Curriculum Enrichment Project - FAQs 1 Plymouth University ...

Curriculum Enrichment Project - FAQs
Plymouth University
Curriculum Enrichment Project 2013 – 2015
The following document is designed to be a ‘living list’ of frequently asked questions to support
awareness and understanding of the recently launched Curriculum Enrichment Project (CEP).
As this project is at its inception and there is much to discuss and refine in terms of the detail, the aim
of the FAQs is to act as an introduction, but will continue to be updated as things develop and
activities start to take shape. If in the meantime, there is anything else you would like to see included,
let us know: teachandlearn@plymouth.ac.uk
Why are we doing this?
At Plymouth we are committed to advancing knowledge and transforming lives through our
enterprising approach to education, research and knowledge transfer. This means a dedicated focus
on inspirational research informed teaching, employability and a globally relevant, culturally rich
experience befitting of a first class, first choice contemporary university.
In a rapidly changing and highly competitive higher education marketplace, there is an increased
need to continue to develop our distinctive offer, and we have a real opportunity here to progress to
be the very best in the sector for our students - both today and tomorrow.
This is the driving force behind the recently launched Curriculum Enrichment Project; in line with our
University Strategy 2020 ambition to provide an ‘excellent learning and stimulating student
experience’ that is genuinely at the cutting edge of current practice.
The project develops themes in the University Teaching, Learning and Student Experience Strategy
2013 – 20: http://www1.plymouth.ac.uk/ouruniversity/teachlearn/Pages/default.aspx
What is the Curriculum Enrichment Project?
Shaped by student feedback, academic review, institutional quality measures and contemporary
pedagogical research, the project seeks to achieve a first class experience informed by the needs of
students, to ensure all students have the opportunity to succeed and to develop themselves within
their curricular experience AND outside of the curriculum to become graduates of choice with
second-to-none employability skills. To achieve these aims the project proposes that:
students will have greater contact with their peers from the very beginning of the
programme in an ‘induction-style’ module;
in their first term, all university undergraduate students will undertake, and receive
feedback on, formal assessments to enable them to have a substantial understanding of
their progress; some modules will be completed before Christmas;
a proportion of first year undergraduate work will contribute to final degree classification;
co-curricular activities have a place in the timetable in specific weeks in addition to current
provision and that these activities be accessible to all students regardless of their
programme of study;
an element of breadth will be included in the first year through ‘Plymouth Plus’ which bring
students into contact across disciplines to address challenging contemporary issues.
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Curriculum Enrichment Project - FAQs
Who does this affect?
The Curriculum Enrichment Project is designed to underpin an innovative foundation for the
curricula across all University, PAHC and Truro, so that all students have comparable opportunities
to succeed whatever their course, discipline or location of study.
When will it be implemented?
While there is a need to begin to realise real change, starting is 2014, we also need to be mindful of
the quality framework in which the University operates and to minimise any potential impact on the
staff or student experience. For example, timescales need to take into account for professional and
regulatory body accreditation schedules and requirements; we are currently working through this as
well as other practical aspects that have so far been shared.
How will it be implemented?
We recognise that there is already good practice in curriculum innovation across the University, but
this is not universal. Therefore there needs to be engagement with a wide range of staff across
disciplines, to share and develop this activity and harness best practice so that a ‘Plymouth’ model
can evolve.
The project is at a very early stage, having only been launched in late May 2013; therefore much of
the detail is subject to discussion and refinement. A discussion phase is currently underway in order
to give everyone the opportunity to review the proposals and consider their underlying principles, to
work through potential impacts in their particular areas and to identify opportunities and propose
alternative approaches.
Critical to the project is input from staff and students - so that we can shape an informed, reflective,
risk-aware and evidence-based approach that achieves our ambitions whilst protecting and
enhancing best practice, ensuring professional and regulatory accreditation and promoting
opportunities to deliver new ways of working with our students. Central to our ‘Students and
Partners’ ethos, this is a partnership project, and with our students, we will use their insights to help
develop our thinking.
Who is leading on the project?
The Project steering group is led by Professor David Coslett, Professor Pauline Kneale, Professor
Richard Stephenson, Steph Discoll the Sabbatical Education Officer from UPSU, the ADTLs, Professor
Neil Witt and Pat Wilde, Head of Quality Operations This will be supported by a number of ‘task and
finish’ sub groups considering each area of the project. As the project evolves each School will have a
dedicated representative whose role it will be to work with the ADTLs, FBMs and the Central Quality
Office.
How should staff present/market their programmes given that they might be subject to change?
Discussions are very much on-going and final decisions about the project have yet to made, however
as a result of the project, subject content and outcomes are likely to remain very much the same.
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Curriculum Enrichment Project - FAQs
Therefore staff should be encouraged to talk confidently and enthusiastically, as they always have
done, about their academic offer at events such as Open Days.
How can I get involved?
Please take a moment to give us your feedback via teachandlearn@plymouth.ac.uk, so that your
very valuable views and ideas and any questions you might have can be shared with those leading
the project. The project is still at a very early stage, so we don’t have all the answers at the moment
- many will need further thought and discussion. If you want to play a more active role, for example
on one of the subject groups, please contact Professor Pauline Kneale.
How do I get support for teaching and learning innovation?
Active learning workshops in support of this process are being run by ED ASTI and external experts.
Please register for workshops via the link at
http://www1.plymouth.ac.uk/ouruniversity/teachlearn/Pages/Plymouth-University-Curriculum-
Enrichment-Project-2013---2015.aspx
What happens next?
Key activity in the first few weeks has very much been about consultation and dialogue to inform the
way forward and start to look at the detail. Mostly, the principles underpinning the CEP have been
received positively, but we know there are concerns about the detail. The next step is to address
these though open forum meetings with school and programme groups, school business meetings,
teaching and learning away days etc.
Where is the project documentation?
The original document and updates are available at
http://www1.plymouth.ac.uk/ouruniversity/teachlearn/Pages/Plymouth-University-Curriculum-
Enrichment-Project-2013---2015.aspx
Last updated – 6 July 2013
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