Flipped Classroom: An Approach to Teaching and Learning

‘Flipped Classroom‘ is a term that refers to the restructuring of teaching in order to maximise the benefit of contact time between students and tutors. In a ‘flipped classroom’ the’ homework’ and ‘lecture’ elements of a traditional teaching approach are reversed, with the students engaging with the required information as pre-work so that the contact time can focus on…

Case Study: Encouraging ‘Rehearsal for Life’ through cross-disciplinary role-play

This case study outlines a cross-disciplinary collaboration to support authentic learning for Law students by using Performance students to play the role of the client in a practice simulation. Simulated practice is a major element of the Law degree at Sheffield Hallam University, but is typically only practical in the final stages of the programme. It was felt that…

Case Study: Enhancing Employability Skills through Electronic Portfolios

This case study outlines the way in which a tutor has used PebblePad and Blackboard to support students in developing their employability skills and reflective capability. When applying for graduate employment, nursing students are required to write personal statements outlining the skills and experience that makes them suitable for the position. The quality of these statements…

Self-directed Learning: An Approach to Teaching and Learning

Self-directed Learning (SDL) is an approach where students select and investigate topics of their own choosing, often using methods, information sources and/or tools that they have also selected for themselves. The intention behind the approach is that students will be more engaged and motivated when they are able to focus on those topics where they have a personal…

Resource-centred Discussion: An Approach to Teaching and Learning

Resource-centred Discussion (RCD) refers to a discussion in which the topic is an artefact or set of artefacts. The artefacts will vary between disciplines, but could include works of art, poems, case studies, business reports, manufactured goods, photographs, etc. The purpose of the approach is to use objects and artefacts to stimulate the students’ thinking and…

Debate: An Approach to Teaching and Learning

Debate refers to a discussion in which two or more people advocate opposing positions on a topic or question in an attempt to make an audience (or the other advocates) accept their position. Most people are familiar with participating in informal debates, such as trying to persuade friends why a particular film, song, book, artist, etc. is better than another; however, as…