Hello everyone,

From John Stephenson

With apologies for cross postings.

HEC 1 day CONFERENCE ON 
USING LEARNING CONTRACTS IN HE
MARCH 6TH LONDON

David Boud of University of Technology, Sydney is key-note speaker at the
above event.

For application form or for offer of a paper, send
email to [log in to unmask]
fax to 0181 362 6914
tel to 0181 362 6911/6914

Rest of this notice gives background to event and programme for the day.
c 550 words..

John

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Context..

DEARING AND LEARNING CONTRACTS
The Dearing Report gives high priority  to developing and implementing
learning and teaching strategies which a)  focus on the promotion of
students learning and b) help students  become familiar with work and
reflect upon their personal development.

Learning contracts have proved themselves capable of encouraging deep
learning, particularly experiential learning in the workplace where they
provide
·       a means of empowerment of the individual learner,
·       a focus upon achievable learning outcomes within learning
opportunities,
·       reflection upon personal development needs and achievements, and 
·       a method for harnessing the potential of the workplace as a
learning environment.  

A further Dearing theme is maximum participation of HE in lifelong
learning. Learning Contracts can be used to recognise and give a structure
for the regular updating of skills, and to support and give credit to those
who would otherwise not engage in Higher Education, including those in paid
work, those not in work, those involved in voluntary work, disadvantaged
groups and ethnic minorities. 

WHAT ARE LEARNING CONTRACTS?
Learning contracts are statements of learning objectives and the criteria
which define successful learning achievements. Typically, they set out a)
the activities which will be undertaken to achieve the learning outcomes,
b) any resource implications c) how learning achievements will be
demonstrated for academic credit.  The "contract" is signed by the learner,
those who will assess the outcomes, and those who will support the learning
process - including employers in the case of work-based learning.  

WHERE ARE THEY USED?
Learning contracts are currently being used 
·       to encourage effective independent study, 
·       at the outset of programmes of study and recognition of learning
objectives,  
·       to integrate the achievement of learning goals across a range of
modules and contexts,
·       as a basis of partnerships between college and the community,
·       to provide valuable developmental tool,
·       for employees at the workplace, linking individual learning from
work experience with training programmes provided by employers, 
·       for Continuing Professional Development, and
·       to capture learning opportunities in voluntary work, in clubs and
societies,  self-help groups, hobbies and pastimes.......

UNIVERSITY FOR INDUSTRY
The Learning Contract can be a valuable tool in the promotion of a
University for Industry.  It links the academic standards and expectations
of higher education with needs and aspirations of employers and employees. 
It helps to establish the realities of what can be achieved at the
workplace and what cannot and of ensuring that the mutual advantages of
close co-operation between industry and academia are recognised and
effectively pursued.

THIS CONFERENCE AIMS TO:

· share experiences of the range of applications of learning contracts,
 
· identify key issues for further discussion and research,

· identify the requirements for effective use of Learning Contracts and the
costs and benefits, and

· enable participants to implement Learning Contracts in their own
institution and organisation.
 
WHO SHOULD ATEND?
· Academics and senior academic managers

· Curriculum developers

· Employers
 
· Representatives from Voluntary Organisations
 
· Representatives from Professional Bodies


PROGRAMME FOR THE DAY

10.00   Coffee and Registration
10.30   Welcome and Opening Remarks: John Stephenson in the Chair
10.40   David Boud, University of Technology, Sydney: Learning contracts:
some principles and practice
11.10   Mike Laycock, University of East London: Using learning contracts
in higher education
11.40   Clive Robertson, Oxford Brookes University: Learning contracts and
the University for Industry
12.10   Discussion of issues raised
13.00   Lunch
14.00   Exchanging experience: parallel sessions of presentations by
participants
15.45   Plenary review - panel responses to issues raised.  Ways forward?
16.30   Tea and close   


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