, document discussions and action points dont allow escapes!

Timing do start project early do develop timeline with milestones do update timeline as project develops do arrange dissemination well in advance do inform ESCalate of time slippages

Keep in touch with ESCalate do discuss application process do ask for assistance with dissemination activities do advise project changes do submit reports as requested

Do go for it! ESCalate development project: provides credibility for innovative activity gives a new dimension to work creates opportunities to meet and work with colleagues from elsewhere with shared interests offers stepping stone for further activity, new opportunities, career development …