1. The University of Sheffield’s Vision for the HEAR
Dr Helen Tattam
AGCAS Formative HEAR Event
29 May 2014, University of Leicester

2. Overview Background to Sheffield HEAR Project
Strategies for supporting student experience & development/career planning
Key challenges
Your thoughts & experience
09/05/2018
© The University of Sheffield

3. Background Strong support from senior management & Students’ Union
Tied in with institutional learning & teaching strategy, including employability agenda & ‘Sheffield Graduate’ concept
Employability key aspect of SU development plan
Dedicated project support (University & SU)
Initial emphasis on 6.1 development & comms
HEAR roll out began with 1st years
09/05/2018
© The University of Sheffield

4. Strategies for supporting student experience & development/career planning
09/05/2018
© The University of Sheffield

5. Significance of the HEAR
A richer record that can be used to help evidence & articulate a wide range of experience
Official ‘snapshots’ before graduation as well as ‘exit’ HEAR
Employers expect to reap substantive benefits indirectly
The HEAR can be much more than a formal document offering evidence
09/05/2018
© The University of Sheffield

6. Significance of the HEAR
Presents academic & extra-curricular achievements together in a single formal document
Indicative of wider expectations now associated with higher education
Comprehensive scope makes it feel more relevant as a focus for students’ personal development planning
If electronically accessible from day 1, to both students & staff, the HEAR can help establish holistic student support
Working together towards a single aim, symbolised by the single reference point that the HEAR provides
09/05/2018
© The University of Sheffield

7. A continual reference point
Accessible to both students & staff online from day 1, to support...
progress review What’s in my HEAR so far?
development planning Where do I want to go? Can the HEAR help me? How? What do I need to do?
awareness of learning & skills, e.g. via descriptions of course & 6.1 activities
09/05/2018
© The University of Sheffield

8. Slide with large picture
09/05/2018
© The University of Sheffield

9. Promoting the student experience
Online database of verifiable activities
Activity verifiers as HEAR ‘champions’
Potential to bring together different aspects of the student experience & build community
Students can be a part of this as well as staff
Particular potential of social media?
Need to realise scope/limitations of HEAR
Not everything can be verified (but don’t worry)
Importance of CVs, personal statements, portfolios, references
09/05/2018
© The University of Sheffield

10. Encouraging reflection
Eventual summative status adds relevance & purpose to conversations about development
Students can take action to shape their HEAR
Can act as a focus for ‘bite size’ reflection
Embedding skills identification & reflection into 6.1 protocols as well as more general tutor discussions
09/05/2018
© The University of Sheffield

11. Key challenges Embedding the HEAR takes time
Establishing vision whilst managing expectations
Concept can be complicated to explain
Students do not add content directly - not like school record of achievement in this respect
Not just about Section 6.1
Need to differentiate from existing award schemes
Difficult to establish consistent staff engagement
(A lot of) staff need to understand concept as well
Personal tutoring different across departments
09/05/2018
© The University of Sheffield

12. Key challenges One size does not fit all
Avoiding adverse changes to behaviour, e.g. changing spirit of engagement & inviting box-ticking
Risk of 6.1 promotion adding too much pressure
Risk of 6.1 making students who cannot engage in same way feel disadvantaged (time-intensive/vocational courses, PT students, mature students, students with other commitments)
Do your comms reach all student groups?
Joining up comms across an institution is difficult…
09/05/2018
© The University of Sheffield

13. Your thoughts & experience
What are your aims for the HEAR?
What stage are you at?
What challenges are you faced with & how do you plan to tackle these?
Other thoughts
09/05/2018
© The University of Sheffield

14. Thank you h.l.tattam@sheffield.ac.uk 09/05/2018
© The University of Sheffield