1. Foundation Degrees in Computing Sylvia Alexander S.Alexander@ulster.ac.uk

2. Overview Questionnaire How can the Academy help?

3. FD Questionnaire 18 responses –14 Full-Time basis. –7 Part-Time basis –3 both Full-Time and Part-Time courses. Duration –Each of the institutions that offer Full-Time only - 2yrs to complete. –Those that offer Part-Time only - vary between 3 & 4 years to complete –Those that offer both Full-Time and Part-time - 2yrs for Full-Time and 4yrs for Part-Time.

4. Who does what? PlanningValidationDeliveryAssessment University/HEI14161011 FE College111014 Professional Body3413 Sector Skills Council4311 Industrial representative9836

5. Development Costs 15 responses HEI only - 4 HEI and FEI - 9 HEI, FEI and Skills Council - 1 HEI, FEI, Skills Council and Professional body - 1

6. Mode of Study ModeNo. respMaxMinAv Lectures1660522 Seminars/tutorials1750718 Self-study1654525 Directed on-line study935515 Project Work1335214 PBL625516 Only 1 respondant allocated time to distance learning ( 5%)

7. Forms of Assessment Used Individual assignments18 Group assignments17 Work-based assessment14 Class tests14 Formal end of module exams (closed book)16 Formal end of module exams (open book)9

8. Skills formally taught and specifically assessed Communication skills15 Team working15 Problem solving11 Time management13 Business awareness9

9. Student Support Regular face-to-face meetings with academic staff. E-mail exchanges with academic staff. Telephone conversations with academic staff. Work based mentors. Access to a Virtual Learning Environment.

10. Support for PDP Personal Academic Tutor One to one tutorials –Course, year, placement & personal academic tutors, coupled to employer Group discussion sessions Dedicated module (Professional development) Business and professional development, WBL, project work Study Skills Unit Work-Place Facilitator fulfils mentoring role. Induction Online personal profile Life coaching skills Careers - job application CV etc

11. Joining the Honours Degree 12 respondants said that students would join the Honours Degree in pre final year. 6 join in Final Year. 50% of respondants said that students would be placed on a bridging programme.

12. Liaison with Employers Profile of the employer(s) engaged in the planning / delivery of the Foundation Degree. –14 responses –5 Large regional/national employers. –8 Local SME –1 Multi-national employer. To what extent were the employer(s) consulted in the course design? –16 responses –9 had general discussions only. –4 had specific input to less than half of the modules. –1 had specific input to over half of modules. –2 had specific input into all modules.

13. Meetings with Employer monthly1 once per semester4 twice a year1 once per year3 when the need arises1 employers act as consultants through review of the course proposal 1 no such meetings occur6

14. Work Based Learning 14 respondants allocate time to work based learning. –Max 40% –Min 3%. –Average 16%. split' between work-based learning and academic learning highest percentage allocated to Work Based Learning - 75% highest percentage allocated to Academic Learning - 100%. average allocation for Work Based Learning - 21% ( Academic Learning - 79%).

15. Work Placements Do participating employer guarantee suitable work placements for the students? –No - 13 –For some - 3 –For all – 2 No single instance where any form of formal partnership agreement exists with the employer(s) Do academic members of the teaching team have the opportunity to update their (relevant) industrial experience? –16 respondes (6 – No, 10 Yes).

16. Assessment of the Work-based Component Who is involved in the assessment of the work-based component? –17 responses –Mainly academic staff - 11 –Academic staff only – 6 Are employers given any training in assessment procedures? –Not necessary - 10 –One-off session - 2 –As and when requested - 6

17. Issues Collaboration across sectors –Mutual understanding and appreciation of differences Work based learning Local/access orientation –Mature students Flexible delivery –pastoral care –student support –skills provision Progression –HE –employment

18. FE Issues Lack of critical mass –Staff (p/t), students –Resources Teaching workload limits time for staff development HE culture –Instigating, planning, managing –Recruitment –Delivery –HE level assessment

19. How can the Academy help? Dedicated website Dialogue –discussion list (cross sector) Staff development –Workshops, regional seminars, on-line Case studies of god practice External examiners Others?

22. Any Questions?

23. Thank you for your attention! For further information….. S.Alexander@ulster.ac.uk heacademy-ics@ulster.ac.uk http://www.ics.heacademy.ac.uk/