wood - collaboration and partnership: developing the academic skills centre at the university of...
DESCRIPTION
TRANSCRIPT
Collaboration and partnership: developing the Academic Skills Centre at the University of Birmingham
Rachel Wood, Academic Skills CentreMarch 2013
Background Benchmarking
– Internal– External
What we did based on the benchmarking How we collaborated How we see the future
Background
Pro-Vice Chancellor for Education review of academic support for UGs
University-wide project (team included librarian)
– Implemented in March 2012
Centre was introduced in September 2012
– Supports mathematics, general academic skills and writing.
Benchmarking: key questions
What does an ASC look like?
What are we already doing at UoB?
Where is the best practice elsewhere?
What do we need to do?
Benchmarking – Internal
Questioned 2 groups:
– Academics
– Central support services including library Subject Advisors
Key question: what academic skills do you provide?
Benchmarking – Internal academics
Varied, depending on subject Overall, very good
Challenges: large class sizes, physical and time resources
Good practice: embedding study skills into curriculum, use of peer feedback
Benchmarking – Internal central services
Central provision varied All use blended approach
Challenges: academic buy-in, embedding into curriculum
Good practice: IL in Dentistry
Benchmarking – Central services
Benchmarking - External
Survey of other UK universities:
– Focussed on good practice in a variety of other institutions
– Sample comprised of 17 institutions (Russell Group and non-Russell Group)
Benchmarking - External
Survey was piloted with two Russell Group institutions (big thanks to Leeds and Oxford!)
Used Survey Monkey ® software
In April and May 2012 a tailored e-mail was sent to library or academic skills contacts
Benchmarking - External
8 non-Russell Group universities and 6 Russell Group universities responded.
The survey was followed up with six semi structured telephone interviews.
Benchmarking - External
Embedding skills is key Located with library service Good provision of skills through websites Scalability Ownership – central vs. academic Providers – academics, librarians Resources Evaluation of skills support
What we did next: organisation
Used results to draw up organisation Advisory boards New division to work alongside librarians
Skills Development ManagerRachel Wood
Academic Skills Team
Projects Officer (Skills)Michael Stanford
Writing Skills Advisor
Helen Cooper
Learning Skills AdvisorsStephen Griffin (p/t)
Beverley Maynard (p/t)Michael Shoolbred (p/t)
Academic Skills Centre
What we did: identity
ASC became part of Library Services
Located in Main Library
New website with course bookings and online resources
What we did
Developed curriculum based on external/internal best practice
Introduced generic workshops for 1st years: learning in HE, writing, note taking and critical reading
Collaborate with library staff to run joint activities
What we didn’t expect to do!
Supported lots of 2nd and 3rd years
Re-wrote our administrative systems
Collaboration
Developed joined-up approach with:
– Librarians and other library staff re Transition Review
– Academics to run sessions on our behalf (academic writing) and their behalf (group work)
– Joint Librarian/ASC sessions
Collaboration
Promote via various networks embedding Information Literacy and Academic Skills for enhancement – ie support/ development for all.
Future
Review first year Joint development of teaching resources with
librarians Work with students for peer to peer learning Embed in the curriculum Focus on online delivery
Further information
https://intranet.birmingham.ac.uk/as/libraryservices/asc
Rachel Wood [email protected]