Sinead Harmey, Amanda Ince, Bin Guo, Shira Salomon Lider (UCL IOE, Learning and Leadership)
45 minute discussion
In this session we will provide participants with a brief overview our ongoing UCL Changemakers project from the perspective of both staff and students. This project aims to enhance students’ educational experience at UCL. The project team aspire to support MA students in the Department of Learning and Leadership (UCL IOE) in Terms 2 and 3, with the goals of creating an online peer support and learning community. This is particularly relevant to students in the COVID-19 context because learning is online and students are missing the ‘hidden’ academic and social opportunities to be on campus and become part of an academic community. The project includes an ongoing series of events (drop in chats, writing workshops, alumni talks) that revolve around peer support, support for dissertation, and support for career development and beyond. Through this suite of supports we hope to develop transferable skills and enhance the student experience. We will address key issues including: connecting with students, involving staff, creating community in an online world, and addressing the ‘hidden’ opportunities of an MA programme as students study in the context of an ongoing pandemic.