Doing and Reflecting: the Arts of Active Learning - Professor Paul Kleiman

• No one could possibly object to the idea of Active Learning i.e. students engaged in doing meaningful learning activities and thinking carefully about what they’ve been doing.  Yet, like change or creativity, everyone likes the idea of Active Learning but not everyone likes the idea of it happening to them. Active Learning poses challenges to the ‘engrooved’ discourses, cultures and practices of higher education; to students’ perceptions and expectations of higher education; to our identities as academics and teachers; and to how we conceptualise learning, teaching and knowledge. In this keynote Paul Kleiman explores how long-established practices in arts higher education provide models of Active Learning, and how those models usefully might transfer to other disciplines. 

• Room: PG and CPD Centre Lounge

In this keynote. Professor Paul Kleiman explores how long-established practices in arts higher education provide models of Active Learning, and how those models usefully might transfer to other disciplines. 

i) Our global challenges - quickfire presentations from around our Research Institutes

• Presenters: 
• Prof Jon Silverman, “The misuse of Whatsapp in a Least Developed Country, Sierra Leone” 

Following on from a successful partnership with the University of Sierra Leone, which has yielded both a UoB PhD for a Sierra Leonean academic and a number of peer-reviewed journal articles, Prof Jon Silverman is using GCRF funding to set up a Media & Politics WhatsApp group involving students and staff at the University (the oldest in West Africa) to analyse the pattern of messaging in a highly divisive political, ethnic and social environment. 

• Dr Christina Schwabenland, “Resilience, resistance and recipes”

Cooking and embroidery are two of the most common income generating activities that Palestinian women’s organisations promote and yet they have attracted some criticism for sustaining traditional stereotypes about women’s work (Al Dajanai and Marlow 2010). However, our research takes a different interpretation. In a context where the nationhood and cultural identity of Palestinians is constantly under threat, and where physical survival can be difficult, the provisions of life enhancing and culturally affirming food can be seen as an act of resistance and resilience. My paper draws on interviews and observation to identify what such resources are in this context, and how the provision of food becomes a form of agency. Dr Christina Schwabenland, Reader will talk about her research at the conference

• Professor Sreenivasaprasad, “Pathways to Food and Nutrition Security in Sub-Saharan Africa”

Food and nutrition security is widely recognised as a global double burden due to under-nutrition and over-nutrition in various parts of the world leading to a whole range of negative impacts on people's health and wellbeing and the economies. In Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), the dual challenge of mineral nutrition deficiencies and associated disease burdens are beginning to be further recognised.  We have ongoing research supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the US-National Science Foundation-BREAD (Basic Research to Enable Agricultural Development) initiative (not GCRF) including two PhD programmes funded by the Nigerian Government Agencies to address these areas. The research focuses on developing new knowledge and resources to improve the productivity and utilisation of a cereal crop which is the key source of nutrition for millions of resource poor people in parts of SSA.   Prasad S. Sreenivasaprasad, Professor of Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, will discuss this interdisciplinary research in this session.

• Room: PM06, PG Centre

ii) What are students thinking?

• Presenter: Dr Ruth Sayers. Dr Sayers is a consultant who has worked in drama education for 40 years, across all phases from Primary to HE. Her experiences include workshop leader, classroom teacher, lecturer, programme leader and Executive Dean of Learning and Teaching. She believes active learning experiences are vital for effective learning and teaching.
• Room: P203, PG Centre

This workshop will offer the opportunity to work practically together to consider: Who are our students? What are their expectations of the learning experience? What do they bring to the classroom? What are their barriers to learning? We will use role play to model the types of student we encounter and reflect on the teaching methodologies we offer them.

iii) General Mental Health Awareness in the workplace

• Presenter: Tania Brown Employee Assistance Programme
• Room: P102, PG Centre

An overall awareness of mental health issues and symptoms is useful in all aspects of our roles.  Learn how to promote a positive mental health culture at the University.  Learn to identify the early signs of mental health issues.  Pick up some tips for supporting your own and colleagues’ mental health issues and how to encourage open conversations about mental health.  

iv) STEM Tour

Take a tour of our new four-storey STEM building, which opens its doors to students in September. You will have the chance to go behind the scenes and see the new state-of-the-art science laboratories, teaching rooms and outreach community space.

v) Our global challenges - quickfire presentations from around our Research Institutes

• Presenters: 
• Prof Gurch Randhawa, “The shortage of organs for transplant”

We have utilised our GCRF funding to invest in a joint PhD studentship with the Mohan foundation to focus on the issue of organ donation, as there is a global shortage of organs for transplant. Gurch Randhawa, Professor of Diversity in Public Health, will speak to this topic at the conference.

• Professor Emily Munro, “African Network of Care-leaving Researchers”

Young people making the transition from out-of-home care at risk of poor outcomes including, poverty, low education attainment, unemployment, physical and mental ill-health.  Professor Emily Munro, Goldberg Professor of Social Work Research will present on her GCRF work to develop a collaborative and coordinated leaving care research agenda for Africa which draws on an understanding of both the international and African literature and research by bringing together researchers from the University of Johannesburg, University of Ghana, members of the African Network of Leaving Care Researchers, University of Bedfordshire, Queen’s University Belfast and Boston University.  

• Dr Nahal Khabbazbashi, “IELTS: what does a systematic literature review tell us?

IELTS and the changing landscape of higher education. IELTS is a high-stakes English language test used for study, migration or work and is currently taken by over 3.5 million people a year around the world. In light of technological innovations as well as the changing landscape of higher education, we have used funding by the IELTS partners to conduct a comprehensive review of studies carried out over the past quarter century in various learning and assessment contexts to suggest a number of developments for the future of IELTS. This research will be presented by Dr Nahal Khabbazbashi, Senior Lecturer in Language Testing at CRELLA.

• Room: PM06, PG Centre

vi) Designing space to enhance teaching and learning

• Presenters: Dr Sally Bentley and Dr Diogo Casanova 

Dr Sally Bentley, as a Principal Fellow of the HEA, has a long-held interest in enhancing teaching and learning and has led on the design of a range of learning spaces.

Diogo is Associate Professor in Online Learning and Quality at the University of West of London. With a background in Education, his research interests include physical and online learning spaces; learning design and learning analytics; and quality and policy in Online and Blended Learning.

• Room: P203, PG Centre

Why does designing the learning environment matter?  This first part of the session will explore the theory underpinning the design of formal and informal learning spaces and how this can impact on student learning. The Gateway Building in Bedford is used as a case study. The second part of the session will explore how we can improve our existing spaces.  During a short workshop, participants will focus on one of a selection of spaces (looking at plans and pictures) and suggest ways to change the environment to improve teaching and learning.

vii) Engaging in conversation for success

• Presenter: John Grisby 
• Room: P102, PG Centre

Leader-Manager-Coach: learn how to take advantage of different types of conversations. During this session you will learn how to increase your engagement with others; distinguish different types of conversations; use your voice in different types of conversations; be more proactive and shift conversations; actively shape the way you communicate.

viii) STEM Tour

Take a tour of our new four-storey STEM building, which opens its doors to students in September. You will have the chance to go behind the scenes and see the new state-of-the-art science laboratories, teaching rooms and outreach community space.

Pick up your lunch at any time during the hour from the Lounge area, ground floor, PG and CPD Centre, Luton campus. Please indicate on the Eventbrite booking if you require lunch.

Find out more about the following at our lunchtime stands: 

• BREO - Come along to the BREO stand and find out how you can use BREO to support your students. The digital learning team with be there to offer you some guidance, help and support with BREO.  You’ll get a friendly smile, helpful staff and maybe even a chocolate. Do join us at the conference.
• UIF & CIF - The UIF/CIF project team are available to talk to you about the new online workflow for UIF and CIF creation and modification.
• Mediation - Talk to some of the new team of mediators about what mediation is, how it can benefit staff and how the new service will operate at the University.
• STEM - Take a tour of our new four- storey STEM building, which opens its doors to students in September. You will have the chance to go behind the scenes and see the new state-of-the-art science laboratories, teaching rooms and outreach community space.

ix) STEM Tour

Take a tour of our new four-storey STEM building, which opens its doors to students in September. You will have the chance to go behind the scenes and see the new state-of-the-art science laboratories, teaching rooms and outreach community space.

x) Research in HE Education

• Presenters: 
• Dr Sandar Win, The Feedback Day in Accounting. Dr Sandar Win (UBBS) shares reflections on the exam feedback day in Accounting and how these have led to research outputs.

• Anna-Marie Madeley, Innovative use of Panopto.  This session is grounded in learning from the PG Diploma in Academic Practice, and in particular explores the use of technology to enhance teaching, learning and assessment. The presentation will describe how the inbuilt quiz function of Panopto was used to support theoretical neonatal life support instruction, revision and practice, within a current unit, along with plans for future use and student feedback.
   
• Steve Connolly and Gareth Bates, Learning Styles: the myth. This short presentation will explore the origins of the "learning styles" discourse and offer some other ways of thinking about the relationship between students and the way they learn. These involve seeing students as having a set of "cognitive preferences" or even more fundamentally, a set of emotional responses to ways of teaching.  
• Room: PM06

xi) Choosing the right active learning techniques for maximum engagement from students

• Presenter: Dr Ruth Sayers
• Room: P102

This practical workshop will give an opportunity to both reflect on the range of teaching methodologies available to the tutor and also select the best one to open up the topic. Our learning area will be ‘Women who commit crimes of violence’ but no knowledge of this topic is needed. Participants will take part in an active learning experience led by the workshop leader.

xii) Playing to my strengths

• Presenter: Kathy Toogood. Kathy is an experienced trainer, coach and facilitator working in a range of universities and organisations to support the professional development of staff working for the Bedford-based consultancy, Strengths Focused Leadership.
• Room: PM03

Would you like to enhance your performance, motivation and fulfillment at work by playing to your strengths? This workshop will introduce you to some of the many benefits of focusing on strengths and adopting a strengths focus in your work.  The payoffs include greater energy in your work, increased confidence and even better results.

xiii) STEM Tour

Take a tour of our new four-storey STEM building, which opens its doors to students in September. You will have the chance to go behind the scenes and see the new state-of-the-art science laboratories, teaching rooms and outreach community space.

xiv) Testing English Language skills for University study and are MPs actually alive? 700,000 tweets offer some insight 

• Presenters: Tony Green and Mark Margaretten  
• Room: PM06

Prof Tony Green - Testing English Language skills for University study - Whether studying Accountancy or Tourism, Electronic Engineering or Sports Science, there is one thing that all our students need for success on their courses: the English language. Studying in a language they do not fully understand or experiencing difficulties managing the heavy reading and writing demands of many courses puts students at severe risk of poor academic performance, or failure. Can tests help us to tell whether prospective students have the language skills they will need? Can tests help us to identify the kinds of support that might be required to help them to succeed? This presentation takes a critical look at language tests and the ways in which they are used by UK universities.

Mark Margaretten - Are MPs actually alive? 700,000 tweets offer some insight - The notion that MPs must behave authentically, as normal people do, has become more prominent during the Brexit and Trump years, so with this in mind, a content analysis of all tweets sent by MPs between 2011 and 2012 has revealed five distinct behavioural models that can help explain and categorize our representatives. This session should provide an informative and entertaining look at how politicians use social media.

xv) Appy Holidays

• Presenter: Nicholas Botfield 
• Room: P102

This session will showcase a range of easy to use tools such as Poll Everywhere, Padlet and Socrative  that you might find useful both inside and outside of the classroom to boost student engagement, support critical thinking, and develop collaboration. The apps demonstrated will look at quizzing and polling in the classroom; sharing ideas; curating your research; and enhancing presentations. The CLE will also showcase the new Technology Enhanced Learning Community on BREO and demonstrate how it can be used as a one stop shop for technology-enhanced learning at Bedfordshire.

xvi) What's important to me? 

• Presenter: Kathy Toogood
• Room: PM03

If you were asked where you would like to go next in your career, would you say, “I’m not sure”? Is it difficult to know where to start with answering this question? This workshop will introduce you to importance of clarifying your values in relation to your work and career, and so give you a clearer idea of where to go next. 

xvii) STEM Tour

Take a tour of our new four-storey STEM building, which opens its doors to students in September. You will have the chance to go behind the scenes and see the new state-of-the-art science laboratories, teaching rooms and outreach community space.

Tea and coffee will be available in the lounge area, ground floor, PG and CPD Centre, Luton Campus.

14.30-15.15

xviii) STEM Tour

Take a tour of our new four-storey STEM building, which opens its doors to students in September. You will have the chance to go behind the scenes and see the new state-of-the-art science laboratories, teaching rooms and outreach community space.

xix) The Active University 

• Presenter: Vice Chancellor, Bill Rammell
• Room: PG and CPD Centre Lounge

The University of Bedfordshire has had to respond to many changes in recent years. Our core mission to widen access into higher education and transform lives has always remained the same. However, the ways to achieving success have changed. 

In his keynote, our University’s Vice Chancellor, Bill Rammell, will explore the challenges and opportunities facing the University. He will set out how the University has responded pro-actively and innovatively to change and how it plans to adapt to the changes of the future

xix) Question Time

Question Time is coming to the University of Bedfordshire. Come and join our own Question Time session at the Annual Staff Conference. It will be a lively debate about topical issues in higher education. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and have discussions with our vibrant panel of experts and chaired by our very own Linda Price. Be sure not to miss it!

PG Centre Lounge

The Panel:

• Ruth Bourne (Chair) Registrar and University Secretary
• Bill Rammell, Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive
  
  Bill Rammell took office as Vice Chancellor at the University of Bedfordshire in September 2012. Prior to that he was Deputy Vice Chancellor at Plymouth University where he was responsible for the student experience and internationalisation. Bill was MP for Harlow from 1997 to 2010. He was Minister of State for Further and Higher Education in the Labour Government and also served as Minister of State for the Foreign Office and Minister of State for the Armed Forces. With a commitment to widening access to higher education that is rooted in personal, academic and government experience, Bill leads the University's mission to deliver the best possible student experience for an international learning community. He is passionate about the University's record and role in transforming lives, promoting employability and world-leading research.

• Shakira Martin, Former NUS President 

  After serving as Vice President (Further Education) for two years, Shakira was elected President in April 2017. She successfully completed a Diploma in Education and Training whilst sitting on the NUS Black Students’ Campaign Committee as the FE representative. Shakira is the second President in NUS history to not have gone to university before taking up the post.

• Cllr Hazel Simmons MBE, Leader, Luton Borough Council

  Hazel moved to Luton in 1984 and became a Councillor for Lewsey Ward, Luton in 1991.  She carried out a numerous roles within the Council including Chair of Leisure, Equalities, Standards Board and Area Board.  She was also an Executive Member and Deputy Leader before becoming Leader in 2007. Hazel has over 35 years Trade Union and political experience as well as Voluntary and Community Sector involvement. This includes the setting up of a Youth Café in Lewsey for young people at risk of offending. Hazel is passionate about the involvement of local people in the democratic process and was also one of the first members of the Luton All Women’s Centre. She is determined to provide excellent quality and accessible services for the people of Luton. Hazel has been Chair of Luton Forum, Luton’s Local Strategic Partnership, since becoming Leader and is now Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board. Hazel has always been keen of provision of Sports and Arts and led on the Inspire Sports Village.

• Tara Alade, Alumni

        Former Beds SU President and Alumni studied BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy, Tara is currently a Youth Voice and Insight Officer.

xx) 16.15 - 16.30 - HEA Fellowship Awards 2018-19, with drinks reception

• Room: PG Centre Lounge

All staff are welcome to celebrate members of staff who have made an outstanding impact on student outcomes and the teaching profession. HEA Fellowship demonstrates a personal and institutional commitment to professionalism in learning and teaching in higher education. Across four categories, from Associate to Principal, Fellowship provides individuals with recognition of their practice, impact and leadership of teaching and learning.