Community Engagement Project Jana Filosof

2 Project background The debate: Fish (2008) against ‘political indoctrination’; many others urge for the inclusion of civic engagement programmes in universities’ curricula (Wilhite and Silver, 2005; Caputo, 2005; Buys and Bursnall, 2007). June 15 Business School Learning and Teaching Conference

3 Project background University of Hertfordshire – strategic aim of ‘developing and promoting our position within the local and regional community through our Community Engagement Strategy’ (UH, 2010:23). June 15 Business School Learning and Teaching Conference

4 Feedback from the pilot ‘This “simple” task actually helped us to develop a complex set of behaviours that facilitate change within the group context. ‘ J.L., Full Time MBA student ‘Finally and maybe most importantly I have learnt that I can be a leader’ A.M., Part Time MBA student ‘I have learned lot from this activity... how you work in a group, how much motivation plays a role in group activities, how important is internal communication...and above all how charity organizations work’ V.M., Full Time MBA student ‘Your commitment to us was second to none... this shows us what fine people you all are and a great example of Stevenage Borough Council working in partnership with one of its partners’ Joe McCallion, Manager, React for Disability Group. June 15 Business School Learning and Teaching Conference

Project Details Focus of enhancing the assessment element Test the transferability and the adaptability of the model by embedding it on further 2 modules in the Business School –Leading and Managing Strategically (20 LMPS students) –Intrapreneurship and Enterprise (50 MSc Management students) June 15 Business School Learning and Teaching Conference 5

Project Details (Cont.) The model is flexible to adapt to different disciplines. The students were required to work in self- managed groups of up to 5 and to spend at least 8 hours helping in the community. The emphasis of their work and learning from it shifted depending on the learning outcomes of the specific module. June 15 Business School Learning and Teaching Conference

Project Objectives Develop a transferrable model of incorporating working in the community into the programme curricula Provide students with flexible learning opportunities, engaging with the local community Develop an assessment method that encourages meaningful learning; Develop students’ critical skills: critical thinking and critical reflection; and enhancing transferrable skills, such as teamwork, communication and negotiation Utiilize StudyNet facilities to support students’ learning and communication outside the classroom June 15 Business School Learning and Teaching Conference 7

Project – Preliminary Results –Leadership and Change (44 MBA students ) Full- and Part-time; Home and International The project is a required element –Leading and Managing Strategically (14 LMPS students) Part-time; Home The project is an optional element –Intrapreneurship and Enterprise (65 MSc Management students) Full—time; International The project is a required element June 15 Business School Learning and Teaching Conference Volunteering Not chosen Fund raising

Project – Preliminary Results –Leadership and Change (44 MBA students ) 32 questionnaires –Community engagement project questionnaire.docxCommunity engagement project questionnaire.docx –Essays demonstrated learning –Assessment format assisted with writing the final assessment June 15 Business School Learning and Teaching Conference

Project – Preliminary Results Intrapreneurship and Enterprise (65 MSc Management students) – Shorter lead –Struggled with finding a project –Assessment less effective June 15 Business School Learning and Teaching Conference 10

Project – Conclusions Can be adapted to different modules Needs a longer lead time Perhaps more guidance on choosing the projects June 15 Business School Learning and Teaching Conference 11

Summary This is a unique project, currently offered on few other Business School modules, which promotes several strategic aims: –Community engagement –Enhanced student experience, through increased flexible learning opportunities –Innovative assessment June 15 Business School Learning and Teaching Conference 12

Thank You!