Dear Jonathan, I think you meant this for the list (your email copied below).
 
One of the projects I support, BLUPS http://www.jisc.ac.uk/whatwedo/programmes/elearning_pedagogy/elp_blups.aspx recruited students to gather data about other students' patterns of technology use. And another project, Thema (http://www.jisc.ac.uk/whatwedo/programmes/elearning_pedagogy/elp_thema.aspx) has used a student researcher as one of the research team. She has been brilliant, both at eliciting other students' perspectives and at supporting the analysis. These are both projects in the 'Learners' Experiences of e-Learning' programme that I think I mentioned earlier (see https://mw.brookes.ac.uk/display/JISCle2/Home)
 
v best
Helen
----- Original Message -----
From: [log in to unmask] href="mailto:[log in to unmask]">Staal, Jonathan
To: [log in to unmask] href="mailto:[log in to unmask]">Helen Beetham
Sent: Wednesday, August 20, 2008 10:13 AM
Subject: RE: Student Involvement

Dear all
 
As we've been exploring methodologies for a (deliberately lightweight) look at students' attitudes to study, I was taken by an approach used a team working for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation on 'a child's-eye view of social difference'.
 
In the brief desciption of their methods, the team outlines a 'participatory methodology', with the young people inducted as co-researchers, engaged in design, delivery and dissemination of the study.  'The children [could] ... set the agenda and steer the research themselves.'
 
Not appropriate for every piece of work, but sounded an exciting potential 'next step' to what Catherine described.
 
yours
 
Jonathan
 

___________________________
Jonathan Staal
Student Academic Support Co-ordinator
University of Abertay Dundee
Dundee
DD1 1HG

t: 01382 308962
f: 01382 308343
e: [log in to unmask]

Working hours:
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The University of Abertay Dundee is a charity registered in Scotland, No: SC016040

From: learning development in higher education network [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Helen Beetham
Sent: 20, August, 2008 00:25
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Student Involvement

Dear Tracey and all,
 
There's a pathfinder network called evaluating learners' experiences of e-learning (ELESIG) which can be found at the ning site http://elesig.ning.com/. It's had a lot of discussion about getting and keeping students involved in research, and other issues in researching learners' experiences which aren't specific to e-learning. I think you can just join yourself but if anyone wants me to 'invite' them, just email with the request. Better use of technology than me copying all the ideas to post on this list!
 
There are a lot of international researchers and PhD students involved in this network which means some innovative research ideas come up. I also find 'ning' fairly intuitive to use, and I'm not a big user of social networks, so I hope that aspect doesn't put anyone off.
 
bw
Helen
 
----- Original Message -----
From: [log in to unmask] href="mailto:[log in to unmask]">Catherine McConnell
To: [log in to unmask] href="mailto:[log in to unmask]">[log in to unmask]
Sent: Tuesday, August 19, 2008 2:37 PM
Subject: Re: Student Involvement

Dear Tracey

 

We’re about to begin a similar project here at Brighton, with a focus on gaining insights into the first year experience and transitions.  I have managed to persuade a couple of schools to allow me train their student ambassadors to facilitate focus groups as part of their peer assisted learning activities, with a view to the ambassadors being co-researchers - we’re interested in the quality of data peers are able to obtain.

 

In addition and as Kim suggested, we’ve partnered up with the Student Union on aspects of the project, as they are able to tap into student groups that are usually hard to reach.  As for incentives, we’ve got some equipment giveaways such as webcams, mp3 recorders etc. 

 

Good luck with the project

 

Best wishes

Catherine

 

Catherine McConnell

Lecturer in Learning Development

Centre for Learning and Teaching

University of Brighton

 

Address:

Centre for Learning and Teaching

Room 113, Mayfield House

Falmer Campus, BN1 9PH

 

Tel: 01273 641920

Email: [log in to unmask]

 

 

 

 

 

From: learning development in higher education network [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Tracey Armstrong
Sent: 19 August 2008 13:37
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Student Involvement

 

 

Dear Colleagues,

I am the Project Officer on a 12 month project being run out of SPLASH (which is the academic skills centre at the University of Surrey) entitled 'Enhancing and Supporting the First Year Student Experience at the University of Surrey'. This project will produce recommendations for the services we are able to provide to first year students in SPLASH 09/10.

I am hoping to establish contact with as many first year students as possible, and as soon as possible, at the beginning of the Autumn semester. Can anyone give me advise on how best to 'encourage'  the first year students to take part in research (which in this case will focus on first year student expectations and experiences)? Has anybody had experience of  trying to engage students in taking part in research so early after arriving at university? At the moment my ideas include offering a cash prize in a draw in return for contact details, an advert in the student newspaper and possibly putting something on Face book.

I would be really grateful for input from anyone who has been in a similar situation and has found something that works well.

Tracey

Mrs T Armstrong
Project Officer
Supporting and Enhancing the First Year Experience at the University of Surrey
Student Personal Learning And Study Hub (SPLASH)
George Edwards Building
University of Surrey
Guildford
Surrey
Tel: 01483 683370