2020 Teaching and Learning conference
Thursday, 06 February 2020
On 22 January, our 2020 Teaching and Learning conference took place in the Meadow Suite on Whiteknights campus. Titled ‘Engage, Enhance, Empower: Supporting student achievement', the event explored themes of assessment and feedback and wellbeing and resilience, with a particular focus on how they interrelate.
140 colleagues attended to hear Chris Rust, Emeritus Professor of Higher Education at Oxford Brookes University, lead our keynote session, during which he expounded the benefits of taking a programme-focussed approach to both assessment and assessment feedback, in contrast to the piecemeal attempts to solving the criticisms of current assessment practices that are often seen. Central to his ideas was the role that programme design also plays in developing students' wellbeing and resilience, and in particular, the ability to self-assess and become critically self-aware.
In-depth parallel sessions ran in the morning and afternoon, providing colleagues with the opportunity to interact and explore the subject-matter in more detail. These included presentations on inclusive assessment approaches, embedding wellbeing into the curriculum, and a demonstration of ‘Stories of Our Studies' - a form of interactive, reflective practice for students in which an improvisatory form of theatre is used to ‘play back' stories of student experience. This process can support emotional literacy and well-being in students at all levels of study.
The afternoon continued with a series of lightning talks given by colleagues who have recently achieved HEA fellowship through the FLAIR Framework, showcasing examples of best practice from across the University around the conference themes. This was followed by a celebratory event to recognise the achievement of all colleagues who have been awarded HEA Fellowship, during which a number presented posters on key areas of their work.
We would like to thank all our speakers and attendees for helping to make the conference such a success, and a valuable time of learning for all involved. Please find the associated videos and slides on our conference webpage.