Exploring Disciplinary Teaching Excellence in Higher Education: Student-Staff Partnerships for Research

✍ Scribed by Marion Heron (editor), Laura Barnett (editor), Kieran Balloo (editor)

• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
• Year: 2021
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 215
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

This book explores disciplinary teaching excellence through a diverse range of student-staff partnership research projects. Despite being a highly contested term, ‘teaching excellence’ is something that universities aspire to and are expected to have. However, the editors and contributors argue that not only are definitions of excellence often broad and generic, but they lack nuanced understandings of disciplinary excellence in higher education. This book begins by unpacking some of these contested definitions of teaching excellence, followed by a series of co-authored chapters produced by students and staff who have undertaken research projects where they examine teaching excellence in their respective disciplinary areas. These chapters demonstrate that teaching excellence may be better understood as a process of becoming that is achieved through partnership between teachers and students. This book will be of interest and value to students, educators, and policy-makers concerned about teaching excellence, as well as scholars of student-staff partnerships.

✦ Table of Contents

Contents
Notes on Contributors
List of Figures
List of Tables
Chapter 1: Exploring ‘Excellence’ in Disciplinary Contexts Through Student-Staff Partnerships
Introduction
Defining Teaching Excellence
Disciplinary Definitions
Examining Teaching Excellence
Exploring Teaching Excellence Through Student-Staff Partnerships
Development of the Book
Outline of the Book
Conclusion
References
Chapter 2: What Teaching Excellence Means to Undergraduate Students on a STEM Programme
Introduction
Literature Review
The Concept of ‘Teaching Excellence’—A Broad Overview
An Overview of Teaching Excellence and Approaches to Teaching in STEM Subjects
Student-Staff Partnerships
Methodology
Approach
Data Collection Methods
Analysis of Survey Data
Findings and Discussion
What Is the Student Perspective on ‘Teaching Excellence’?
Does Teaching Excellence Impact on the Student Experience?
How Can Our Findings Be Taken Forward in a Programme Review?
Conclusions
Appendix 1: Survey Questions
Appendix 2: Research Guide
References
Chapter 3: Evaluating Teaching Excellence from a Disciplinary Perspective
Introduction
Literature Review
Definitions of Teaching Excellence
Student Perceptions of Teaching Excellence
Measuring Teaching Excellence
Module Evaluation Questionnaires
Current Practices of Measuring Teaching Quality Within Mechanical Engineering Sciences
Methodology
Study Design
Analysis
Results and Discussion
Students
MEQ Relevance
Challenges of MEQs: Timing
Challenges of MEQs: Student Behaviours
Challenges of MEQs: MEQ Questions
Dimensions of Excellence: Knowledge and Skills
Dimensions of Excellence: Student Interactions
Dimensions of Excellence: Lecturers’ Characteristics
Dimensions of Excellence: Perceptions of Excellent Scores
Staff
Dimensions of Excellence: Lecturers’ Characteristics
Challenges of MEQs: Administration/Timing
Challenges of MEQs: Student Behaviour
Dimensions of Excellence: Students’ Perceptions of Excellence
Conclusion
Appendix 1: Focus Group Sessions
Appendix 2: Research Guide
References
Chapter 4: Students as Co-creators of Visual Mnemonics Using LEGO®: An Evaluation of a Higher Education Revision Session Using an Adapted LEGO® Serious Play® (LSP) Methodology
Introduction
Background
Aims and Research Questions
Method
Participants
Tasks and Materials
Procedure
Results
Discussion
Impact and Future Directions
Appendix 1: Survey Instruments
Pre-test Survey (Completed at the Start of the Session)
Post-test Survey (Completed after the LSP Part of the Session)
Appendix 2: LSP Tasks
Appendix 3: Research Guide
References
Chapter 5: How Can Mandatory Elements of Moving and Handling Be Delivered to Enhance Student Engagement?
Introduction
Background
Methods
Participants and Sampling
Procedure
Data Analysis
Findings
Content Taught
Patient Handling Hours
Relevance to Practice
Difficulties in Practice Placement
Discussion
Conclusion
Appendix 1: Discussion Questions
Appendix 2: Research Guide
References
Chapter 6: Exploring ‘Teaching Excellence’ in Vocational Theatre Training: What Role Does It Play in Enabling Student Success?
Introduction
Background
Literature Review
Methodology
Participants
Methods
Analysis
Findings and Discussion
Defining ‘the Excellent Teacher’ in Technical Theatre
How the Excellent Teacher Impacts Student Progress and Employability
Professional Development Supporting Teacher Excellence
Measuring Teaching Excellence in Technical Theatre
Conclusion
Appendix 1: Student Interview Questions
Appendix 2: Teacher Questionnaire
Appendix 3: Research Guide
References
Chapter 7: An Exploration into Student and Staff Perceptions on the Use of Audio-Visual Content as a Measure of Teaching Excellence
Introduction
Background
Lecture Capture
Captured Content
The Teaching Excellence Framework
Methods
Participants and Materials
Student-Staff Collaborative Workshops
Findings and Discussion
Workshop Findings
Pre-Workshop Questionnaire Results
Understanding of Captured Content and TEF
Definition of Teaching Excellence
Post-Workshop Questionnaire Results and Comparison
Understanding of Captured Content and TEF
Definitions of Teaching Excellence
Conclusion
Appendix 1: Pre-Post Workshop Questionnaire
Appendix 2: Audio-Visual Content Guidelines
Appendix 3: Research Guide
References
Chapter 8: Perceptions of Teaching Excellence and Satisfaction Amongst Chinese-Educated Students at a UK University
Introduction
Literature Review
Methodology
Method
Procedures
Data Analysis
Ethical Approval
Findings and Discussion
Research Question 1: What Are the Differences Between Higher Education in the UK and China?
Language Barriers
Teaching Styles in the UK and China
Research Question 2: What Are the Characteristics of Teaching Excellence at the University of Surrey?
Lecturing Styles
Feedback
Educational Resources
Research Question 3: How Can Student Satisfaction Be Improved at the University of Surrey?
Language Barriers
Lecture Capture
Further Ways to Improve Student Satisfaction
Conclusions
Appendix 1: Focus Group Questions
Appendix 2: Research Guide
References
Chapter 9: International Student Collaborations to Achieve Teaching Excellence in Higher Education
Introduction
Literature Review
Methodology
Discussion
Architects vs Engineers
“Architects and Engineers Do Not Share a Common Language”
Communication in International Collaborations
“The Barrier of Communication Prevents the Exploitation of Knowledge”
Time Management Difficulties
“International Collaboration Is Time-Consuming, and It Is Difficult”
Socio-Economic Differences
“There Is a Socio-Economic Preconception in International Collaborations”
Health and Safety Considerations
“Safety Requirements for a Project Is Not the Same in Different Countries”
Professional Development of Lecturers
“When You Try to Educate Your Students, You Are Trying to Change Yourself at the Same Time”
Conclusions
Research Guide
References
Chapter 10: Co-Creating Teaching Excellence in Curriculum Design Through Leadership and Entrepreneurship
Introduction
Context of This Study: The LEAD Initiative
Co-Creation Within the LEAD Initiative
Student-Teacher Partnership
The Current Study
Student-Teacher Partnership and Engagement
Outcome of Engagement
Student Satisfaction
Methodology
Quantitative Study Subset
Participants
Procedure and Instruments
Statistical Analyses of the Quantitative Data
Qualitative Study Subset
Results
Success of the LEAD Programme
Qualitative Findings
Co-Creation and Engagement
Engagement, Skills, Experience and Practice-Based Learning
Conclusion
Appendix 1: LEAD Brochure
Appendix 2: Research Guide
References
Chapter 11: Towards a Pedagogically Healthy University: The Essential Foundation for Excellence in Student-Staff Partnerships
Introduction
Pedagogic Health
Recipience
Exaptation
Adaptive Expertise
A Rhizomatic Perspective on Excellence
Revisiting Excellence
Conclusion
References
Chapter 12: Creating ‘Excellent’ Partnerships: Reflections on Practice
Introduction
Student-Staff Partnerships
Reflections
Partnerships as a Way of Developing Shared Understandings of Disciplinary Excellence
Working Towards Disciplinary Excellence Through Learning and Partnership
Conclusion
References