Connecting the Curriculum

with Civic Opportunities

Andrew Middleton, Charmaine Myers & Graham Holden

Learning Enhancement & Academic Development

@andrewmid @venturematrix @GrahamJHolden

Venture Matrix - making connections

• Applied learning within the curriculum

• Real life work-related projects

Schh

Schools Organisations

Venture Matrix - an integrated approach

• Project briefs linked to learning outcomes

• Development of professional identity and capabilities

• Promote reflection and support

• Linked to module assessment from an accredited part of their degree

• Integrated within existing modules -not a bolt-on VM module

History

• 2007 - 13 modules

• 2017 - nearly 80 UG & PG modules

Venture Matrix - an integrated approach

TeamAcademic Lead (1)• Supports curriculum design and

developmentOperational Staff (7)• Build relationships with

organisations & schools• Source discipline specific

authentic learning opportunities• Design, support and manage

projects for students

Level 4 - 1st year UG1 Client Brief 1 Module (17/18)Students work in Groups of 4/6

Level 5 - 2nd year UG1 Client Brief 1 Group of 4/6 (17/18)

Level 6 - 3rd year UG 1 Client Brief 1 Seminar (18/19)

Exposure & Engagement

Scaffold Support for Learners

Placement Year

Venture Matrix - curriculum transition

Learner GraduatePhysics - school workshop

Physics - Manage VM level 5 project

Dissertation focus on placement orgs

Physics - possible placement orgs

Becoming

Level 4 - 1st year UG students

MODULE

100+ students

1 client brief

Seminar 1

25 students

5 groups of 5 students

Seminar 2

25 students

5 groups of 5 students

Seminar 3

25 students

5 groups of 5 students

Seminar 4

25 students

5 groups of 5 students

School Event 1

Level 4 - Example

Business & IT students working on anExternal Client Challenge in groups with primary school pupils

Criminology students working on a brief from SY Police engaging with secondary school pupils

Level 5 - 2nd year UG students

MODULE

50 students

Client Brief 1

Student Group A

2-4 students

Client Brief 2

Student Group B

2-4 students

Client Brief 3

Student Group C

2-4 students

Level 5 - Example

Politics and Sociology students running a debating club for local secondary school

Digital Marketing students create marketing strategy for external business & charity clients

Level 6 - 3rd year UG students

MODULE

30-100 students

Seminar 1

Client A

25 students

5 groups of 5 students

Seminar 2

Client B

25 students

5 groups of 5 students

Seminar 3

Client C

25 students

5 groups of 5 students

Seminar 4

Client D

25 students

5 groups of 5 students

Level 6 - Example

International Business students complete market research report & presentation -Pixel Chocs

Business & Finance students work on finance, funding & research - Rain Rescue

Finding and creating spaces to extend the

reach of the Venture Matrix for beneficial

impact on all students

Challenge

Transition & BecomingChallenging, inspiring and supporting every student to value and engage in meaningful

activities that reach beyond a taught experience

Third PlaceNeutralLeveller

ConversationAccommodating

AccessibleRegulars and friendship

UnpretentiousA home from home

Oldenburg (1989)Gutiérrez et al. (1999)

Turner (1969)

Creating a Third Space

Level 4 - 1st year UG1 Client Brief 1 Module (17/18)Students work in Groups of 4/6

Level 5 - 2nd year UG1 Client Brief 1 Group of 4/6 (17/18)

Level 6 - 3rd year UG 1 Client Brief 1 Seminar (18/19)

Exposure & Engagement

Scaffold Support for Learners

Placement Year

Venture Matrix - non-curriculum transitionApplied Learning Academic Interest Group

Learner Graduate

Becoming

PreTransition In

From first contact

Connected Learning Experience Online (CLEO)

Aspiration statement

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PostTransition Out

Alumni relationship

Connected Learning Experience On-line (CLEO)

Maintain mentoring role

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ThroughPeer Mentoring

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