Expectations, Experiences and Encounters in HE and HE in FE – The 3E’s a collaborative project between HEI’s and FEC’s in the NW June 12th 2009

Key Focus Network aims - learning, teaching, research Dissemination, development and sustainability Extending and enhancing the subject expertise within ADM’s audience Promoting constructive exchange between HEI’s and FEC’s

Key areas of activity for the network Involving more staff in the NW Gaining student and staff views of the 3E’s Learning from process and practice in HE and HE in FE Sharing good practice through critical reflection on collaborative research

Areas of investigation Pre-entry On-entry On-course On-completion* ( Community Arts, Design, Fashion, Fine Art, Graphics, Illustration, Marketing, Media, Music, Multimedia, Photography, Textiles)

Expectations Student expected…… Good education & degree To get a good job Good educational environment with good facilities Student appreciated…… Contact staff and students Information Friendly environment Tours of facilities Group work & social events Issues…… Feedback Balance work & social activities Group sizes Larger institution / halls Overseas students

Experiences Student appreciated…… Induction activities Visits & European Trips Industrial knowledge Guidance, input & support Great relationships with staff Broad approach to teaching Issues…… Accommodation Support More feedback Student staff interaction Course activities FE Facilities

The North West Group of the Universities of Bolton, Central Lancashire, Chester, Manchester and Cumbria with Blackpool and Fylde, Bradford, Burnley, Stockport and West Cheshire colleges. Encounters Student appreciated…… Workshops Group sizes Course introduction Skills Group work, social events and projects Friendships Issues…… Halls / HE area Overseas students FE Trips 1 to 1 Overview `

The North West Group of the Universities of Bolton, Central Lancashire, Chester, Manchester and Cumbria with Blackpool and Fylde, Bradford, Burnley, Stockport and West Cheshire colleges.

The North West Group of the Universities of Bolton, Central Lancashire, Chester, Manchester and Cumbria with Blackpool and Fylde, Bradford, Burnley, Stockport and West Cheshire colleges. Expectations College Small friendly environment Locality Smaller groups The chance to improve employment prospects and wage. Staff industrial experience and approachability. Up to date facilities. University Professional facilities Extended access University culture Issues: Do Non-specialised institutions take ‘The Arts’ seriously?

Experiences Students enjoyed: the induction activities. the communication between staff/students. The support from staff. The external projects and commissions. Recent film project ‘If Only…’ Edinburgh Film Festival 2009

Encounters Students enjoy: working on creative projects with peers. social events. workshop sessions. Issues: More trips More 1 to 1 sessions with tutors Separation from FE Students recently developing external projects

The North West Group of the Universities of Bolton, Central Lancashire, Chester, Manchester and Cumbria with Blackpool and Fylde, Bradford, Burnley, Stockport and West Cheshire colleges. Expectations Student comments were emotive … friendly, welcoming, included High expectations at pre-entry largely met… Staff, facilities, resources Allaying fears …Relaxed, informal, calming

Encounters Transformative Experience …life changing, positive Fun…excitement Staff… Helpful, encouraging Frustration…bored, stilted start, tedious

Experience (the continuum) Positive…confidence, encouragement, belonging Negative perceptions … no man’s land

Overall findings Student expectations were largely met through their experiences and encounters Importance of the flexible environment to meet diverse needs Further debate needed around expectations of student autonomy

Recommendations Learn from pre-entry approaches including the interview process Use students as part of interview and visits to feeder institutions Ensure communication with students is clear and available through a range of channels Develop induction approaches that ensure parity for all students and which consider diverse student needs Do not assume student independence is as high as anticipated Highlight the key role of student support

Reporting Mechanisms URL /adm-hea-projects/the-3Es-project- student-expectations-experiences-and- encounters-with-he Individual partnership reports Overall project report

Reflections on collaborative research Sharing good practice Serendipity, informality, formality Developing research capacity Motivational experience Reflection on research activity Developing relationships

Next steps Further network development Potential project topics developing from this for further discussion within the network