Reilly, Dawn ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2317-4700 and Leopold, Katherine ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4580-2432 (2019) Using collaboration to create pathways to success for all students. In: Bloomsbury Institute’s Teaching and Learning Conference, Bridging the Inclusivity Gap, 9 July 2019, London. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

This project relates to a core Year 2 professional practice module for accounting students. Being a post-1992 university with a number of students from low socio-economic groups, we know that many of the students in the class have part-time jobs and other outside commitments. As ‘commuter students’ they face significant challenges in terms of finding space to plan their careers after graduation, have limited time for self-study activities and can lack confidence. The class also includes students who joined the University on one of our extended four year programmes which we provide as part of our continuing focus on widening participation.

To make our employability provision more inclusive and accessible, an employability consultant was brought into the module team to plan and teach sessions. Topics covered included transferable skills such as how to be part of a team and how to give a good presentation. In this way we helped to build students’ confidence in their own employability and we created a pathway to our careers service. For the assessment on the module, students collaborated in groups and were able to support each other as they researched their topics and prepared their presentations and reports. Because not all of our students have their own computers, School laptops were made available in each session so that everyone was included on an equal basis.

This collaborative and inclusive approach has had a positive impact on grade attainment. Further, 92% of students agreed that the module has helped to enhance the skills and knowledge needed after graduation and a number of students had the confidence to apply for placement opportunities which the consultant promoted in the class.

We shall continue to use collaboration between our departments and among students to tackle gaps in employment and attainment outcomes.

Item Type:	Conference or Conference Paper (Paper)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Collaboration, commuter students, employability, extended programmes, widening participation
Subjects:	L Education > LB Theory and practice of education
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Business Faculty of Business > Department of Accounting & Finance
Last Modified:	10 Jun 2021 16:24
URI:	http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/24784

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