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Community Engagement Project. Jana Filosof. Project background. The debate: Fish (2008) against ‘political indoctrination’; many others urge for the inclusion of civic engagement programmes in universities’ curricula (Wilhite and Silver, 2005; Caputo, 2005; Buys and Bursnall, 2007).
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Community Engagement Project Jana Filosof
Project background The debate: Fish (2008) against ‘political indoctrination’; many others urge for the inclusion of civic engagement programmes in universities’ curricula (Wilhite and Silver, 2005; Caputo, 2005; Buys and Bursnall, 2007). Business School Learning and Teaching Conference
Project background University of Hertfordshire – strategic aim of ‘developing and promoting our position within the local and regional community through our Community Engagement Strategy’ (UH, 2010:23). Business School Learning and Teaching Conference
Feedback from the pilot • ‘This “simple” task actually helped us to develop a complex set of behaviours that facilitate change within the group context. ‘ J.L., Full Time MBA student • ‘Finally and maybe most importantly I have learnt that I can be a leader’ A.M., Part Time MBA student • ‘I have learned lot from this activity... how you work in a group, how much motivation plays a role in group activities, how important is internal communication ...and above all how charity organizations work’ V.M., Full Time MBA student • ‘Your commitment to us was second to none ... this shows us what fine people you all are and a great example of Stevenage Borough Council working in partnership with one of its partners’ Joe McCallion, Manager, React for Disability Group. Business School Learning and Teaching Conference
2010-11 Project Details • Focus of enhancing the assessment element • Test the transferability and the adaptability of the model by embedding it on further 2 modules in the Business School • Leading and Managing Strategically (20 LMPS students) • Intrapreneurship and Enterprise (50 MSc Management students) Business School Learning and Teaching Conference
2010-11 Project Details (Cont.) • The model is flexible to adapt to different disciplines. • The students were required to work in self-managed groups of up to 5 and to spend at least 8 hours helping in the community. • The emphasis of their work and learning from it shifted depending on the learning outcomes of the specific module. Business School Learning and Teaching Conference
Project Objectives • Develop a transferrable model of incorporating working in the community into the programme curricula • Provide students with flexible learning opportunities, engaging with the local community • Develop an assessment method that encourages meaningful learning; • Develop students’ critical skills: critical thinking and critical reflection; and enhancing transferrable skills, such as teamwork, communication and negotiation • UtiilizeStudyNet facilities to support students’ learning and communication outside the classroom Business School Learning and Teaching Conference
2010-11 Project – Preliminary Results • Leadership and Change (44 MBA students) • Full- and Part-time; Home and International • The project is a required element • Leading and Managing Strategically (14 LMPS students) • Part-time; Home • The project is an optional element • Intrapreneurship and Enterprise (65 MSc Management students) • Full—time; International • The project is a required element Volunteering Not chosen Fund raising Business School Learning and Teaching Conference
2010-11 Project – Preliminary Results • Leadership and Change (44 MBA students) • 32 questionnaires • Community engagement project questionnaire.docx • Essays demonstrated learning • Assessment format assisted with writing the final assessment Business School Learning and Teaching Conference
2010-11 Project – Preliminary Results Intrapreneurship and Enterprise (65 MSc Management students) • Shorter lead • Struggled with finding a project • Assessment less effective Business School Learning and Teaching Conference
2010-11 Project – Conclusions Can be adapted to different modules Needs a longer lead time Perhaps more guidance on choosing the projects Business School Learning and Teaching Conference
Summary • This is a unique project, currently offered on few other Business School modules, which promotes several strategic aims: • Community engagement • Enhanced student experience, through increased flexible learning opportunities • Innovative assessment Business School Learning and Teaching Conference