The wider picture: Graduates for the 21st Century

“Enhancing legal education in Scotland”, 5th November 2009Alastair Robertson, HoPP, ScotlandHigher Education Academy

Outline

HE today and the changing nature of the student learning experienceChallenges for the next 10-15 yearsIn the news this week...Scottish focus:

Graduates for the 21st CenturyStaff for the 21st Century and professional development

The Changing Nature of the Student Learning Experience 1

A changing student population More part-time, mature and international students More in part-time employment or based in the work place More articulation between further and higher education Desire for more vocational-based qualifications, enhancing

graduate attributes….

Greater internationalisation Of the curriculum The student body Of staff Of subject and institutional associations and Of institutions

The Changing Nature of the Student Learning Experience 2

New Financial challenges For students, institutions and funding bodies

Increasing collaboration with and competition from international providers

Institutional diversity Types of student Programmes offered Level of resources Focus of mission Learning experiences offered More mergers?

The Changing Nature of the Student Learning Experience 3

Continuing challenges to academic value and new demands on academic staff Changing expectations of academic roles Balancing research, teaching and administrative roles

and values placed on these by institutions Desire for greater student engagement The changing nature of academic disciplines and

trans-disciplinary approaches New ways of relating to business and the professions Target-driven cultures?

The Changing Nature of the Student Learning Experience 4

The use of technology Web 2, social networking sites (myspace,

facebook, flickr, bebo, twitter etc), e-portfolios Digital natives versus digital immigrants Changes in delivery, student support

Legislative changes Including equality and diversity and employment

law

Challenges for the future Increased expectations (govt, employers and students) Resources and infrastructure Flexibility of offer International issues Student engagement Postgraduate issues Student preparation Assessment Workforce Quality, standards and diversity

Teaching and the student experience

Moving forward: three point plan

Reform curriculum and assessment

Develop a more flexible workforce

Rethink quality and engage students

This week.... Tuesday: New framework for HE in

England announced: “Higher Ambitions- the future of universities in a knowledge economy”

Wednesday: Higher Education Achievement Record (HEAR)

Graduates and Staff for the 21st Century...

Scottish Focus: Scottish Focus: Graduates for the 21Graduates for the 21stst Century Century

•Graduate attributes and whole institutional curricular reform e.g. Sydney, Melbourne, Harvard, Aberdeen....

•New Quality Enhancement Theme

•Institutional dimension “What does it mean to be a graduate of ?? in C21st?”•Subject dimension “What does it mean to be a Lawyer In the C21st?”•What are the kinds of attributes and skills we need to instill in our Law graduates for them to be successful and contribute to 21st Century society? •Similar questions for our staff?

Scottish focus:Scottish focus:Staff for the 21Staff for the 21stst Century Century

•What does it mean to be a Law lecturer in .... In the 21st Century and how do you think this has changed, if at all, since you began your career- discuss with a neighbour

•Professional development of staff•New lecturing staff e.g. PG Cert •More experienced staff , CPD frameworks•Generic and subject-specific support; a balance•Scholarship of L and T, links with subject-based research and KT•Recognition and Reward for excellence in L&T

Scholarly approaches to L and TScholarly approaches to L and T

•Keeping up to date with innovations in L and T, generic or at the subject level e.g.•Written information and resources (case studies, question banks, journals, newsletters and guides)•Events, departmental workshops•Networking: special interest groups, collaborations•External examining•Undertaking some action research, applying for project funding, teaching awards•Policy development- links with relevant professional associations, employers...•HE Academy Subject Centres, EvidenceNet...

Getting involvedGetting involved

•UKCLE and other various Academy mailing lists •Scottish-specific web pages: http://www.ukcle.ac.uk/resources/scotland/index.htmlhttp://www.heacademy.ac.uk/aboutus/scotland• UKCLE Nations Fund•Events, Networks....•Academy Scotland travel fund to attend events in other parts of the UK•Key contacts in your institution•UKCLE new Scotland consultant- Michael Bromby•NEW, follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/AcademyScotland