uws conference june 2013

Charles Neame

GLASGOW SCHOOL OF ART

University of the West of ScotlandLearning & Teaching Conference: 20th June 2013c.neame@gsa.ac.uk

An Anatomy of Employability: Articulating Graduate Capabilities for the Creative ArtsGSA in collaboration withBUCKINGHAMSHIRE NEW UNIVERSITY

HEA Funded Teaching

Development Grant

Bucks: Fine Art, Design •Furniture Design•Textiles•Silversmithing•Jewellery & Ceramics Media •Advertising And Graphics

Jim LambieZobop Stairs 2003

GSA School of Fine Art: Painting, printmaking, sculpture, environmental art & photography

http://boliver.ning.com

Kolb’s Learning Cycle:Experiential learning

Concrete Experience(CE)

ReflectiveObservation (RO)

Abstract Conceptualisation (AC)

Active Experimentation

(AE)

6Kolb, D.A. 1984. Experiential learning: experience as the source of learning and development. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall

Project aims - 1To articulate and develop:discipline specific modes of delivery for employability in Fine Art, Design & Media using the Oliver model: “Assurance of Learning for Graduate Employability”(http://boliver.ning.com)

Project aims - 2To •ascertain the skills required for early professional success, and; •ensure that students understand what is expected of them beyond graduation and how to achieve it

Project aims - 3To recognize and articulate:•the existing strong skills base amongst the student body and •the wealth of employability activity that takes place outwith the curriculum.

Project aims - 4• To co-design

employability content with student researchers and

• for students to be critically engaged with their professional development.

Project aims - 5To •better understand the contribution to employability of a range of practices and •highlight where these may be further developed in the curriculum.

Project aims - 6To •evaluate and disseminate our findings and •engage a wider audience in their development;

Project aims - 7To broaden the understanding of employability skills and how we discuss them in and across the disciplines…

An Anatomy of Employability.

Project aims1. To articulate and develop discipline specific modes of delivery

for employability in Fine Art, Design and Media using the Oliver model, Assurance of Learning for Graduate Employability;

2. To ascertain the skills required for early professional success, to ensure that students understand what is expected of them beyond graduation and how to achieve it;

3. To recognize and articulate the existing strong skills base amongst the student body and the wealth of employability activity that takes place outwith the curriculum.

4. To co-design employability content with student researchers and for students to be critically engaged with their professional development.

5. To better understand the contribution to employability of a range of practices and to highlight where these may be further developed in the curriculum.

6. To evaluate and disseminate our findings and engage a wider audience in their development;

7. To broaden the understanding of employability skills and how we discuss them in and across the disciplines (Anatomy of Employability).

Progress to date• Initial mapping:

– staff and student perceptions of ‘employability’– Existing employability related curriculum

• Analysis underway• Complexity of employability issues starting to

emerge– Different career routes within disciplines– Different priorities between disciplines

• Importance of communication, interpersonal and learning skills…

Emerging outcomes

Mapping opportunitiesHearing the student voice

Recommendations

1. Highlight employability activities – within timetables– during the activities themselves

2. Ensure alignment between course documents, and the real curriculum

3. Promote a holistic understanding of the curriculum: explore links between curricular and co-curricular activities

Recommendations

4. Identify and fill gaps in provision of formal professional practice activities

5. Coordinate processes for external live project/vacancy opportunities

6. Explore ways to increase cross-school activity7. Identify and advertise examples of good

practice within individual courses

Dissemination

As ‘show and tell’:• Internally: interest and engagement from

other disciplines, e.g. Architecture• Events, e.g. GSA all-staff event on student

engagement• Events such as this: feedback welcome!!

Dissemination

As engagement/continuous development• Between Bucks and GSA, and thus to others?• Through the project process: working with

staff and students

Transferability?

• Where are the opportunities for you?1. What ‘mapping’ exercises would be fruitful in

your departments?2. How could you effectively engage students in

reaching a consensus on employability priorities?

3. Where are the gaps in your curriculum?