{"title":"What does decolonising the curriculum mean for STEM subjects?","authors":"M. Fernandes","doi":"10.21100/COMPASS.V14I2.1230","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21100/COMPASS.V14I2.1230","url":null,"abstract":"The concept of decolonising the curriculum is currently under widespread discussion in higher education. While it is clearer how this can be done in disciplines within Humanities and Social Sciences, it is less obvious how it may be achieved in the STEM subjects, which are based more on technical knowledge and problem-solving.","PeriodicalId":31649,"journal":{"name":"Compass Journal of Learning and Teaching","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-07-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46463863","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Editorial Team 14, 2","authors":"Gillian Keyms","doi":"10.21100/COMPASS.V14I2.1262","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21100/COMPASS.V14I2.1262","url":null,"abstract":"<jats:p>.</jats:p>","PeriodicalId":31649,"journal":{"name":"Compass Journal of Learning and Teaching","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-07-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47925739","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Co-organising hackathons with students: opportunities and best practices","authors":"Nuno N. Correia","doi":"10.21100/COMPASS.V14I2.1216","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21100/COMPASS.V14I2.1216","url":null,"abstract":"We identify problems regarding teaching in higher education, particularly in computing subjects: short attention spans; lack of focus on cutting-edge topics; lack of attention to relevant issues for students; and disconnect from research. We propose that co-organising hackathons with students can assist in addressing these issues. We present a literature review, our experience in organising three hackathons and the resulting feedback gathered from participants. Based on that experience, and in articulation with related literature, we suggest best practices for organising these events. We also discuss applicability to other fields beyond computing.","PeriodicalId":31649,"journal":{"name":"Compass Journal of Learning and Teaching","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-07-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48348691","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A. Magaji, Ana Cabral, Andrew Lambirth, R. McDonald, A. Brett, Chris Philpott
{"title":"Sectors together for professional development: a university team in an action research collaboration with school teachers and senior leaders","authors":"A. Magaji, Ana Cabral, Andrew Lambirth, R. McDonald, A. Brett, Chris Philpott","doi":"10.21100/COMPASS.V14I2.1186","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21100/COMPASS.V14I2.1186","url":null,"abstract":"Action research promotes teaching and learning as it may allow teachers to explore areas of their practices that require improvement. The purpose of this case study is to highlight the steps involved in carrying out action research and any challenges that teachers may encounter in this learning process. This study was developed as a professional development course from 2015 to 2019 attended by more than 150 teachers from early years, primary and secondary schools in London and Kent in the last 4 years. The teachers were registered as students at the University of Greenwich and supported by a university team of researchers. The study identified five steps of the development of teacher-led action research and highlighted the challenges for each step. The steps included defining the field of action; planning; action; evaluation and reflection/(re)planning. This led to the development of an innovative model for the facilitation of action research and collaboration between the university team and participants. The model is used as a framework to enhance the development of teacher-led research in schools.Keywords: action research, teacher-led research, models, collaboration","PeriodicalId":31649,"journal":{"name":"Compass Journal of Learning and Teaching","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-07-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42904826","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Gather.town: An opportunity for self-paced learning in a synchronous, distance-learning environment","authors":"Colin D. McClure, Paul N Williams","doi":"10.21100/COMPASS.V14I2.1232","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21100/COMPASS.V14I2.1232","url":null,"abstract":"The COVID-19 pandemic has forced Higher Education to adopt distance-learning approaches in traditionally face-to-face and practical-based fields such as the Health and Life sciences. Such an abrupt change to distance-learning contexts brings a variety of challenges to student learning communities, and ensuring key skills are effectively transferred. Chief among these is the limited opportunity students have to discuss their individual needs with their educators and peers in a synchronous manner. Proximity-based video-conferencing platforms such as gather.town can offer a unique opportunity for learners to interact with educators as well as pre-developed materials in a self-paced manner to tailor the teaching experience, and develop these relationships in a distance-learning context. In this case study the concepts of statistical analysis and the use of the data analysis software R is introduced to 38 University students using the online platform gather.town. With the use of private spaces, pre-recorded videos, and demonstrators, students are trained in both the concepts and practical skills to undertake data analysis in a self-paced manner. Both students and demonstrators provide their opinions on the effectiveness of the platform, and identify its benefits, preferring it to alternative online systems such as MS Teams for their educational sessions.","PeriodicalId":31649,"journal":{"name":"Compass Journal of Learning and Teaching","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-07-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47349816","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Catherine Farrant, Raluca Marinciu, D. Reilly, L. Warren
{"title":"Supporting students with resits to build self-efficacy","authors":"Catherine Farrant, Raluca Marinciu, D. Reilly, L. Warren","doi":"10.21100/COMPASS.V14I2.1185","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21100/COMPASS.V14I2.1185","url":null,"abstract":"This project explores the experiences of second-year students on Business School programmes regarding the support available to them in relation to resits in year one. The project involves students as partners in their learning, with data collected via interviews and student discussion forums. Findings are that students who are preparing for resit exams like to use question practice in the resit period to provide mastery experiences which build self-efficacy. We find that students may undervalue feedback on an original submission as a source of guidance towards a resit coursework. The fieldwork was completed before the 2020 campus closure necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, based on our findings, we suggest recommendations for practice which can be applied for both on-campus and online delivery of our programmes.Keywords: Business Education, exams, inclusivity, mastery experiences, resits, self-efficacy","PeriodicalId":31649,"journal":{"name":"Compass Journal of Learning and Teaching","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-07-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45737806","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The body healing phenomenon: learning, teaching and living through a pandemic","authors":"P. Gibson, Amber Bale","doi":"10.21100/COMPASS.V14I2.1206","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21100/COMPASS.V14I2.1206","url":null,"abstract":"The COVID-19 lockdown restrictions will likely have had an impact on your daily rituals and routines. Reduced opportunities for much needed collaboration and socialisation may have left you feeling lethargic or overwhelmed (Lavie et al., 2021); it is widely recognised that the issues the pandemic has brought will heighten emotional distress as well as increase risk for psychiatric illness (Pfefferbaum and North, 2020). Whether you are an educator, student, or both, there will have been effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on your practice and performance. In this opinion piece, the phenomenon of body healing is discussed, prompting consideration of this ability to help take back control of our own minds, health and general wellbeing. ","PeriodicalId":31649,"journal":{"name":"Compass Journal of Learning and Teaching","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-07-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45143850","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"“All the world’s a stage” – the Open Broadcaster Software (OBS) as enabling technology to overcome restrictions in online teaching","authors":"Gerhard Kristandl","doi":"10.21100/COMPASS.V14I2.1241","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21100/COMPASS.V14I2.1241","url":null,"abstract":"The Open Broadcaster Software (OBS) Studio is a free software that enables tutors to overcome the typical restrictions of video conferencing software like MS Teams or Zoom. This paper develops from a real-life situation where the pandemic-induced move to online teaching has put severe restrictions on otherwise engaging teaching and student activities – specifically role-plays and use of props - hitherto run in the classroom. The goal is to demonstrate how OBS Studio was set-up and employed to overcome this situation. In doing so, the paper offers a simple set-up tutorial for two scenes against this background to show that using OBS Studio is straightforward and intuitive.","PeriodicalId":31649,"journal":{"name":"Compass Journal of Learning and Teaching","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-07-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41349703","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The future of vocational higher education: the blended learning approach","authors":"Jason Jeevaruban, Gemma Boden","doi":"10.21100/compass.v14i2.1152","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21100/compass.v14i2.1152","url":null,"abstract":"The COVID-19 pandemic has compelled higher education institutions to implement online learning provisions, however, within vocational education, the primary use of online learning may not satisfactorily allow students to achieve competency in practical skills. The blended learning approach offers an incredible solution to this and produces new opportunities to not just build but innovate towards the future.","PeriodicalId":31649,"journal":{"name":"Compass Journal of Learning and Teaching","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-07-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42528936","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Bridging the gap between markers’ tacit knowledge and students’ assessment literacy","authors":"Gemma Mansi","doi":"10.21100/COMPASS.V14I2.1224","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21100/COMPASS.V14I2.1224","url":null,"abstract":"There has been an increasing emphasis within higher education on the need for explicit articulation of assessment standards and requirements and for these to be communicated effectively to students (O’Donovan et al., 2004; Sadler, 2010; Bloxham et al., 2011; McGrath et al., 2019). However, in practice, this can be difficult to achieve, depending, firstly, on markers’ abilities to effectively articulate their tacit knowledge and expectations and, secondly, on the knowledge and understanding of assessments that students bring with them into their degree. This student ability often depends on their previous varied educational experiences. Both students and staff may therefore find this a matter of challenge and frustration.This case study is based on discussions with students on the Childhood and Youth Studies (Extended) programme at the University of Greenwich and with staff across the University, as well as on the researcher’s personal reflections on the findings. It highlights: how important it is for staff to work in partnership with students early on in their studies, so as to develop their understanding of assessment language and the standards expected; how staff consider the experiences students have had with assessment and academic writing; and how they draw implications for assessment practices in their teaching context. Furthermore, the study aims to provide innovative recommendations for how markers can develop a continuing, meaningful dialogue with students, to enable them to build an understanding of their markers’ tacit knowledge about assessment and feedback in their discipline. ","PeriodicalId":31649,"journal":{"name":"Compass Journal of Learning and Teaching","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-07-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45022498","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}