Group items tagged

Quick commentary piece on working-class students being disadvantaged at universities that made me think of the Transitions project. Also of interest to the Graduate Attributes project: Goldsmiths' mission statement. It offers "a transformative experience, generating knowledge and stimulating self-discovery through creative, radical and intellectually rigorous thinking and practice."

Immediately made me think about someone in a College department, which will remain nameless, who proudly proclaims that they fail a large number of students...like it's some kind of badge of honour! This article would appear to hit the nail on the head but unfortunately it's a problem that's doesn't have a "simple" solution like lowering entrance standards or handing out more Oxbridge scholarships.

Inspired to bookmark this from the grad attributes consultation in which one group had two members who were engaging in 'destructive group behaviours' (brought onto the straight and narrow eventually by a skilled facilitator) ... I have heard it suggested that if groups are being derailed by dominating or digressing types, it can be useful for the whole group to sit down and consider what kind of group member they are in order to limit their unhelpful behaviours and get the group working well again.

I missed out on the session today so I'm not sure of the context of this, I can imagine though! As an aside...this is a very interesting web site all round...I've just been watching a presentation on "How people learn" and it's interesting from the point of view of the subject matter and from the perspective of how the material has been made available. I know Giles is working hard trying to put together videos of some of our own academics talking about teaching and I look forward to seeing them!