Hello all,
I think the original request was more to do with quantifying and
factoring in "contact time" within stated guided learning hours of a
module, rather than defining it in terms of staff workload.
I can't say I can quite remember what Sandra is alluding to regarding my
take on this, but perhaps that's just forgetfulness on my part (unless
it was actually a brilliant idea, in which case yes I take full credit!)
In general, I would go along with John's idea that contact time is when
staff are formally scheduled (and unequivocally available) to interact
with students for a stated purpose (which could be to give a lecture on
X, or to provide individual tutorial support, etc). A virtual
(VLE/email/discussion board monitoring/forum/videoconference etc)
session would be contact if it is scheduled and advertised as such. For
the rest of our working week (variously known as prep'n'admin, research
time, or simply "non-contact") we are not forbidden from talking to
students, and indeed it would be churlish not to if there were no good
reason, although at the same time students cannot expect us to be
available on a walk-in basis and we might consider it appropriate to
refer them to a later "contact" time.
I suppose contact time refers to the guaranteed minimum of student
interaction that can be (contractually) required of staff, and the rest
of the (contractual) working week is there to be worked. Fortunately we
still have a fair bit of professional freedom how to structure that
non-contact work.
David
David Bowers,
Head of Learning Development,
University Campus Suffolk,
Neptune Quay,
Ipswich,
IP4 1QJ,
United Kingdom.
Tel: (+44)/(0)1473 338707
-----Original Message-----
From: learning development in higher education network
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Sandra Sinfield
Sent: 03 July 2010 10:58
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: what is 'contact time'?
A really good question John especially for Learning Developers. How much
of our time with students is considered valuable contact time? And in
which institutions do we manage to get that paid at the top rate when
using visiting lecturers?
I think David Bowers from Suffolk wanted to institute some form of
'office hours' or open contact time for LDers - so that some of our more
contingent encounters with students (which often are extraordinarily
effective) can also be counted as contact time...
And, yes, in institutions embracing a blended learning approach - how is
virtual contact time valued? And will there be a pressure for all staff
to offer virtual time essentially 'free' because on top of all the
class/workshop contact time they already offer - rather than have it
officially noted as valid time?
Best,
Sandra
> Dear all
>
> See below the interesting discussion beginning on the HEDG list
>
> What do we mean by contact hours? ...I guess we all think we know what
> we mean by it - but I've never seen a definition ... and when you
> start to unpick it there are many knotty issues ... the potential of
> new technologies for virtual contact , and the restrictions on contact
> of large class sizes are both important factors ... I'd say something
> about it being time during which where there is genuine opportunity
> for direct interaction with the relevant teaching staff ... what do
others think ..
> do you know of any definitions?
>
> Best wishes for now
>
> John
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: Heads of Educational Development Services
> [[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Ian Scott
> [[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: 01 July 2010 13:54
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Contact hours
> This is an interesting question as 'number of contact hours' seems
> likely to be one of the aspects of the information that Universities
> are going to be asked to make public.
> At present all we have is a statement of what 'contact' can include
> and it is hidden with Union/University agreements rather than made
> explicit to students.
> In terms of numbers of hours required for effective learning I this
> will depend on the nature of the subject and the quality of that
> contact and of course, what constitutes contact in on-line learning
> could be debated for rather a long time.
> Regards
> Ian
>
>
> Dr. Ian Scott
> Head of Academic Practice and Development Unit University of Worcester
> Henwick Grove Worcester
> WR2 6AJ
> Tel 01905 542191
> Email [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
> http://www.worcester.ac.uk/adpu/
>
> Co-author of
>
> Ely C. & Scott I. (2007) Essential Study Skills for
>
Nursing<http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/bookdescription.cws_home/710246
/description#description>.
> Mosby Elsevier, Edinburgh.
> and
> Scott I. & Mazhindu D. (2005) Statistics for health care
>
professionals<http://www.uk.sagepub.com/booksProdDesc.nav?prodId=Book224
874&>:
> An introduction SAGE, London.
> From: Heads of Educational Development Services
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Ann Aitken
> Sent: 01 July 2010 13:48
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Contact hours
>
>
> Colleagues
>
> I would be grateful to know if any of your institutions have a cross
> University definition for contact hours; and on average, what
> proportion of the 200 learning hours per module is considered an
> acceptable norm for the number of contact hours per module to achieve
> an effective student learning experience.
>
> Please reply to me at
> [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>. If you are
> interested I will share the responses.
>
> Many thanks and enjoy the summer !
>
> Pam Houghton
>
>
> Pamela Houghton
> Head
> Learning Development Unit
> University of Central Lancashire
> Preston PR1 2HE
> Telephone: 01772 89 2751
> Location: Fylde 117
>
> "Successful universities in a changing world: HR drives the future"
> "Analysing and Enhancing Internal Communications"
> "Changing Times, Changing Markets, Changing Priorities"
> See http://www.2010acuconference.info/ for information about these
> important HRM and PR Network conferences in Melbourne, 22 - 26
> November 2010.
> ___________________________________________
>
> The content is confidential to the intended recipient and may be
> legally privileged. If you are not an intended recipient, please
> delete this email from your system and notify the sender. You can
> contact the ACU by telephone on + 44 (0) 20 7380 6700 or by facsimile
+ 44 (0) 20 7387 2655.
> The Association of Commonwealth Universities is a UK registered
> charity (registered charity number 314137) whose Patron is Her Majesty
> the Q
>
>
>
> John Hilsdon
> Head of Learning Development
> Room 103, 21 Portland Villas
> University of Plymouth
> Drake Circus
> Plymouth
> PL4 8AA
> 01752 587750
>
> [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
> www.learningdevelopment.plymouth.ac.uk<http://www.plymouth.ac.uk/learn
> >
>
>
>
Companies Act 2006 : http://www.londonmet.ac.uk/companyinfo
|