NTFS Project: Outduction: improving the final year experience

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NTFS ProjectOut-duction improving the final
year experience

• Kingston Bradford
• Marion Webb Peter
  Hughes
• Tracy Evans Ruth
  Whitfield

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Summary

• Joint project University of Bradford and
  Kingston University
• Research-informed mini-projects within four
  faculties/schools
• Student interns will conduct investigations
• Aim to build a body of knowledge about the final
  year

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The project will develop

• Materials for supporting students as they enter
  and leave the final year (Developme)
• Training package for student interns
• Strategies for showcasing talent
• Virtual communities for finalists
• Methods of student/employer engagement

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Dissemination

• Outer circles to create communities of practice
  educational developers, subject centres, CETLs
• Networks of employers
• FE staff

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Research question

• What is the experience of regular, returning and
  direct-entry students in their final year of
  undergraduate study in terms of
• Student autonomy?
• Preparation to engage with conceptual life
  planning?
• Outduction transition to employment or to
  postgraduate study?

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Evaluation areas

• Student internships.
• Activities and events eg degree shows, speed
  dating.
• Resources
• Through questionnaires, interviews, focus groups,
  reflective journals.

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Your ideas!

• In groups please discuss
• What are the best bits in the final year?
• What could be done to improve the final year
  experience students?

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Progress to date

• What the KU students have told us they like
• Self responsibility (not -spoon fed).
• Teaching.
• Synthesis of knowledge and understanding.
• Engagement and relationships between
  staff/students (cohesivity).
• Independence- lack of demand for attendance etc.
• Sense of giving back something (reciprocal).
• Opportunity to extend knowledge beyond degree.

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• Almost done!
• Facilities (New building).
• Choice about studying dissertation.
• End of degree show.
•  

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The students suggestions for improvement

• Career Support.
• Drop-in support for big projects.
• Bridging the gap between stages.
• Information/advice/guidance.
• Central physical resource.
• Induction week for 3rd years/advanced library
  skills/student experience- talks/alumni.
• Tutor time ( lacking).
• SSRs/ not enough time ( 1-1 students/staff).

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• More office hours
• Need smaller groups and more time to talk to
  individual students.
• Better connections in curriculum.
• Smaller seminar groups to facilitate discussion
  (quiet students).
• Ongoing PDP- levels 4-6.
• Longer timeframe.
• Discussing expectations at end of level 5 in
  preparation for level 6.

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• Study space for final years.
• Disruption in classes/ (e.g. noise) should be
  addressed earlier. Zero tolerance approach
• Lack of resources.
• Peer support groups.

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Interns

• An interactive final year experience event at
  Bradford memories, achievements, highlights and
  challenges.
• Data input at KU and plans for Outduction
  Induction.
• Reflective journals/blogs.