> New HE publication: > '> Learning Experiences of Disabled Students> '>
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> The experience of learning at university by disabled students in geography, earth and environmental sciences and related disciplines: a report on the Geography Discipline Network (GDN) Inclusive Curriculum Project (ICP) Student Survey. Cheltenham: University of Gloucestershire, Geography Discipline Network (Hall, T and Healey M with other members of the GDN ICP Project Team) 32pp (ISBN: 1 86174 146 4) Available at: www.glos.ac.uk/gdn/icp/survey.htm Hard copy: £3.50 plus p&p
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> This report analyses the findings from the first ever survey of disabled students in geography, earth and environmental sciences and related disciplines. It focuses on the experiences of 80 disabled students from six different universities of teaching, learning and assessment. By giving this group a voice this report aims to contribute to their empowerment. The report is one of the first outputs from the Inclusive Curriculum Project funded by the HEFCE Improving Provision for Disabled Students Programme.
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> Perhaps the most surprising finding is that, with the exception of lectures, over half the disabled students, and often as many as three-quarters of them, have not experienced disability-related barriers with different forms of teaching and learning. Even during fieldtrips, where it might be expected that the barriers to learning would be highest, only one in five disabled students reported they had experienced difficulties. However, the proportion doubled to slightly over two in every five disabled students in independent fieldwork (e.g. researching for an assignment or dissertation). Assessment generally caused the respondents greater problems, with between 37% and 63% reporting difficulties with various forms.
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> These findings suggest that using a general category entitled > '> disabled students> '> is problematic and devising general policies to support their teaching, learning and assessment may not always meet the specific needs of individuals. Arguably, in the long run the main beneficiaries of disability legislation and the need to make suitable adjustments in advance are the non-disabled students, because many of the adjustments, such as well prepared handouts, instructions given in writing as well as verbally, notes put on-line, and variety and flexibility in forms of assessment, are simply good teaching and learning practices which will benefit all students.
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> Reviews of previous GDN Publications
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> GDN guides on > '> Good Teaching, Learning and Assessment Practices in Geography> '>
> "> This is the most comprehensive series about the teaching of a discipline I have ever encountered and provides a model for how academics can share both theory and practice about the teaching of their subject. I have drawn on geography examples in these materials in my work just as the geographers have drawn on generic writing in their work. It is particularly valuable to see how generic ideas are adapted and applied in specific contexts and how this adaptation enriches and fills out the generic ideas. The publications are clearly and attractively presented. I defy anyone not to find something new and useful. I'd like to see other disciplines attempt a series of publications like this."
> Professor Graham Gibbs, Centre for Higher Education Practice, Open University, UK (1999)
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> GDN guides on: > '> Providing Learning Support for Disabled Students undertaking Fieldwork and Related Activities> '>
> "> An extremely important project:
> It was one of the first disability-funded projects that exclusively addressed issues concerned with teaching, learning and assessment.
> It was led by academic staff in partnership with disability practitioners - this kind of partnership has signalled a real shift in thinking regarding disability issues.> ">
> Mike Adams, Director of National Disability Team, UK (2002)>
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> Available at: http://www.glos.ac.uk/gdn/disabil/index.htm
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> Professor Mick Healey BA PhD FRGS ILTM NTF
> Director Geography Discipline Network
> Senior Advisor LTSN Subject Centre for Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences
> National Teaching Fellow
>
> School of Environment
> University of Gloucestershire
> Francis Close Hall
> Swindon Road
> Cheltenham GL50 4AZ
> UK
>
> Tel: +44 (0)1242 543364
> Fax: +44 (0)1242 543283
> Mobile: +44 (0)7952 095129
>
> Email: [log in to unmask]
> URL: http://www.glos.ac.uk/gdn/
> http://www.glos.ac.uk/environment/
>
> If you have my email in your address book and/or URLs bookmarked, and you have not already updated them, please ensure they have 'glos' in them rather than 'chelt'.
>
> Please note change of 'unit' from GEMRU to School of Environment
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