Angus College
Excellence in creative and collaborative learning and assessment approaches
Over the past academic year, the college identified a series of Quality Priorities for
learning and teaching, with a major focus on the development of interdisciplinary,
co-operative and creative learning and assessment approaches. Supporting these
quality themes, a number of curriculum areas implemented a range of imaginative
approaches to collaborative and creative learning and assessment, to enliven the
learning process, ensure that learners improve their knowledge and skills, and work
more effectively in teams. The various approaches include interdisciplinary projects,
use of live projects and a focus on learner responsibility and creativity. They form
part of the college’s strategy to empower learners and embrace the principles of
Curriculum for Excellence.
Examples identified include a co-operative learning day which involved learners from
social science, hairdressing, construction, joinery, landbased industries, and art.
They worked in mixed teams with a fun but challenging brief to design and stage
scenes from Alice in Wonderland, which involved interpretation of the text, making
props and costumes and applying make-up. The end results were photographed for
a college calendar, used to publicise the college’s approach to interdisciplinary
learning. The day was a resounding success with learners indicating that they had
learned new technical and personal skills, had worked well under time pressure and
learned a great deal about other curriculum areas.
In the sports department, staff contextualised a personal development planning unit
on the HNC Sports Development programme by challenging learners to raise funds
for the Balance Bike scheme, which helps pre-school children to gain confidence in
riding a bike. The class group used imaginative approaches to fund-raising, working
in teams, which enhanced their communication, planning and project management
skills. Once the Balance Bikes had been purchased, the learners then worked with
the pre-school children to teach them how to use the bikes, helping learners gain
experience of working with very young children, which enhanced their employability.
Pass rates of the PDP unit were high, and importantly, had a major impact on learner
confidence.
Introduction to Construction learners have had a similarly positive experience of live
projects through carrying out part of their coursework alongside real construction
companies. This involved, for example, building a stage set for the local theatre and
carrying out repairs to council owned properties. Learners benefited greatly from
having real responsibilities, working with commercial clients and ensuring work was
completed to industry standard.
These projects have had a very positive impact on learners, and have also ensured
that learning is a relevant and enjoyable. The interdisciplinary nature of the
approaches adopted has supported the sharing of good-practice between staff, with
significant input and support from the Continuing Professional Development team to
ensure that good practice approaches developed are captured, reinforced, and
disseminated for staff within other parts of the College.