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Local school children help BGU students to widen their professional skills
On Monday 5th and Monday 12th November Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) invited 80 children from local schools to take part in educational research with second year students on the BA (Hons) Primary Education with QTS course. The sessions were designed to provide the students, who are studying to become primary teachers, with an opportunity to experience the skills required to become educational researchers. Working in groups, under the supervision of a tutor, the students designed and conducted research on topics focused on the school pupils including: Reading choices Philosophy for children Using apps to support enquiry Mathematics through story Mapping stories Reading for pleasure and digital reading Dr Ashley Compton, Senior Lecturer in the School of Teacher Development at BGU, explained the benefits students could expect from gaining skills in educational research: “In order to understand and evaluate the latest innovations in education it is important that teachers are able to engage with research. In their second year we get the students to work together in groups, under the supervision of a tutor, to design and conduct research with children. "This experience allows students to develop a better understanding of how research does (and doesn't!) work and prepares them for their individual research projects in their final year. "The children, covering Year 1 through Year 6, were fantastic, participating fully in each of the research topics and giving our students valuable insights into the research process.” The Primary Education courses at BGU regularly interacts with schools around the local community to provide our students with a varied and engaging educational experience. If you want to pursue a future in teaching visit our website or contact our Enquiries Team for more information on how to begin your career on our exciting Primary Education with QTS degree course. -
Supporting Healthcare and Promoting Volunteering Across Lincolnshire
Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) and Neighbourhood Working in Lincoln are working together to join up health, care and our community to help ensure we are all “fit for the future”. This collaboration is aimed at shaping the vision for working across Lincoln involving organisations and communities drawn from across the city and neighbouring villages. Clare Hemming, Lecturer and Placement Officer at BGU, has worked with the Neighbourhood Leads Victoria Sleight and Beckie McConville to organise this event to create opportunities for groups and individuals to connect and discover how we can promote care in our community. This aims to support people to remain in their own home and out of hospital by providing joined up care as early as possible. In addition the event is designed to get students involved in community volunteering by providing opportunities for unique placements allowing them to experience a variety of different career elements from research and administrative responsibilities to hands on roles. It is a fantastic chance for potential volunteers to find unique, placement opportunities to help them shape their future career choices. The event takes place on Thursday 29 November at BGU TR1 Hardy Building, from 10:00am until 2:00pm. Everyone will be provided with an opportunity to network with like-minded people and organisations and develop relationships within our communities, to create a shared vision for the future. Clare Hemming discussed her excitement at being part of an event capable of creating such a widespread positive impact: “It is fantastic to be able to support and work with so many vital community services for such an important event. Our work building relationships has opened new doors within professional organisations and is now allowing us to create unique career opportunities for our students” The networking event is open to all stakeholders. To secure your space please book here. Most of the degree courses at BGU offer unique career focused work placements while you study; to find out how you can begin your dream career, visit our website or contact our Enquiries Team. -
Lecturer’s research published by British Congress of Mathematics Education
Research carried out by Dr Ashley Compton, lecturer on the BA Primary Education with QTS and Primary PGCE courses at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU), along with her former colleague Adam Unwin-Berry has been published by the British Congress of Mathematics Education. Dr Compton’s research examined Year 3 children's perceptions of mathematics based on their drawings of themselves in a mathematics lesson. The research was undertaken in 10 Lincolnshire schools in the BGU partnership and demonstrated that the majority of these pupils were confident about mathematics, although there were some gender differences in their perceptions of mathematics itself and teacher-pupil interactions in mathematics. For Dr Compton the gender differences, along with the innovative methods involved, made the project a fascinating research opportunity: “I was eager to take part because I think that children's attitudes towards mathematics and mathematics lessons are important factors in their learning and are not often explored in the classroom. Getting them to draw the pictures was an indirect way of finding out what they thought about mathematics. It was really pleasing that so many of the children drew confident learners. Some of the gender differences surprised me. We often hear about boys outperforming girls in maths but we found differences in the way the girls and boys perceived the teacher and perceived maths itself. An important reason for tutors conducting research is for it to inform our teaching. I've shared my findings with the BA Primary Education (BAPE) students but will explore them in more detail with the Year 3 BAPE maths specialists to help them think about how they teach lessons and how the children perceive this.” Prior to its publication Dr Compton’s research was presented at the British Congress of Mathematics Education conference. A collection of 25 research based papers were presented at the conference and all are available to explore here (www.bsrlm.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/BCME9-Research-Proceedings.pdf). Our academics are regularly invited to present their at conferences around the world, you can follow all their travels on our news page and find out how you can start your own adventures on our course pages or by booking onto one of our Open Days. -
BGU Students Help Local School Pupils to Prepare for Higher Education
Education Studies students at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) have been working alongside PhD students from the University of Lincoln to help prepare local school pupils for Higher Education and build their research skills. The ‘Research Higher’ Project, coordinated by the cross-county LiNCHigher programme, is designed to develop research skills in Year 12 pupils and provide them with additional experience that will benefit them if they choose to go onto Higher Education. Over the course of the workshops held throughout the school term the pupils have been carrying out research into perspectives on Higher Education with BGU students supporting their learning as research mentors. Dr Helen Hendry, Programme Leader for Education Studies at BGU, discussed why the Education team were keen to be part of the project: “It has been really exciting to work on this first time project that has provided both our students and local school pupils with some fantastic opportunities. "The year 12 pupils, who were an absolutely fantastic and engaging group, gain a research qualification for completing the project along with a window into what life at university could be like. Our students meanwhile have been able to gain unique hands on experience and build up transferable skills as educational mentors that they will be able to use to support learners of all ages” If your child is interested in getting involved in the Research Higher project, email LHERI@lincoln.ac.uk or call 01522 88 2000. More information can also be found on the Lincoln Higher Education Research Institute website. The Education courses at BGU boast fantastic connections with a wide range of educational establishments across Lincolnshire meaning they’re able to offer amazing opportunities for hands on experience and placements. For more information visit our website, contact our Enquiries Team or sign up to one of our Open Days to see what BGU can offer you. -
Lecturer’s Collaborative Research Published in Healthcare Journal
Nicki Walsh, Senior lecturer (and Programme Lead for Health and Social Care) in the School of Social Science at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU), has been published alongside Rachael Mason, Practice Placement Development Worker at the University of Lincoln, for their collaborative evaluation of management placements for nursing students in UK general practice. General Practice is facing a shortage of nurses and it can be difficult to recruit and retain staff. Nursing students need exposure to Primary Care nursing roles if they are to consider them in their future career and to develop the skills needed for this environment. To help combat this shortage and boost opportunities a study was designed to explore the experiences and perceptions of students on their final placement in general practice. The collected data was then thematically analysed and three themes were derived from the data: myth busting, the teaching and learning environment, and attaining competency. This work continues with the local Primary Care services with a Health Education England funded project with Lincs West CCG and Lincolnshire STP which is piloting training posts for Nurses new to General Practice. This will be supported by BGU in terms of Educational provision, consultation and advice as well as evaluation. The evaluation can be found in the journal ‘Primary Healthcare’ volume 28, issue 7 (34-41. doi: 10.7748/phc.2018.e1443). For registered healthcare professionals looking to pursue a career in Primary Care, BGU’s new MSc Primary and Community Care (along with the forth coming PGCert in General Practice Nursing) is the ideal way to learn and perfect the Fundamental skills required to start in roles dedicated to Primary Health Care. For more information on our range of Health & Social Care courses – including our BA in Health & Social Care, and MA in Health & Social Care Leadership visit our website, contact our Enquiries Team or sign up for one of our Open Days. -
BG Futures Inspires New Enterprises in Global Entrepreneurship Week
BGU Enterprise Club, run by the BG Futures, Careers, Employability and Enterprise team recently ran a series of events as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW); an international initiative which spans 170 countries, and inspires millions to engage in entrepreneurial activity. The week started with the ‘be enterprising boot camp’ where students discovered what it takes to be an entrepreneur. Sessions on how to join The Lincoln Teenage Market, become self-employed, and how to build your professional profile followed along with a talk from Rachel Linstead of Firecracker, a BG Futures based business, who shared her start-up story. On the final day individuals had the opportunity to pitch for free office space to start their own business in BG Futures Business and Enterprise Centre. Becky Goodman, Enterprise Development Manager at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) expressed her hope that the GEW activities would encourage more students to begin their entrepreneurial adventures: “It was great to see learners from a variety of our courses engage with the enterprise offer we are developing here at BGU. “We currently have two Master's Students in residence with us in BG Futures developing their business idea into an effective plan, and we are looking forward to welcoming another undergraduate into our enterprise centre in the New Year who secured a free place with us through the GEW initiative. “I am looking forward to helping more of our students take steps towards self-employment as we continue to develop the enterprise offer at BGU” All BGU students have access to free enterprise and business start guidance, access to free hot desking and a virtual office in BG Futures Business and Enterprise Centre, in addition to networking and volunteering opportunities with a wide variety of local organisations. There is also an opportunity to secure enterprise grants to aid self-employment and business start via the BGU enterprise club. To find out more email enterprise@bishopg.ac.uk. -
Federation of Small Businesses aims to help BA Business Students achieve their ambitions
Students on the BA (Hons) Business course at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) recently enjoyed a guest lecture from David Thorpe; Development Manager at the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). The FSB are ‘experts in business, and offer members a wide range of vital business services including advice, financial expertise, support and a powerful voice in government. The FSB’s mission is to help smaller businesses achieve their ambitions. Currently first year BA (Hons) Business students are looking at the impact of the business environment on Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs), and how to access business support as part of their Business Fundamentals module. David’s lecture was therefore a great opportunity for the students to gain a deeper insight into what the FSB can do to support businesses, and furthermore; the structure and composition of organisations operating in the UK economy. Becky Goodman, Module Leader on the BA Business course, explained why guest lectures form an essential part of the course: “Guest lectures are a great way for students to keep up to date with what is happening in the world of business and work, especially with regard to specialist areas such as business support.” All BGU students have access to Business and Enterprise support and guidance through engaging with the onsite Business and Enterprise Centre; BG Futures. Learners who wish to develop a business or enterprise idea should email enterprise@bishopg.ac.uk to arrange an appointment. If you would like to work with the students at BGU to share your knowledge and expertise then please do contact the BG Futures Careers, Employability and Enterprise team by emailing bgfutures@bishopg.ac.uk For more information on our innovative business courses and how you can join one visit our website. -
SENDI and Counselling Students Experience International Perspectives
Third year Special Educational Needs, Disability & Inclusion (SENDI) and Counselling students at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) were joined by Education Erasmus students from Germany and Czech Republic for a special learning session. Led by Dr Maria Efstratopoulou (Senior Lecturer in SENDI) and Jenny Hamilton (Program Leader for Counselling) the students were given school case scenarios on a child or young person experiencing different issues and asked to deliver presentations in small groups to say how they would approach supporting both the student and the family from a Counselling and/or SENI perspective. Students were able to learn from each other and gain insight into how different professionals within a school context might approach supporting the student. Following a positive response from the students involved, who felt they gained different perspectives and enjoyed working together, similar activities will be arranged for other groups of students/professionals within the School of Social Sciences. In addition to encouraging European educational cooperation, Dr Efstratopoulou has been working alongside the Department of Psychology from San Paolo University, Brazil to translate the English version of the Motor Behaviour Checklist for Children (MBC) into Portuguese. The MBC (Efstratopoulou, Janssen, Simons, 2012) is a valid and reliable instrument for teachers to rate challenging behaviour in their primary students using observation protocols in school settings. The MBC checklist has already translated into numerous languages (including Greek, Polish, Chinese, Flemish, and Arabic) and has been used in many research studies. Following this new translation the first article applying the MBC to Brazilian students has been published in TRENS in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Journal. Courses at BGU are packed with unique learning opportunities and led by academics with international expertise. To find out how you can become a part of the BGU community, visit our website or contact our Enquiries Team. -
Utilising Drama to Improve Medical Communication
Lyndsay Muir, Senior Lecturer in Teacher Development and Drama at Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU), has collaborated on a study into the practical application of drama skills in clinical practice to boost communication. Communication skills, in and outside the world of medicine, are vital skills for everyone, but none more so perhaps than for doctors and patients in the critical context of clinical practice. ‘The Drama of Communication’ is a collaborative piece of work between applied drama specialists’ highly experienced medical professionals and their educators. It explores how techniques borrowed from educative drama practice can be applied to help qualified doctors in their work. Working with GPs and experienced GP trainers practical exercises in facial expression and gesture, the ‘great duet’ in communication terms, are used to explore the whole orchestra of skills humans have available to them to improve the impact and effectiveness of their work as professionals. ‘The Drama of Communication’ is featured in The Clinical Teacher, 2017, 14:60-62. Key partners in the project were Joanna Murphy (Professional Support Unit, Health Education), Professor Johnny Lyon-Maris (GP Education Unit, Southampton General Hospital) and Dr Samantha Scallan, (Department of Interprofessional Studies, University of Winchester). For more information for how to start your learning adventure on one of our innovative Drama or PGCE courses visit our website or contact our Enquiries Team. -
Collaborative Work Aims to Support Vulnerable Children
Supporting vulnerable children is the subject of a new collaborative work edited by Bishop Grosseteste University’s (BGU) Dr Pat Beckley.
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