Learning & Teaching Conference 2022

The session will briefly describe the findings from a Learning & Teaching innovation project in the School of Law, which worked with students as partners in building community as the basis for better student wellbeing. It will then outline a new standalone interdisciplinary Level 4 module being prepared for 2022/23 - with a working title 'Learning and Leading to Make a Difference'. This will run as a pilot module with the intention of creating useful resources and approaches for staff as they work to build community on their courses. 

 
The module will allow students to gain additional University credits which demonstrate their ability to act as a leader and role model, with key transferable employability skills and characteristics and the ability to make a difference in the world. It will introduce them to some of the University’s cutting edge research aiming to meet key challenges facing society and invites them to collaborate as partners, testing and co-constructing the University of Portsmouth’s distinctive Learning Well framework. The course will be run as a piece of participant action research with participants acting as a community of practice contributing to the research. Students will also work together in smaller active peer support groups, proactively building a supportive learning community. 

 
Module credits will be earned as students build a portfolio of evidence demonstrating their ability to embrace learning challenges, to work effectively in teams and working communities, and to lead others in addressing key challenges such as improving wellbeing/mental health, sustainability and social justice. They will practise key learning and leadership practices such as setting boundaries, identifying personal values, strengths and valued identities, giving and getting respect, active listening, bystander intervention, restorative practice, and ally-ship. Students will apply these skills to their own learning challenges, evaluating their impact and contributing to resources and initiatives to inspire other students to play their own part in building.

The aims of the session are to:

•  Consider strategies for engaging students as partners in building strong learning communities

• Be aware of resources that they can use in the context of skills modules or personal tutoring for developing their students' teamwork, citizenship and personal development skills.