Learning & Teaching Strategy

4 | Learning & Teaching Strategy www.fife.ac.uk

Table of Contents

A LEARNING AND TEACHING STRATEGY FOR FIFE COLLEGE 2

1. BACKGROUND 4

2. INTRODUCTION 4

3. CORE PRINCIPLES 5

4. STRATEGIC THEMES 6

THEME 1 - Accessibility: 6

THEME 2 - Student Experience: 6

THEME 3 - Student Skills: 7

THEME 4 - Staff Skills: 7

THEME 5 - Research and Innovation: 8

Associated Documents 8

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AccessibilityEnsure equity of access to learning opportunities in different environments

Student ExperienceEnsure an effective, high quality learning experience for all students

Students SkillsEnsure students are equipped for the world of work, for further learning and for their role in society

Staff SkillsEnsure all staff involved in learning and teaching have the skills they need to teach effectively in different learning environments

Research and InnovationEnsure approaches to learning and teaching are evidence informed and evidence creating

1 2 3 4 5

VisionHigh quality learning and teaching at the heart of a relevant, responsive curriculum

To developIndependent learners able to progress in employment, self-employment or further study

Strategic Themes

Informed by

Principles of effective learning and teaching, and of effective professional development

Engagement with national priorities

Self-evaluation and external review

Meaningful and wide ranging engagement with employers and with learners

Connectivity and partnership working with Fife schools

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1. BACKGROUND

This Learning and Teaching Strategy has been developed following a process of research and discussion with staff who will have responsibility for its implementation. The first stage in its development was a synthesis of the learning and teaching strategies of the three legacy colleges. This identified a number of key themes and associated objectives. These were discussed at the first meeting of the Fife College Learning and Teaching Committee in June 2014 and a first draft was produced. Desk research was then undertaken to identify good practice in developing and implementing a learning and teaching strategy and a second draft was discussed and amended at the second meeting of the Learning and Teaching Committee in September 2014. Further amendments were made following discussion of the Strategy at the Curriculum Conference, also in September 2014.

2. INTRODUCTION

Learning and Teaching is the core function of Fife College. The current Strategic Plan sets out the College’s vision to provide:

“lifelong learning opportunities to promote employability, develop personal and employment skills and encourage achievement and progression”

It also states the College’s intentions to:

“develop and implement a Fife College Learning and Teaching Strategy that supports the development of engaging and high quality learning experiences that creates opportunities for our communities”

and to: “promote and support the continuous professional

development of staff supporting curricular development and College sustainability”.

The Learning and Teaching Strategy articulates the College’s specific commitments relating to learning, teaching and assessment and the core principles which underpin them. Five key themes are identified and for each there are several key supporting objectives. Annual implementation plans will set out in more detail how these commitments are to be delivered, responsibilities for achieving them and key performance measures.

Ownership of the Learning and Teaching Strategy lies with all College staff but primarily with Teaching Departments. Their engagement with it will be evaluated through the processes of course review and self-evaluation. The Learning and Teaching Committee has specific responsibility for encouraging and monitoring its implementation and for presenting regular reports to the Board of Governors.

The Learning and Teaching Strategy will be reviewed and updated annually.

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3. CORE PRINCIPLES

The following core principles underpin this Learning and Teaching Strategy.

1 Effective learning, teaching and assessment is the core function of Fife College and the successful implementation of the Learning and Teaching Strategy is the responsibility of all staff who support learning and teaching.

2 All students should have access to a curriculum which is appropriate to their needs, level and aspirations and which provides clear pathways to employment, self-employment or further study.

3 All students should have access to the information, support and facilities they need to enable them to engage in their learning.

4 Learning is not confined to formal contexts of taught programmes; students and staff learn in formal and informal contexts and through a variety of modes.

5 Teaching and assessment approaches should be informed by evidence and sound pedagogical principles.

6 Teaching and assessment resources and practices should enhance students’ understanding of equality and diversity and so contribute to their development as responsible citizens.

7 Teaching approaches that are creative and engaging provide the best opportunities for students to acquire the knowledge, understanding, skills and values they need to be successful in their programme of study and in their lives beyond College.

8 Effective formative assessment and feedback are key drivers of successful learning.

9 Students should have opportunities to develop competence and confidence in learning in the digital environment.

10 Students should be enabled to take responsibility for their own learning and to play an active role in shaping learning, teaching and assessment practices.

11 The effectiveness of learning, teaching and assessment practices should be regularly evaluated and effective practice shared in order to assure quality and enhance practice.

12 A wide range of professional development opportunities which address the needs of all staff who support learning and teaching is necessary to support innovation and quality in learning, teaching and assessment.

13 A healthy learning and teaching culture is one in which a relevant curriculum is maintained, innovation and creativity are encouraged, and staff and student teaching and learning are recognised and celebrated.

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4. STRATEGIC THEMES

THEME 1 - Accessibility:Ensure equity of access to learning opportunities in different environments

Our aim is: to provide information, support and facilities that enable

all students to effectively participate in appropriate programmes of study

We will achieve this by:

1.1 Building and maintaining strong relationships with schools, universities, employers and other partners to provide clear pathways and ensure effective transitions to and from programmes of study

1.2 Providing facilities for the welfare, guidance and support of students to enable them to effectively choose and progress on their programme of study

1.3 Providing appropriate additional support and technologies for all learners who need them

1.4 Ensuring students are able to access essential skills development opportunities appropriate to their level and programme

1.5 Providing a modern, accessible and well-maintained physical environment for learning, teaching and assessment and ensuring that the College is an environmentally friendly and pleasant place to study

1.6 Providing modern learner services and access to a wide range of electronic resources from home as well as on campus and excellent provision of books, journals and other support materials

THEME 2 - Student Experience:Ensure the student learning experience is of high quality

Our aim is to: promote learning and teaching in a supportive and

stretching environment that enriches the learning experience

We will achieve this by:

2.1 Considering appropriate scheduling and resource requirements when planning for delivery

2.2 Employing a range of teaching and assessment approaches which are appropriate to the needs of specific groups of learners and learning contexts and informed by sound pedagogical principles

2.3 Ensuring that students study in well-equipped, well-maintained teaching accommodation where up-to-date technological resources can support innovative teaching and assessment methods

2.4 Developing the Virtual Learning Environment to support learning, teaching and assessment, both on off campus

2.5 Supporting students to develop competence and confidence in learning in the digital environment

2.6 Planning assessment across the programme, adopting a holistic approach where appropriate, and managing assessment scheduling to avoid assessment overload

2.7 Developing a wide range of innovative assessment approaches as means of promoting student learning as well as providing evidence of that learning including e-assessment

2.8 Providing regular opportunities for students to contribute their views on the learning and teaching experience and incorporating these in the evaluative process

2.9 Ensuring all staff involved in learning and teaching engage in continuous individual and team self-evaluation processes to improve the learning experiences of our students

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THEME 3 - Student Skills:Ensure students are equipped for the world of work, for further learning and for their wider role in society

Our aim is to: provide learning experiences that help students to develop

vocational skills, enterprising attitudes and innovative approaches while at the same time increasing their employability and developing them as responsible citizens

We will achieve this by:

3.1 Ensuring curriculum design is informed by socio-economic and technological trends, best practice and market intelligence

3.2 Ensuring students experience learning in an environment that reflects current business practice, delivered by staff who have up-to-date skills and experience

3.3 Promoting practices that encourage and expect students to take responsibility for their own learning, engage in sign-posted self-directed study and monitor their own progress

3.4 Providing experiences that encourage the development of enterprising learning and innovative learning attitudes and approaches

3.5 Incorporating in programmes of study the development of abilities and attributes associated with employability and citizenship and making these transparent to students

THEME 4 - Staff Skills:Ensure all staff involved in learning and teaching have the skills they need to teach effectively in different learning environments

Our aim is to: develop a culture in which the skills of all those who

teach and support learning are continuously developed, recognised and shared.

We will achieve this by:

4.1 Ensuring new staff have the fundamental skills necessary to plan, deliver, support and assess learning by providing appropriate induction and initial professional development opportunities

4.2 Providing post-initial, accredited professional development opportunities, e.g. TQFE

4.3 Ensuring that all staff continue to develop as effective practitioners by co-ordinating provision of relevant, in-context, continuous professional development opportunities, both formal and informal

4.4 Supporting all staff involved in learning and teaching to acquire expertise in online pedagogy and support for learning

4.5 Providing mechanisms and forums for staff to share resources and experiences

4.6 Enabling staff to learn from and with one another through Shared Teaching Practice, coaching and mentoring

4.7 Encouraging staff to participate in professional networks and collaborations

4.8 Providing opportunities for staff to engage in action research initiatives

4.9 Ensuring that all staff are aware of and implement

College policy relating to access and inclusion and are able to direct students to appropriate support services

4.10 Ensuring that all staff are aware of the Equality and Diversity Action Plan and promote E&D in their teaching practice and materials

4.11 Ensuring staff are aware of and practise the principles of effective feedback and formative assessment

4.12 Recognising and celebrating high quality teaching practice

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THEME 5 - Research and Innovation: Ensure approaches to learning and teaching are evidence informed and evidence creating

Our aim is to: promote continuous improvement of curriculum design

and delivery by encouraging a culture of research and innovative practice.

We will achieve this by:

5.1 Supporting the development of evidence informed approaches to learning, teaching and assessment

5.2 Developing research projects that will help inform thinking and practices relating to the improvement of the learner experience, evaluate their impact and share findings

5.3 Encouraging creativity in curriculum design and delivery within and between disciplines

ASSOCIATED DOCUMENTS

FCP2.11 – Admissions Policy & Procedure Location: Gateway

FCP2.09 - Assessment Policy (incorporating appeals) Location: iLearn

FCP2.12 - Conflict of Interest Policy Location: iLearn

FCP2.16 - Invigilation Policy Location: iLearn

FCG4.14 - Self-reflection on Learning & Teaching Location: iLearn

FCP2.03 – E & D Policy (STUDENTS) Location: iLearn