A busy day for GuildHE today, as it hosts the GuildHE Annual Conference and AGM 2015 which takes place for two days at the University of Worcester. The programme explores HE within the current political environment, and covers topics such as value for money, the Green Paper, and innovation alongside local economic growth.
GuildHE has also released a publication which covers the principles of student experience, and examples of student engagement with their own learning and development environments, as well as the larger community, different backgrounds and digital technology.
The report outlines ten principles of student engagement, and then discusses them further in the document using case studies from all over the UK as examples of best practice:
- Students are active members of a learning cohort
- Students engage in scholarly activity
- Students engage individually in and with their learning
- Students engage in a variety of learning spaces and opportunities
- Students engage in curricular content and design
- Students make independent judgements about the quality of learning and teaching
- Students effect change in a continual process of enhancement
- Students engagement is given strategic leadership
- Students engage through effective student leaders and governors
- Students engage in activities that support their wellbeing and encourage their sense of belonging
The report ends with questions for institutions to consider, recognising that each university has a unique pathway and understanding with their students in terms of how they ‘study, learn, research and grow together’. The report is useful in this fashion, as it encourages universities to consider both obvious and more complex questions and issues that may be overlooked, but simultaneously empowers universities, staff and students to create and develop their own priorities and understandings.
It is a useful tool for inspiration, ideas and suggestions, and demonstrates that HEIs have a lot to learn from each other.
Other interesting reports: The OECD also publishes its Education at a Glance today.