WOW... the ALDinHE conference was a tremendous experience. I got to meet some really inspiring learning developers/educators from around the country and hear about all of the exciting ways they are working to engage with students in higher education. It was great to meet some people that are like me, with a foot in both camps and to hear that they have the same uphill battles to fight in terms of getting academics to see that learning development isn't something hokey and irrelevant to teaching core subject material.
There was an awful lot of creativity going on during the sessions. It was so nice to see people unafraid of embracing creativity and truly thinking outside of the box. I really, really, really want to bring that into our marine bio classes. It could really make them that much more dynamic and engaging. I know that there will be tremendous resistance, but I am ready to take on the the unbelievers.
One of the last sessions was led by PALS leaders at Plymouth. Carolyn had asked me to email all of the 1st year students and invite any of them who still might be in town to come along to the session so that they may get a first hand taste of what it's like to be a PALS leader. Two of my students came along, which was FANTASTIC! One had already applied and the other was on the fence about applying. I have since found out she has now applied. :-) It was good to be able to get the students engaged, to see how PALS sessions can be run, and to be able to talk to other student leaders. It was great and I am so happy to have been given that opportunity for our marine students.
Thursday, 28 March 2013
Monday, 25 March 2013
Sweden field course...
Going to Sweden as academic staff for the 2nd year MBO field course was a phenomenal opportunity. Not only did I get to spend the week with my PGCAP mentor, Geoff, I also got to know and talk to Kerry a whole lot. What I came to realise is that I am not alone in my battle for change in how students are taught. The Sweden field course is a perfect example of that in that it isn't about generating numbers and testing hypotheses... it is about the power of discovery and observations. It is about listening and connecting the dots, and creating the bigger picture.... how do habitats influence habits? Of course the students were assessed during the field course. They had a set of 30 organisms that they they had to identify during a spot test and a 20 question theory test to take on the last day. They also had a keep a field/lab notebook during the whole week, which was to include notes from lectures/talks given on the ship, drawings of organisms, information about the types of sampling undertaken, what were the physical conditions of the water like, etc. A great learning experience indeed.
In terms of taxonomy, at first the students were put off by the 'big green bible' (Hayward & Ryland), but the vast majority told me that by the end of the week, they loved the book and found it incredibly useful. They had managed to work through their frustrations and come out with knowledge and understanding. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!
As I had had little contact with these students prior to Sweden, it was interesting to hear their stories and get their take on their degree course so far. I was astounded to hear that they were not really given the opportunity to do some basic taxonomy whilst they were at Roscoff the previous year. They told me that everything was identified for them and that they hadn't even opened Hayward & Ryland before arriving in Sweden.
During the lab sessions, it came to light that none of them were aware of the fact that Geoff had written the mollusc section of the book... when I pointed that out to them, Geoff was further elevated on that pedestal they had firmly placed him on. He commands great respect from the students and this comes from how he engages with them. He treats them as equals, encourages them to think, and comes across as a normal person. This is exactly how I want all student interactions that I am involved with to occur... person to person... it makes sense.
Being able to converse freely with Geoff, Kerry and Roger was great. There was simply YEARS and YEARS and YEARS of experience there. We talked about the introduction of the PALS programme into the marine biology degrees. Both Kerry and Geoff seem interested, but also weary in some ways. I think it is just going to be a matter of proving to everyone through evidence how great the programme really is and why it is so vital to students success and confidence.
There were soooooo many late night conversations between Kerry and I. Very inspirational. I really like her and I want her to shine. But, just like me, she feels that there are certain members of our research group (as does Geoff) that are dividing the group, making it nearly impossible to function effectively and cohesively. It all boils down to communication and the fact that it simply isn't happening on the 6th floor. It doesn't do any good finger pointing, but it was said that Pete should be facilitating this conversation. Pete has tried (Red Chairs lunch date every Tuesday), but Pete is also drowning in lots of other admin stuff that he can't ever get on top of. With it being the year of the REF, people are stressed out, strung out and seemingly pissed off. Hmmm... we have many problems that we need to address. Our group really needs an away day to sort a whole bunch of stuff out.
In terms of taxonomy, at first the students were put off by the 'big green bible' (Hayward & Ryland), but the vast majority told me that by the end of the week, they loved the book and found it incredibly useful. They had managed to work through their frustrations and come out with knowledge and understanding. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!
As I had had little contact with these students prior to Sweden, it was interesting to hear their stories and get their take on their degree course so far. I was astounded to hear that they were not really given the opportunity to do some basic taxonomy whilst they were at Roscoff the previous year. They told me that everything was identified for them and that they hadn't even opened Hayward & Ryland before arriving in Sweden.
During the lab sessions, it came to light that none of them were aware of the fact that Geoff had written the mollusc section of the book... when I pointed that out to them, Geoff was further elevated on that pedestal they had firmly placed him on. He commands great respect from the students and this comes from how he engages with them. He treats them as equals, encourages them to think, and comes across as a normal person. This is exactly how I want all student interactions that I am involved with to occur... person to person... it makes sense.
Being able to converse freely with Geoff, Kerry and Roger was great. There was simply YEARS and YEARS and YEARS of experience there. We talked about the introduction of the PALS programme into the marine biology degrees. Both Kerry and Geoff seem interested, but also weary in some ways. I think it is just going to be a matter of proving to everyone through evidence how great the programme really is and why it is so vital to students success and confidence.
There were soooooo many late night conversations between Kerry and I. Very inspirational. I really like her and I want her to shine. But, just like me, she feels that there are certain members of our research group (as does Geoff) that are dividing the group, making it nearly impossible to function effectively and cohesively. It all boils down to communication and the fact that it simply isn't happening on the 6th floor. It doesn't do any good finger pointing, but it was said that Pete should be facilitating this conversation. Pete has tried (Red Chairs lunch date every Tuesday), but Pete is also drowning in lots of other admin stuff that he can't ever get on top of. With it being the year of the REF, people are stressed out, strung out and seemingly pissed off. Hmmm... we have many problems that we need to address. Our group really needs an away day to sort a whole bunch of stuff out.
Thursday, 7 March 2013
Not quite how I anticipated spending my holiday...
Well, the news came yesterday that I have been selected to interview for the full-time LDA post... whilst I am in Sweden. In the end I finally said yes, but it does mean that I have to spend valuable holiday time putting together yet another 5 minute presentation. I will have the train journey to London to work on it and a bit of time once I am at Joan's. I hope to have the majority of it completed before the plane leaves Gatwick as I just need to focus on having fun with my friends. Fingers crossed for a good outcome though... some stability in my life would be a welcome relief.
Wednesday, 6 March 2013
Progress at last...
With Colin Munn's help, I finally have managed to find a suitable time to get the PALS presentation scheduled. I think that I will still travel down to the ferry terminal for both cohorts and give them yet another little pep talk.
Tuesday, 5 March 2013
Frustrated and annoyed...
As expected, the general acceptance of the idea of PALS coming into the Marine Biology degrees is lukewarm at best. I have a major uphill battle to wage with this one. BUT... because it is soooo important to me, I am willing to put in the elbow grease and apply the great American CAN-DO attitude to hopefully win the day! Watch this space!
Slowly building a case...
What I keep banging on about regarding PhD students and employability! Must finalise a date for a meeting with Mick Fuller ASAP!
http://www.nature.com/naturejobs/science/articles/10.1038/nj7437-393a
2nd year direct entry students
In looking ahead to the 2013-14 academic year, I have been in discussions with Dave and Kerry regarding the direct entry students from Falmouth and Newquay. After meeting with a few of the students in this current cohort, it became apparent that they didn't have a proper (or really any) induction once they arrived on the Plymouth campus. So, steps are being put into place to avoid that from happening this coming year, especially if there may be up to 30 direct entry students (MBCE & MBO).
I have been put in charge of coordinating efforts between Susan Haley, Colin Munn, Dave and Kerry to make the students feel welcome and actually have an induction to the various resources available to them on campus (computing, LabPlus, the library, the UPSU (pastoral care), student support services, etc.). I may try to get PALS leaders involved in helping them feel welcome, which would create a win-win situation as they would be of the same year group.
There is lots of work to do to put together a dynamic induction programme for the arriving students, but I think if they get off to great start when they first arrive, then perhaps they will fare better throughout the rest of their degrees. One can only hope.
I have been put in charge of coordinating efforts between Susan Haley, Colin Munn, Dave and Kerry to make the students feel welcome and actually have an induction to the various resources available to them on campus (computing, LabPlus, the library, the UPSU (pastoral care), student support services, etc.). I may try to get PALS leaders involved in helping them feel welcome, which would create a win-win situation as they would be of the same year group.
There is lots of work to do to put together a dynamic induction programme for the arriving students, but I think if they get off to great start when they first arrive, then perhaps they will fare better throughout the rest of their degrees. One can only hope.
Friday, 1 March 2013
PALS in Marine Biology!
Just a quick note to say that my PALS proposal has been fully funded for the 2013-14 academic year! This is HUGE and such AWESOME news for our students! I can't wait to get it going!
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