Anna Flanagan
University of Edinburgh
Working Group #8
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Working Group # 8. -- How can university teaching develop its potential?
Topic 1: How does your university support students and learning beyond the
classroom? Give examples of infrastructural features, individual mentoring, online
support or other kinds of assistance students get at your university.
Author: Anna Flanagan.
“University teaching is not limited to the classroom.”
I believe that students flourish in their academic endeavours by embracing and
participating in activities offered by their universities outside of the classroom. I feel that
universities play a crucial part in encouraging students to engage in extra-curricular
activities not only to ease academic pressure but to enrich their student experience and
further their future ambitions.
The University of Edinburgh encourages a high level of student attendance at guest
lectures, career fairs and social events. The velocity of emails from the Postgraduate Law
office informing students of such events is testament to their unerring determination to
facilitate student engagement in learning outside the classroom. It further emphasises the
university’s dedication to providing a framework of learning that is varied and stokes the
interest of each individual student. Such events usually complement classroom activities
and can be equally attributed to the development of a university’s teaching potential.
The term ‘teaching’ conjures up an image of those who impart information in the
classroom; professors, lecturers and tutors. However, university teaching is unlimited in its
bounds. Students rely on an extensive infrastructure which includes a well-stocked library
Anna Flanagan
University of Edinburgh
Working Group #8
________________________________________________________________________
and access to computers. It is usually these external factors which are the most influential
in the learning process. University libraries acquaint students with the intricacies of
studying on their own; they help the student to become adept at researching books,
databases and accessing course materials. The new wing of the University of Edinburgh
main library is an illustration of the importance placed on learning facilities outside the
classroom; it contains individual study desks, pods for groups discussion and computer
access for students who wish to access online resources.
Moreover, it is essential that the infrastructure of European universities incorporates a
student’s union that is accessible and encourages participation in different aspects of
university life. A student’s union is the heart of the university; it pumps information into
the different faculties which in turn notifies each student about opportunities which await
them. Student’s unions have many branches which support students in voicing their
opinions, increasing their participation and encouraging them to avail of the multitude of
services and resources at their disposal.
Student’s unions are renowned for facilitating course-specific committees whereby students
can convene to stress issues of concern and encourage dialogue which is paramount to
improving each school’s teaching potential. The Law and Social Welfare Committee of
which I am a member, is a mentoring scheme which seeks to bridge the communicative gap
between undergraduates, masters and PhD students. Thus, older students act as a sounding
board for younger students assisting them with any concerns they have about the course
and helping them to choose modules which will pave the way to achieving success in their
future careers.
One criticism which may be expounded is that student union’s tend to disproportionately
represent certain groupings of students for example focusing on the undergraduate
populace to the detriment of the postgraduate student body. In order to achieve the
university’s optimum potential in teaching standards; it is imperative that this
Anna Flanagan
University of Edinburgh
Working Group #8
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representational deficit is addressed and each student grouping has equal opportunity to
exploit educational facilities beyond the confines of the classroom.
Furthermore, a well rounded education is not exclusively academic. University teaching
also encompasses sporting and social activities. Each European university should strive to
provide a complete array of societies which will cater for student’s interests. Sports and
social societies are pivotal to a student’s development. Such activities draw out skills and
enhance abilities that cannot be attained in the classroom. Certain societies may even
inspire students to pursue a career in their line of interest.
Moreover, most universities provide a plethora of services for students stretching past the
boundaries of formalistic teaching. The services which are provided by a university
normally correlate to a student’s academic endeavours. The provision of an advice service
to help students to identify their career aspirations, volunteer opportunities, study
Abroad schemes, etc assist students to make prudent decisions during their university life
which will reflect well on the university as a whole. When choosing a university, it is the
trimmings to the educational core which are the persuasive factor. The University of
Edinburgh has devoted a substantial amount of funding to an advice centre. The advice
centre is vibrant source of information and a safe supportive atmosphere for students who
are seeking to enhance their knowledge outside of the classroom.
It is essential that a university provides a means for students to learn and develop beyond
the classroom. I believe it is of the utmost importance for universities to kindle as well as
provide continued support to students who engage in non-academic activities during their
university life. Such engagement is usually a learning curve that complements their studies
and dictates their future career path. This is an issue I am passionate about; I wish to share
my perspective with other students in a suitable forum in order to promote progressive
social and academic integration in European universities.