Using independent research to enhance employability in first year History students

Using independent research to enhance employability in first year History students

Chris Corker and Sarah Holland

Associate Lecturers in History

Chris.Corker@shu.ac.uk

Sarah.Holland@shu.ac.uk

Making History 2 Redesign

• Three key ideas: – Emphasize skills development on a history

degree and begin to introduce employability– Enable students to engage with primary

sources outside of the University– Highlight the relationship between academic

history and public history

• Students undertake a group research project on a topic of their choice

Aspects Of Sheffield History

Poster Exhibition

Hallam Hall

19 April 2013

Skills DevelopmentVerbal Communication 47%

Teamwork 86%

Commercial Awareness 16%

Analysis and Investigation 58%

Initiative/Self-Motivation 44%

Information Technology/Computer Skills 23%

Written Communication 30%

Planning and Organisation 77%

Independence 51%

Time Management 58%

Transferability & Future Development

• Allowing students to choose their own topic improves engagement

• Using sources outside of the University promotes student autonomy

• Basic level of reflection on skills development a way to introduce employability to students in first year

• Need to make explicit which skills are being developed to students in the future