University of Hertfordshire
Learning & Teaching Conference 2012
Learning & Teaching Innovation in Challenging Times
Innovative blended classroom/online assessment and development of
employability skills; using a research based experiential learning
simulation approach
Veronica Earle, Steve Arnold, University of Hertfordshire
Embedding Employability and Enterprise skills into Curricula
1.
The Problem
2.
The Research
3.
The Solution
4.
The Impact
5.
Experience it
6.
Try it
7.
Questions
2
The Problem – in general
‘The employability of our graduates is high on the agenda. As tuition fees rise, so too
will students’ expectations of getting the best ‘return’ on their investment and data on
graduate employment outcomes are likely to play a crucial role in informing future
students’ choice of institution. At a time of increased competition for graduate
vacancies (The report The Graduate Market in 2012 published in January 2012 by the
independent think tank High Fliers suggests graduate applications to top employers
have risen 19% in the last year), our students will rightly be seeking programmes of
study that will enhance their employment opportunities.
At the same time, demands are being placed on academics to make more time- and
cost effective use of existing resources and networks, establish greater flexibility in the
delivery and assessment of their course units, heighten the impact of their work, and
work in partnership with employers and businesses. The on-going Wilson review is
looking specifically at university-business collaboration, and the June 2011 White Paper
underscored the importance of developing students’ enterprise skills’.
Source: Higher Education Academy
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The Problem – more specifically
Embedding Enterprise and Employability into Curricula
Online ‘plug-in’ programmes and learning resources:
- Work Based Learning
- Professional Practice
- Industry Practice
- MBA/graduate programmes
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Embedding Employability and Enterprise skills into Curricula
1.
The Problem
2.
The Research
3.
The Solution
4.
The Impact
5.
Experience it
6.
Try it
7.
Questions
5
Research Programme
‘Experiential Learning and Skills Development’ (ELSD)
University of Hertfordshire
University of Cambridge
Deloitte
Sony
BBC
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Research: Experiential Learning and Skills Development
• WHAT: Common core skills for Enterprise and Employability
“The 9 Skills for Success”
1. Self Awareness (SA)
2. Problem Solving (PS)
3. Enterprising (ENT)
4. Team player (TP)
5. Commercial Awareness (CA)
6. Decision Judgement (DJ)
7. Communication (COM)
8. Technology Appreciation (TA)
9. Self Management (SM)
7
The 9 Key Skills, Deloitte Model, SHL Great 8
DELOITTE GLOBAL COMPT.
THE 9 KEY SKILLS
SHL GREAT 8
1.
Develops Self
1.
Self-awareness
1.
Organising, Executing
2.
Solves Problems
2.
Problem Solving
2.
Analysing , Interpreting
3.
Manages To Results / Client Focus
3.
Enterprising
3.
Enterprising, Performing
4.
Builds Relations / Develops Others
4.
Team Player
4.
Supporting and Co-op
5.
Develops Business
5.
Business (Commercial) Awareness
5.
Creating, Conceptualising
6.
Manages Quality, Risk / Industry Exp.
6.
Decision Judgement
6.
Leading and Deciding
7.
Communicates Clearly, Effectively
7.
Communication
7.
Interacting, Presenting
8.
Manages Change and Ambiguity
8.
Technology Appreciation
8.
N/A
9.
Manages, Executes Projects
9.
Self-management
9.
Adapting and Coping
Research: Experiential Learning and Skills Development
• HOW: Learning & Teaching Theory
-
Experiential Based Learning and Profiling
-
Online Simulations
-
Authentic Experiences- Building Self Efficacy
-
Power of Feedback
-
Game Based Learning (GBL)
-
Learning Outcomes
-
Assessment
-
Immersive and engaging Activities
… and have
FUN!
Key findings from Research Programme
Features required from research:
1. Online and Plug In
2. Experiential – CORE needs to be Authentic Simulation, engaging:
e.g. Dragons’ Den
3. Learning outcomes, activities, assessments aligned, efficient and credit bearing
4. Output- Certificate, Skills Profile, EPortfolio
5. A Diagnostic – MySkillsProfile
6. An evidence log – MyEPortfolio
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The Core Simulation
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Embedding Employability and Enterprise skills into Curricula
1.
The Problem
2.
The Research
3.
The Solution
4.
The Impact
5.
Experience it
6.
Try it
7.
Questions
16
Employability & Enterprise Skills Development
The Solution
“Success”
MySkillsProfile PLUS™ *
MyBusinessAcumen™
Advanced Development
MySkillsProfile™
Second Year
Entry Profiling and
Development
(E) MBA
First Year
Exit Profiling and
Development
Final year
Student Journey
* Includes Team and Leadership Potential Development
As embedded into the curricula by the University of Hertfordshire
Embedding Employability and Enterprise skills into Curricula
1.
The Problem
2.
The Research
3.
The Solution
4.
The Impact
5.
Experience it
6.
Try it
7.
Questions
20
Who is using it
University of Cambridge
University of Hertfordshire
University of Bristol
University of Liverpool
University of Southampton
Royal Veterinary College
Welingkar Institute of Management, India
Swinburne University of Technology, Australia
North Herts College
Secondary Schools
NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training)
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Case examples
University of Hertfordshire Undergraduates
- Business School
First Year / L4 – “Enhancing Employability” module – 1000 students
Second Year / L5 – “Enhancing Employability” module – 1000 students
Second Year / L5 – “Enterprise” module – 1000 students
Second Year / L5 – “Accounting & Finance” module – 200 students
-
Creative Arts, Engineering, Law, Nurses, Education
University of Cambridge
- Judge Business School – Executive MBAs
- Postgraduates and Researchers
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Encouraging feedback
Students say:
“It’s perfect, great fun and I learnt so much so fast”
“I think this will really help me with my job prospects”
“I know what I have to do now”
Tutors say:
“Easy to use, great for assessments and flexible to apply”
“Seamless and swift to integrate into our existing courses”
“Fast-track, experiential and more importantly fun”
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Embedding Employability and Enterprise skills into Curricula
1.
The Problem
2.
The Research
3.
The Solution
4.
The Impact
5.
Experience it
6.
Try it
7.
Questions
24
Experience the Student Journey
1. MySkillsProfile
2. MyEPortfolio
3. MyBusinessAcumen
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MySkillsProfile
The Personal Skills Profile - The output
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The Personal Skills Profile - The output
The 9 Key Skills
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The Personal Skills Profile - The output
Where you want to get to?
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The Personal Skills Profile - The output
Comparative Perceptions
31
The Personal Skills Profile - The output
32
Completion Certificate
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MyEPortfolio
The ePortfolio – Carrying the value forward…
• Standard Package: Evidence Log Only
 Action Plan (Personal Development Plan)
 Add & Map Evidence
 Publish Evidence
• Deluxe Package: Diagnostic (PSP) + Evidence Log Plus
 Customised Competency Frameworks & 9 Skills
Mapping
 Tutor Evidence Tracking & Progress Monitoring
 Review/Assess/Mark Evidence by examiners, mentors
etc
MyBusinessAcumen
Embedding Employability and Enterprise skills into Curricula
1.
The Problem
2.
The Research
3.
The Solution
4.
The Impact
5.
Experience it
6.
Try it
7.
Questions
37
Try it
New generation problem, new generation solution:
1. Now a core offering to all UH undergraduates as a blended
learning experience as part of the curriculum.
2. Our request to you is to join our user community and help to
develop our research base
- Help make a difference for your students and create an
impact.
- Contact us to arrange a login
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Contact us
Veronica Earle - v.earle@herts.ac.uk
Stephen Arnold - s.arnold1@herts.ac.uk
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