Challenging times or just an opportunity?

Professor Martin Stringer was born in Tanzania educated in the North of England and currently the Senior Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education at Swansea University, South West Wales. Martin has been in higher education for just over 20 years and in his own words, he joined the profession, primarily through the love of teaching. He…

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Inspiration from others

shaking hands through a laptop

I attended the University of Edinburgh Learning and Teaching conference on 15th June. They opened their first day to outsiders which was a nice taster of what was to come over the three-day event. Opened by their dignitaries, to be expected, which was interesting and heartening to hear the similarities…

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Guest Post: Dr Patricia Xavier – Critical Pedagogy

This week I spoke about the discrimination I’ve experienced as a female engineer to my (overwhelmingly white and male) engineering students. I also spoke about what I’ve witnessed in terms of racism and ableism in the sector, and the evidence of this in everyday engineering design. I’ve also worked this…

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Critical Pedagogy Community of Practice

The past year has brought discussions about equality, diversity and inclusion to the forefront in an abrupt and painful way. From discussions about student digital poverty in blended learning, to confronting structural racism in UK society as a response to the Black Lives Matter movement, these issues (always present) now…

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Teaching intelligence: how to support visually impaired students

Transcription centre staff standing outside the centre

Our own transcription centre is featured in the Times Higher Education article on January 25 2020. Katharine Swindells writes that subjects traditionally closed to visually impaired learners are being opened up by new tech.  She says that universities must provide policies, training and resources to match. Some institutions are leading the…

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Open Door Observation – Large Group Teaching

During November 2019, I was fortunate enough to observe two staff deliver teaching and learning support to large groups of students.  The first, Dr. Mark Coleman from the College of Engineering teaches over 150 students in his classes and Dr. Sian Rees from the College of Arts and Humanities was…

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Feedback Journals – Engaging with the Feedback Process

Focus on Feedback Our Pro-Vice Chancellor for Education, Professor Martin Stringer,  recently announced Swansea University’s Learning and Teaching Strategy for the next five years. Swansea University Learning and Teaching Strategy 2019-24 In order to achieve the six objectives outlined in the strategy, our curriculum will embed certain characteristics. Among them…

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