Using independent research to enhance employability in first year History students

Chris Corker and Sarah Holland

Associate Lecturers in History

Chris.Corker@shu.ac.uk

Sarah.Holland@shu.ac.uk

Making History 2 Redesign

• Three key ideas: – Emphasize skills development on a history

degree and begin to introduce employability– Enable students to engage with primary

sources outside of the University– Highlight the relationship between academic

history and public history

• Students undertake a group research project on a topic of their choice

Aspects Of Sheffield History

Poster Exhibition

Hallam Hall

19 April 2013

Skills DevelopmentVerbal Communication 47%

Teamwork 86%

Commercial Awareness 16%

Analysis and Investigation 58%

Initiative/Self-Motivation 44%

Information Technology/Computer Skills 23%

Written Communication 30%

Planning and Organisation 77%

Independence 51%

Time Management 58%

Transferability & Future Development

• Allowing students to choose their own topic improves engagement

• Using sources outside of the University promotes student autonomy

• Basic level of reflection on skills development a way to introduce employability to students in first year

• Need to make explicit which skills are being developed to students in the future