Designing new ways to support student learning

Ms Dee MacCormack (Student Services), Mr Rene Meijer (Information Commons), Mrs Lyn Parker (University Library)Ms Chetna Patel (LeTS),

Overview• Introduction and discussion questions

• Learning space – IC

• 301, the new student skills and development centre

• Student enhancement service - MASH

• Questions and discussion

Introduction• Learning space

• Layout• Technology• Environment

• Curriculum design• Partnership• Collaboration

• Student enhancement services• Drivers and barriers

Designing spaces for effective learning (HEFCE, 2006 )

Questions for discussion• How do we integrate the development of transferrable

skills into the curriculum?

• How should  professional support services support students and academics in the development of these skills?

• What are the requirements of learning spaces (virtual and physical) in order to facilitate this development?

THE INFORMATION COMMONS

Innovative learning spaces and services:

19/04/23 © The University of Sheffield

Formal collaboration

Informal collaboration

Media in the IC

• Format agnostic• Integrated

workflow• Easy to use

• Next to teaching space• Can be booked separately• Blue wall• Suitable for small groups

• Learning technologists support academics and students. • Looking at integrating IL-support from library

Development of various literacies in the 21st century

Taken from Secker, J. et al. (2011) A new curriculum for Information Literacy; an Ancil workshop held at the University of Sheffield 10th November 2011.

19/04/23 © The University of Sheffield

Academic

Student

Formal, structured

Informal

workshop

drop-in skills suite

signposting

student-requested session

peer problem-solving session

peer mentoring

inductionLecture/demo

Who delivers the support? Personal tutor, professional services?How deliver? Online, f2f, via phone, email, chat, social networking tool .....?

Part of the subject curriculum

Generic rather than subject

301 – a new student skills and development centre opening at

301 Glossop Road in autumn 2012.

Why? •To improve our offer to students•To help meet a number of strategic priorities e.g. employability, recruitment, retention•To provide a more effective service for students and academic departments•To create opportunities for collaboration and new ways of working

What will be there?Flexible, multi-use space which includes:•Open plan study area •Self-access resources library•Languages learning suite•Group/workshop space•Self-service computer kiosks•1-1 student interview/guidance rooms

301Academic skills and

development servicesBlue = Student ServicesRed = other providers

Green = under development

A final point…301 isn’t just for students who are struggling with personal or academic issues - it’s somewhere for all students to access a range of expert services to help them get the most out of both their current learning experience - and their future career.

MASH – currently• At Octagon Centre• Voluntarily, referred or encouraged• Drop-in, appointments, small groups and

workshops• Tutors and self-study material• Study space and tea/coffee facilities• 2 PC’s• Office hours

MASH – future at 301

• Larger space and more technology

• Opportunities for setting up study groups

• Ease of setting up workshops

• Collaborative study space

• Integrated delivery of enhancement services

• Synergy of collaboration

Questions for discussion• How do we integrate the development of

transferrable skills into the curriculum?

• How should  professional support services support students and academics in the development of these skills?

• What are the requirements of learning spaces (virtual and physical) in order to facilitate this development?