Apologies for cross posting
CALIM/NoWAL are pleased to announce the following event, which will take place
between 10.00-11.00 on the 28th January in the Clifford Whitworth Library at Salford
University. See http://www.calim.ac.uk/traindev/course/coursedetails.asp?Code=71
for further details. As usual delegates are welcome from all sectors and institutions
within the library and information community.
New directions in teaching and learning – cost £15.00
Tutors Dr. Bill Hutchings, Karen O`Rourke
Problem-Based Learning (PBL) is already well established in Manchester University’s
Medical and Dental Schools and in Biomolecular Sciences at UMIST. As a student-
centred approach to learning, which uses student groups as the key vehicle to
achieve, collaborative learning PBL delivers a variety of valuable experiences.
A process that prioritises co-operative learning and group-management of tasks as a
key vehicle of delivery, PBL seems ideally suited to a discipline such as Literary
Studies that works so much through discussion and debate, with a relative lack of
clear target responses to questions. It might even be argued that the current
dominance of tutor-directed models within Literary Studies actually runs counter to the
real nature of the subject. A literary text seldom, if ever, has a single issue or problem
as its concern, even when a critic or even the author claims that it does. There will
always be a diversity of potential response generated among diverse readers. It is
arguably in the apprehension of this diversity that the true creativity of the subject lies.
A PBL method, in which it is the group itself that defines the learning objectives, tasks
and methods of inquiry, seems particularly appropriate. Arts disciplines generally, and
Literary Studies in particular, would seem therefore to offer fruitful ground for an
investigation of the applicability of PBL models.
This paper will include a discussion on Dr Hutchings`s recent National Teaching
Fellowship Award, and how it facilitated a two-year project that aims to implement a
PBL programme in the Department of English and American Studies at the University
of Manchester.
The main aims and objectives of the project will be presented as follows:
· Piloting of PBL systems in selected course modules from September 2001
· The move towards implementation of a PBL programme in further selected modules
· Assessment and evaluation of the outcomes of PBL systems in comparison with
conventional teaching patterns
· Development of materials for the delivery of PBL systems in a variety of literary
studies modules
· Examination of the student experience of PBL
· Resource implications (library usage, rooms etc)
The PBL project has aroused much interest within our own Faculty and in institutions
outside Manchester. This presentation hopes to stimulate dialogue between ourselves
and other colleagues involved in the management, implementation and evaluation of
change in learning and teaching in Higher Education.
Booking for all courses is to be done via the web. See
http://www.calim.ac.uk/traindev/course/useful.htm
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me.
Thank you
Gil
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Gil Young
CALIM/NoWAL Support Officer
Minshull House
Chorlton Street
Manchester
M1 3EU
Phone: 0161 247 6021
Fax: 0161 247 6846
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