Dr Josette Bettany- Saltikov | Senior Lecturer in Research Methods Teesside University

The United Kingdom (UK) Council for Graduate Education, (UKCGE) (2002) state that, at doctoral level: Teaching has to become more a matter of guidance and mentoring than a didactic transfer process. The DHSC Programme, Teesside University addresses such recommendations by providing a challenging route of study for professionals working in dynamic health and social care environments. Background

 The presentation will illustrate how the Programme Team responded to the UKCGE (2002) demands  By developing a creative Teaching and Learning Strategy (TLS),  which supports the achievement of programme learning outcomes  by moving from supervisory towards autonomous working with the support of the SCC.

The SCC aims to provide: peer support to students in various stages of the programme through adopting the philosophy of shared learning founded on the principles of action learning. The Student Cohort Community

 The SCC offers a balance of emotional and intellectual challenge through comradeship and insightful questioning which enables each member to act and learn effectively on three levels (Bird 2002).  Firstly, to present the challenge to be tackled,  secondly to explore what is being learned about oneself and  thirdly the process of learning itself.  These principles of action learning complement the programme which is about presenting, exploring and responding to challenge and change.

 Action learning is a process which involves:  working on real challenges,  using the knowledge and skills of a small group of people combined  with skilled questioning,  to re-interpret old and familiar concepts  and produce fresh ideas.

Action learning gives students:  a simple yet powerful tool for personal professional and research development  the opportunity to work on real research problems and implement solutions to these problems – (management development which is learning by doing)  a powerful way for student leaders to learn from other student leaders

 An action learning set is a group of six to eight people who meet regularly with an action learning facilitator.  They contract to meet – usually for five times over 12 to 15 months.  Most learning sets are made up of peers who work at similar levels of responsibility.

 Emotional support and intellectual challenge,  Personal and professional growth,  creation of a mechanism for iterative exploration of alternative action in light of new insights and change.  Action learning has proven to be ideal; it focuses on bringing individuals together via the SCC where students ideas can be challenged in a supportive non-threatening environment

 I need some examples here

 The SCC encourages:  sharing of experience,  greater awareness of the values,  expertise of professional groups and highlights areas in which a multidisciplinary approach can contribute  to excellence in health and social care practice.