Creating a Partnership Learning Community

1. Creating a Partnership Learning Community An example from the School of Psychology Dr. Marian McLaughlin m.mclaughlin@ulster.ac.uk

2. Context • Partnership Model and Values • Partnership Activities • Communication • Learning and Teaching • Researching and Enquiring • Inclusivity and Empowerment • Conclusions • Q&A • Overview

3. Dramatic changes in the HE landscape. • Engagement is fundamental to the student experience (HEA, 2017). • Partnership has been recognised as the catalyst for engagement (Curran, 2017). • Higher Education Landscape

4. Partnership describes a relationship in which all involved are actively engaged in, and stand to gain from, the process of learning and working together. • It enables and empowers students to engage deeply in their learning and enhancement. • For staff, working in partnership with students can help transform thinking about learning and teaching practices. • Framework for Student Engagement • through Partnership

5. ‘Partnership encourages critical reflection…for it to be truly embedded, it must become part of the ethos and culture; developing strong partnership learning communities which encourage real connections between staff and students is a recognised way of achieving this. It will require a holistic approach with the partnership learning community at the heart of the system.’ • Partnership Learning Communities • HEA, 2015

6. Partnership Values • Authenticity • Excellence • Support • Trust • Transformation   • Ulster University & UUSU Partnership Agreement

7. ‘Students should feel that their views are valued and have a real impact on the future delivery of teaching and learning experience’ Communication

8. Partnership Learning Community School of Psychology Forum Student Advocate Year Tutors PASS Peer Mentoring Co-ordinator Faculty Rep School Reps Class Reps Psychology Society

10. Learning and Teaching

11. School of Psychology Forum Learning and Teaching ‘You say, we do’ Quality Enhancement Curriculum Design Timetabling Active Learning

13. Researching and Enquiring

14. Research Informed Teaching • Active learning approaches • Focus is on students and staff collaborating as co-creators of knowledge • Research Placements • Research Participation Scheme • Course Credits, EDGE • Researching and Enquiring • Students as Co-Researchers

15. Inclusivity and Empowerment

16. School of Psychology Forum Inclusivity and Empowerment PASS Peer Mentoring Psychology Society Formal Mind your Mood Food Banks Blanket Drive

18. Impact ‘All the staff are amazing and the teaching methods and styles are enjoyable and accessible. As a mature student I feel I have been given great support and have been made to feel part of the University community and also with my younger peer group on my course…’ (Year 3 BSc Hons Psychology Student) Student Satisfaction

19. Conclusions Outline how a ‘Partnership Learning Community’ may guide staff student partnership practice. Academic representation can take many forms. The significant role and importance of the Academic Representatives and the student voice!

20. Thank you