HEA CfE Tackling Transitions Events SeriesUniversity of GlasgowIntroduction

Janet De Wilde – Assistant Director Scotland & Head of STEM

Murray Hope - Policy Officer (Scotland)

• Unprecedented period of change in structure, delivery and funding across all education sectors.

• The evolving student journey and the student experience.

• Multiple paths, increasing complexity.

• Student transitions – critical to success.

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The changing landscape

• Background and progress

• Developing a ‘more flexible and enriched curriculum’ for 3-18 education.

• Underpinned by independent, outcome-based, interdisciplinary learning – ‘student-centred’.

• 2014 - first co-hort to enter ‘Senior Phase’. • Parallels with trends in HE.• Increasing divergence in approach across UK and beyond.

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Curriculum for Excellence (CfE)

• Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) presents an exciting new

opportunity to think about transition within a broader context.

• Practice - We have teachers who are implementing CfE within their

practice on a daily basis.

• Policies - Most HEI’s now have, or are developing strategic plans.

• Preparation – Students who have experienced CfE will be arriving

at university in 2015. What will transition mean for them?

 

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Curriculum for Excellence

Overview• Four capacities

• Successful learners• Confident individuals• Responsible citizens• Effective contributors

• ‘Totality of experiences’• Curriculum areas and subjects• Interdisciplinary learning• Ethos and life of the school• Opportunities for personal achievement

• ‘Subjects’ to ‘curriculum areas’

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Curriculum for Excellence

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Extracts: Biology

I became more aware of the true interdisciplinary nature of CfE. ………. I

also fully appreciated the impact of probationary staff organising key

interdisciplinary events to ensure the success of such events and the removal

of interdisciplinary barriers at an early career stage

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Extracts: Chemistry

Specifically for Chemistry, the advantages are……. ……..The

introduction of independent research projects……………This form of

independent work should lead to a much more confident and independent student

when placed in an undergraduate lab environment.

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Extracts: Mathematics

…… the expectation of independence was indicated as one of the main

contributors to the difficulty of transition into HE

…………………………………………… CfE should provide the opportunity for more independent learning, particularly in the

Senior Phase……………………………..

HEA Scotland has developed a programme of work to explore and discuss the shifting landscape in Scottish HE and the impact on the student experience.

Progression, retention and success are key at all stages of the system.

• CfE Scholars and forthcoming subject reports.

• HEA CfE Tackling Transitions Events Series.

• HEA-NUS Scotland ‘Learner Journeys’ report.

• Embedding equality and diversity in the curriculum.

• Employability

• Further development of resources and research.9

HEA Scotland support

Reports – rich text of personal reflections and insights

Events – rich dialogue inter sector discussion

Plan to have an overarching analysis.

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Pulling it all together

Visits undertaken to schools May- June 2013

Aim to reflect on what impact Curriculum for Excellence will have on future delivery within the scholars’ respective discipline/subject at HE level.

 Aim to have a personal reflection, drawing on their experience during the visit(s), professional experience of delivery in HE, and general knowledge of the structure, intent and direction of CfE.

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Visits to Schools

HEA CfE Scholars

STEM 10 A&H 5 H&SC 2 Social Science

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Biosciences

3 Arts 2 Nursing/ Social Care

1 Business 2

Chemistry 2 Music 1 Medicine/ nursing

1 Education 2

Computing

1 Film/media

1 Accounting

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Mathematics

2 English 1

Physics 1

Psychology

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CfE Tackling Transition Events Series

• MSOR, 27.11.13, Edinburgh ICMS

• Biosciences, 03.12.13, University of Aberdeen

• Psychology, 18.12.13, Edinburgh Napier

• Mathematics & Statistics in STEM Disciplines, 22 .01.14, University of Glasgow

• Business and Management, 22.01.14, University of Abertay, Dundee -

• Chemistry, 13.01.14, University of Glasgow

• Online Engineering Event hosted by UHI

HEA STEM Conference: Enhancing the STEM Student Journey 30.4-1.5.14, University of Edinburgh

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Events this Year