Seminar Programme Archive


 

2014 / 15 Seminar Programme

Programme Level Change to Enhance Student Satisfaction (11th May 2015)

This session focused on programme level change to deliver an enhanced student learning experience and improved student satisfaction.
Subject areas shared examples of strong performance and improvement in the National Student Survey and other measures. We also explored some common themes around programme level change as well as identifying how we might be able to learn from these experiences and move forwards.

Seminar Resources: Click here to view

Stop, Start, Continue … (19th March 2015)

Dr Phil Newton presented findings from a recent study which compared different methods of collecting written feedback from students.
The study (click here) was conducted with colleagues on campus and in Aberystwyth. There was an opportunity to discuss the findings, which were hopefully of some practical use to those attending the seminar.

Seminar Resources: Click here to view

Placement Learning (3rd March 2015)

This collaboration between SALT and SEA looked at some of the challenges involved in creating meaningful placements, be they credit or non-credit bearing.
It was led by the two academy directors and discussed:

  • Why a ‘placement’ – what’s in it for the student, the employer, the University ?
  • The paperwork to make it happen
  • Developing an effective assessment strategy
  • How the student learns from the process

Seminar Resources: Click here to view

How to achieve excellence in teaching – sharing success (24th Novemeber 2014)

This seminar celebrated recent teaching awards received by colleagues and look at some of the work that went into them. Including contributions from:

  • Professor Derek Connon reflected on his teaching journey, development and expertise which lead to his prestigious National Teaching Fellowship.
  • Dr Steve Mellalieu spoke about how he approaches his teaching and why he thinks he was rewarded with an Excellence in Learning and Teaching Award.
  • Professor Jane Thomas talked about how as an institution we are developing a culture of excellent teaching.

 

2013 / 14 Seminar Programme

Summer International Seminars (15th and 17th July 2014)

We held two, very well recieved seminars in July, giving us a look at teaching development work from overseas.

First, on the 15th July, Dr Celia Popovic (Director of the Teaching Commons at York University, Toronto) came and shared with us the results of her resaerch into some of the common preconceptions held by instructors of first year students with some big surprises ! Celia also led an active discussion on what could be dome by teachers to address the issues raised by these preconceptions.

Second, on the 17th July we heard from Associate Professor Romy Lawson (Director of Learning, Teaching & Curriculum at the University of Wollongong, New South Wales) who shared with us her work looking at Curriculum Design for Assuring Learning. Romy was awarded a National Teaching Fellowship for her work and she looked at a very holistic approach to curriculum development and mapping that concetrates on learning and learning outcomes, right from the very start of a student’s time at University.

For resources for both these seminars: Please click here

What every educator needs to know about ‘working memory’… (March 2014)

Working memory is the ability of a small part of your brain to ‘hold’ new information while the rest of your brain works out what to do with it. It is an essential part of human learning, and yet it has a very limited capacity – often being the rate-limiting step in education. Teaching strategies which account for the limitations of working memory show distinct advantages.

Phil Newton led this interactive session and demonstrated some of the limitations of working memory, and outlined some evidence-based educational strategies designed to account for those limitations.

Authentic Assessment Project- Dissemination Event (12th March 2014)

This seminar examined and discussed a number of authentic approaches currently being utilised here at Swansea University (which had been included as part of an HEA Funded project into Authentic Assessment).

We looked at how they are carried out and heared student feedback on the specific approaches and the general principle. We hoped to inspire and present ideas of how to integrate authentic methodologies and techniques into teaching and assessment.

Seminar Resources: Click here to view

What is inclusivity and what does it mean for my teaching ? (6th March 2014)

This seminar was to be the first in a series of seminars on developing a culture of inclusivity in higher education running at Swansea University. Those seminars were aimed at exploring what inclusivity is and how it has moved beyond disability and assessment to encompass a wider range of student needs and the whole student journey.

“What is inclusivity and what does it mean for my teaching” started to introduce some of these concepts and to consider them in relation to curriculum design. In particular it focussed on the work of Dr Helen Barefoot from the University of Hertfordshire who presented feedback from their HEA funded project The Inclusivity Toolkit. Also discussed were the findings from the Swansea University HEA project.

Seminar Resources: Click here to view

The Role of Academic Societies in Enhancing the Student Experience (20th February 2014)

This seminar offered a brief overview of the sorts of activities societies undertake, the benefits which students accrue and how you can work with academic societies in your area.

  • Academic societies on the rise ?Ceinwen Clooney, Student Union Societies and Services Officer
  • Building Engineering Society SuccessDr James Holness and Engineering Student Reps
  • From strength to strength – the History SocietyIsabel Costello, History Society President and Dr Martin Johnes, Head of History

Seminar Resources: Click here to view

E-Learning and Cakes – Mobile, tablets and more… (12th December 2013)

An informal gathering of any one interested in the use of technology in learning and teaching. An opportunity to find out what’s going on in the University, share what you’re doing or just find out a bit more about learning technology – and cakes. This one looked at a selection of mobile technology.

Peer Observation Debate (1st November 2013)

SALT hosted a debate on peer review. What is it for ? Does it work ? Does it really improve teaching ? Does it empower lecturers or intimidate them ? A new peer review process is being put together. This debate was to help shape the process.

Shut up and write ! (Various dates October / November 2013 and January 2014)

SALT ran some ‘Shut up and Write’ sessions to help those interested in becoming a Fellow / Senior Fellow / Principal Fellow of the HEA. They were very informal writing sessions with no booking forms. Individuals just turned up at the venue with their laptop (or we provided one to those who wanted to make sure they didn’t succumb to email !

Clickers Workshops (Various dates in October / November 2013)

Clickers, which are an audience response system, can add interactivity, dialogue and help provide feedback in teaching sessions. Students can answer a variety of type of questions using a handset and the results can then be displayed to the class. SALT ran introduction and more advance hands on sessions. Introduction – if you have never used them before Going further – you have used them but would like to know about teams, demographics, conditional branching etc.

 

2012 / 13 Seminar Programme

HEA Fellowship Workshop (14th March 2013)

Jane Thomas led this workshop looking at all aspects of HEA Fellowship.

For resources for this seminar: Please click here

MOOCs and Distance Learning (7th March 2013)

Chris Hall of the SALT Team led this session looking at MOOCs and what we at Swansea should be doing about them.

For resources for this seminar: Please click here

 

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