Blended Learning Development at SOAS, University of London

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Heidi Ward, Learning Development Manager, hw21@soas.ac.uk & Javiera Atenas, BLE Support Officer9th December 2013

Blended Learning Development at SOAS, University of London

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SOAS at a glance• More than 350 undergraduate degree combinations and 115 graduate

programmes are available in social sciences, arts, humanities and languages.

• There is a roughly equal split between undergraduates (55%) and postgraduates (45%).

• About 3,600 students around the world on distance learning programmes.

• There is a roughly equal split between undergraduates (55%) and postgraduates (45%).

• SOAS has more than 5,000 students from 133 countries on campus, and just over 50% per cent of them are from outside the UK.

• 24% of undergraduates are over 21 when they start their course.

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Academic Development Directorate (ADD)

Comprises of:

• Learning and Teaching

• E-learning

• Widening Participation

• Quality Assurance

http://www.soas.ac.uk/add/

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The Learning and Teaching Team

Learning Development

Research Skills Training

Academic Teaching

Development

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Learning Development

at SOAS

1-1 writing tutorials

Workshops

Embedded sessions

Skills for Success (online)

Support for students

with SpLDs

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Skills for Success

A collaboration between:

• Academic Development Directorate

• Library

• English Language Unit (IFCELS)

http://ble.soas.ac.uk/

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No. of student hits so far (Oct- Dec 2013)

Dedicated Masters Student SupportDevelopment of the programme has been informed by the following:

• A literature review on transition to Masters study

• Web-based research on academic support provided to Masters students by 30 UK universities

• Consultation with SOAS staff and students

• Participation in the HEA Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey

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Study skills workshops They include:

• Academic reading

• Critical thinking

• Essay and dissertation writing skills

• Presentation skills

• Time management and managing your workload

• Academic Integrity and effective use of sources

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One-to-one academic writing tutorialsTopics covered include:

• how to approach essay questions

• planning your essay or dissertation

• organising your ideas and arguments

• using the correct tone and academic language

• how to reference correctly and avoid plagiarism

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Embedded subject-specific sessionsTopics covered include:

• Essay/dissertation writing

• Reading for research/writing

• Note-taking

• Presenting in seminars

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What next?…• Phase 2 development of Skills for Success: Study Skills on BLE,

focusing on working with academic departments to develop subject specific study skills guidance.

• Following up and developing relevant areas of the NSS and PTES. Key areas include: assessment and feedback, academic support and personal development.

• Review the effectiveness of the new and current provision at all levels.

• Consider a ‘study coach’ pilot with academic departments.

• Develop further the transitions programme for new starters.

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