Foundation Degree Sustainable Communities

Foundation Degree Sustainable Communities

Workshop at the Northumbria Programme and Subject Leaders’

Conference 2009

Purpose of workshop• To outline some of the key attributes of the

Foundation Degree, • To explore some of the decisions taken in

relation to curriculum, learning and teaching approaches, assessment and delivery,

• To outline early stage student feedback on their experience of the programme, and

• To seek contributions and observations from colleagues on the case study

Background• The Sustainable Communities Plan (2003)• Egan Review/ Egan Wheel• Generic and Technical Skills• Establishment of RCE’s and ASC• Sounding Board to develop FD• ASC FD Framework• First Foundation Degree in Sustainable

Communities (Sheffield Hallam)• Collaborative approach by SBE and SASS to

develop Northumbria’s FD in SC

Foundation Degree• The Foundation Degree is a three year, part-

time, programme of study (120 credits L4, 120 credits L5)

• Joint delivery between Schools of the Built Environment and Arts & Social Science

• Focus on widening access and participation• Meeting and reflecting local needs• Work/practice based learning

Foundation DegreeLaunched September 2008

Foundation DegreeLaunched September 2008

Foundation DegreePartnerships with industry• Local employers– Consultation on curriculum, assessment and

delivery– Guest speakers– Field visits

• Homes & Communities Agency Academy(Formerly Academy for Sustainable Communities)

• Chartered Institute of Housing

Curriculum• Developed through consultation with ASC and

local employers, • with recognition of FD and subject specific

benchmarking statements• Strong focus on multi-disciplinary nature of

the Government’s ‘sustainable communities’ agenda

• Incorporates PDP and reflective practice approaches

Learning & Teaching• Teaching and learning involves a mix of – traditional lectures, – discussion groups, – examination of case study material, – directed learning, – site visits and – guest presentations

Assessment• Work based• Skills based– Professional skills– Study skills– Reflective practice

• Assessment for learning• Professional practice

Delivery• Block teaching on Friday and Saturday once a

month. • Directed ‘mini-project’ work to apply

principles in practice between blocks at Uni• elearning resources

Challenges• Most people are unsure what a Foundation

Degree is• Fees (esp VCS)• Mix of students• Move to Unitary• Economic Downturn• Delivery• Collaborative School approach

(administration)

Initial Student Feedback

Initial Student Feedback“Personally, I think the new Sustainable Communities course at Northumbria is great. Not only because it covers a wide range of subjects which link into my current role as a Housing Officer, but also because I'm only required to take one day per month out of my working calendar to attend University. I am coming to the end of my first academic year, and feel that i've learnt so much already. I have also been able to apply my newly acquired skills and knowledge at work, which has had a great impact on the quality of work that I produce. I would highly recommend this course to anybody working in a similar role.”

Next steps• New markets• Widening access/participation• Revisions to delivery• Reflections on reflective practice• Incorporating ELLI• Field study• Inter-organisational student projects

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Your feedback

• Comments, questions all welcome

• Particularly examples of your own approaches which might

help improve the FD