Research-informed teaching:
a clinical approach
Alex Nicholson
Outline
1. Context
2. Definitions
3. Case Studies
4. Suggestions
1. Context
Historic perspectives
&
predictions for the
next 50 years
Then...
Education
Religion
Learning
Research
s.15 Universities of Oxford and Cambridge Act 1877
"...37,000
undergraduate
Removing
the cap on
courses..."
(UCAS)
student numbers
Competition
Now
Now
"One third...believe they
have received poor or very
poor value for money..."
(HEPI, 2014)
Consumerism
6 in 10 applicants go to
university to improve
employment prospects
(Which?, 2014)
Employability
Now
2. Definitions
What is "Research-informed teaching"?
Write on a post-it note...
In one sentence or less, what
does "research-informed
teaching" mean to you?
"Research-led teaching" is a "vehicular
idea", namely, one that was "fluid,
diagnostic and explanatory, rather
than prescriptive"
H. Carr and N. Dearden (2012)
Students are
participants
Emphasis on
research
content
Researchtutored
Engaging in
research
discussions
Researchbased
Undertaking
research &
inquiry
Research-led
Learning
about current
research in
the discipline
Researchoriented
Developing
research &
inquiry skills
Emphasis on
research
processes and
problems
Students frequently
are an audience
Griffiths (2004), Healey (2005),
Healey and Jenkins (2009)
Knowledge
Skills
Experience
Knowledge
D. Fox, "Personal theories of teaching" (1983)
8:2 Studies in Higher Education 151-163
M. Prince, "Does Active Learning Work? A
Review of the Research" (2004) 93(3) Journal of
Engineering Education 223-231
R. Havelock, "Law studies and active learning:
friends not foes?" (2013) 47:3 The Law Teacher
382-403
Skills
"There is virtually no suggestion that specific
legal knowledge beyond the core is necessary
or even desirable, and some firms are at pains
to stress that they have no preferences in this
field."
V. Bermingham and J. Hodgson (2001)
Experience
Mimicking practice in our teaching and learning
methods.
Knowledge
Skills
Experience
3. Case Studies
Case Study 1 Private Practice
RiT in Practice
1. Practitioner attempts to verify his/her own knowledge
through research.
2. Practitioner instructs the junior lawyer to conduct legal
research on the point in question.
3. Practitioner begins by providing at least some
background information on the legal issue or the
research methodology required.
4. The junior lawyer then conducts the research, discussing
progress with the practitioner and exchanging ideas at
appropriate intervals.
DISSEMINATE
(Research-led /
Research oriented)
DRAFT
(Researchbased)
Teaching/Research
DISCUSS
(Researchtutored)
DISCOVER
(Researchbased)
3. Case Studies
Case Study 2 Hallam Law
RiT in Hallam Law - The Process
1. Students interview real clients with real legal
problems.
2. Students brainstorm areas of law and research
questions ("research-based").
3. Students conduct research independently
("research-based").
4. Students report their findings to peers and their
tutor during a weekly "firm meeting" at which
findings are discussed ("research-tutored").
5. The research output is typically a letter of advice.
RiT in Hallam Law - Challenges
1. Matching client need, student need and
staff expertise.
2. Other "law firm" activities.
Could the clinical approach
work on a traditional
academic module?
4. Suggestions
A clinical approach to
traditional, academic modules
DISSEMINATE
(Research-led /
Research oriented)
DRAFT
(Researchbased)
Teaching/Research
DISCUSS
(Researchtutored)
DISCOVER
(Researchbased)
Risks
K. A. Gresty, W. Pan, T. Heffernan & A. EdwardsJones, "Research-informed teaching from a risk
perspective" (2013) 18:5 Teaching in Higher
Education 570-585.
D. Fox, "Personal theories of teaching" (1983) 8:2
Studies in Higher Education 151-163, p.160.
Dealing with the Risks
1. Explain the benefits.
2. Keep it practical.
Key Message
By adopting a clinical approach to more orthodox,
academic modules, it may be possible to develop
and deliver research-informed teaching in a way
that will (and crucially will be perceived by
students to) enhance employability.
Could a clinical
approach to RiT work
on your module?
Research-informed teaching:
a clinical approach
Alex Nicholson