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Student Support ReviewImplementation & Pilot Phase (Phase 3)

Rachel Burn, Student Support Review Programme ManagerStrategy Unit May 2009

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This presentation

• Purpose of the Student Support Review• Phase 3 of the Review• 28 recommendations and Senate• Student Support Team pilots• Timescales

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Purpose of SSRTo determine the future nature and organisation of learning support in order to:

• enhance the student experience; • be flexible in responding to changes in student needs

and the University’s environment; • provide a cost-effective model.• to define the roles and competencies required to deliver

appropriate, flexible and diverse learning support in future;

• to recommend a transition plan from existing to new learning support roles and structures.

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Purpose of Phase 3• Phases 1 and 2 = 2005 - 2007 • 28 recommendations approved by Senate April 2008• The majority approved for immediate implementation• Recommendations 14-17 only approved for piloting• Purpose of this phase to:

– Pilot the 9 teams– Ensure all other recommendations implemented by

co-ordinating across OU i.e. work with Award-based services project

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Recommendations

• 1-4 = Student Profiles and profiling• 5-8 = More resource at Level 1 and developing

autonomous learners at Levels 2 & 3 • 9-13 = Award-based services project• 14-17 = Piloting student support teams• 18 = Senate will decide the long-term future of Teams• 19 = Faculty based staff engage in contact with students• 20 = AL Role Review• 21 – 26 = Online communities• 27 – 28 = Reporting to Senate

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Pilot Teams – purpose:The piloting of Student Support Teams aims to test whether:

• students are more likely to complete their courses and progress in their studies

• the student experience of study with the Open University will be enhanced and lead to greater student satisfaction

• the cost of such support is sustainable

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The nine pilots1. Arts – Supporting Progression from Entry to Award in Arts and

Humanities2. FELS – Foundation Degree in Sport, Fitness and Health based in

London and Wales3. HSC – Pathway study support for HSC students based in Scotland4. MCT – Engineering Undergraduate Pathways and Progression

Support Team provisionally based in Milton Keynes5. OUBS – Global online Certificate in Management based in Oxford6. Science – Team based proactive contact with Level 1 Science

students based in Birmingham and Scotland7. Science - Support and Assessment changes for Level 2 and 3

physical science students based in Manchester8. Social Science - Level 1 Guidance, Pathway Support &

Progression9. Postgraduate Social Sciences based in Yorkshire

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Timescales

• 3 Stage-Gate process – end January, end-March and end-June 2009

• All start Oct/Nov 09 except OUBS• OUBS May 09 as pilot of a pilot!• All pilots must be operationally feasible to pass through

stage gates• Students to be informed from July (except OUBS)

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Staggered development to TeamsYear 1 – 2009:• Teams are made operational - basic changes such as

markers on VOICE and CIRCE, standard tracking and support

Year 2 – Nov 2009 onwards:• More sophisticated systems changes, tracking and

profiling• Changes to assessment?

Year 3 – who knows?

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So why is this different from what we do now?• Structured induction• Student support based around a student’s

subject/qualification - targeted careers, induction, PDP, forums

• Subject communities• Proactive tracking and contact • Changes to assessment and tutorial delivery• Not reliant on one person being in office

– One-stop shop/broker concept• No ‘black hole’ between courses

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Evaluation• Prof Murray Saunders, Lancaster University• Anne Jelfs, IET• Karen Doncaster, Finance• Each pilot Team

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Big issues we are struggling with…

……..there are hundreds but…….• Students who are studying more than one course• Contractual arrangements for pathway tutors• Developing learner autonomy at Levels 2 & 3• Cross-Faculty programmes• Where we can save money• Student communications• Open Programme

Some of these are hub issues too

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My favourite sayings……(May 09)

• I don’t know yet

• We haven’t worked that one out yet

• Good point, I hadn’t thought of that

• I’ll add that to the list

• That’s on my list of things to think about

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Any questions?• How will this affect you?• Specific questions about recommendations?• More detail?

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Student headcount, 1970/71 – 2005/06

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Student progression, 1970/71 – 2005/06