Perth College
Excellent practice: Access to online university learning for 6th Year pupils
To extend Senior Phase choice for school-based learners, many of whom are rurally
located, Perth College delivers online an SCQF level 7 Health Studies module The
Nature of Health (20 credits) to young people in S6, who have already attained three
Highers at grade C or above. The programme has a focus on health inequalities and
social factors and how these impact on individuals, families and communities. The
programme is delivered over one semester and extends curriculum choice to include
university level study. As the programme is delivered entirely online, learners decide
for themselves when to access learning materials and associated activities.
Timetabled early evening and daytime chat room tutorials provide helpful, ongoing,
individualised support. The timetabling approach adopted by Perth College ensures
learners are free to select and study other programmes from their own school’s
range of provision.
The module is taught across all UHI partner colleges where approximately 200
learners study the programme. As a result, learners benefit from online discussions,
held through the college’s virtual learning environment, Blackboard, with large
numbers of learners located widely across Scotland. At the start of their programme
learners are introduced to online learning approaches and best practice in relation to
study skills techniques. Learners are also supported to develop appropriate first
year university research approaches. This develops and enhances their subject
knowledge and improves their confidence when interviewed for university
programmes including, nursing and social work provision. Teaching staff provide
tailored feedback to learners upon receipt of submitted assessments and this
improves and enhances learners’ evaluative writing skills. The programme develops
learners’ abilities in relation to location, collection, interpretation and evaluation of
coherent arguments and improves their academic writing styles. Academic
referencing is included in the induction programme and is used by learners when
submitting completed assessments. Learners are allocated a Personal Academic
Tutor who establishes contact with school-based guidance staff to ensure any
difficulties arising are quickly dealt with.
The Nature of Health programme is successful. During 2012-13, all eleven enrolled
learners studying the programme at Perth College succeeded and attained their unit
qualification. Staff anticipate a similar number of learners will enrol for the 2014-15
academic session.
Education Scotland
Foghlam Alba