Pedagogic Cluster

Pedogogic Research Cluster

Cluster lead: Sara Briscoe

Seeding and developing communities of practice: Refreshing the Curriculum

The research cluster aims to build on expertise developed through the successful projects: TQEF - Solent Community of Pedagogic Practice and Solent Pedagogic Research Network. These projects allowed gaining an understanding of how to foster and nurture communities of pedagogic practice.
The cluster aims to use the above expertise to support and develop three interconnected areas of pedagogic inquiry: blended learning, embedding employability in the curriculum, and simulations in the curriculum. The boundaries between these areas are permeable and it is expected that researchers will share expertise and move into new working relationships so that synergistic benefits are expected. Both blended learning and employability in the curriculum are strategically important areas for SSU, whilst simulations is a relatively new and growing area of interest and one in which we hope to develop SSU as a centre of research expertise. SSU has an established research profile in blended learning and this project aims to build on this base.

Employability in the curriculum

A range of employability initiatives are now underway across the University, particularly in relation to the challenge of introducing more work experience into the core curriculum. The Community of Practice (CoP) was requested by those who are spearheading such initiatives and offers the opportunity to share good practice, whilst providing the support and guidance to those who wish to develop further their scholarly inquiry into this emerging pedagogic area.

Blended learning

Now in its second year of operation the PG Cert in Blended Learning is building a group of new researchers interested in the use of online technology to enhance student learning. This year Timos Almpanis and Barbara Lee were recognised by JISC for innovative work in using OER to support student learning and are now both involved in developing OERs for the HEA/JISC funded project ‘Open4 Business’ which will be hosted on the Jorum platform. An increasing number of conference papers have been accepted and a ‘writing for publication’ day is planned. In addition the University is hosting the Mahara11 conference which gives external recognition to the leadership shown in this area. With the new ‘Teaching and Learning Hub’ room being set up in FBSE, we hope to have an improved location available next year for writing groups to use to meet and work together which will be of advantage to all members of these working communities.

Simulations in the curriculum

Across SSU there are a number of ways in which simulations are used to develop student learning: for example, FBSE use Markstrat and SimVenture business simulation games, Warsash have the bridge simulators. The group seek to develop pedagogic practice and inquiry within this growing area.

The community of practice

Nurturing and developing the three groups

Each group will operate semi- autonomously, be led by one of the project team and will be open to interested parties across SSU. The Principal Investigator together with a subgroup of the project team will have a managing/shaping role for the three groupings. The Principal Investigator and the sub group members will also contribute to the three groups. Barbara Lee will lead on blended learning, Gill Tunney on embedding employability in the curriculum and Sara Briscoe on simulation in the curriculum/communities of practice.
The CoP activities are designed to support all three groups, promote synergistic benefits and enable newer researchers to learn from ‘old timers’ (Legitimate Peripheral Participation).
As the project progresses there will be a regular seminar series for all members to share knowledge and experiences. A myCourse/Mahara site will be set up to sharing information across the project team members.

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