Welcome to the first monthly post in the new-look Learning Development Centre Blog for 2011-12. Bookmark this page and keep a look out for updates in the first week of each month.
We use the blog to announce events and development opportunities that we run; to inform staff of initiatives, projects and changes, and to celebrate the successes of staff from across City University London.
In the blog this month:
Researcher’s Development Programme 2011-12
Online Research Skills Session – 19th October 2011
The LDC Research Development Programme opens this year with a half day session on Online Research Skills. It will run from 13:00 – 17:00 on Wednesday 19th October. It will cover the online resources available at City for researchers and ensure that you are comfortable with them and understand how they can help you to get the most out of your research time.
Attendees must register by e-mailing ldc@city.ac.uk, as places are limited.
Research Development Day – 23rd November 2011
The Learning Development Centre is pleased to announce that the first of this year’s researchers’ development full-day events will take place on Wednesday 23rd November 2011. This one day conference aims to help researchers gain new skills and gives them the opportunity to network with staff from across the university.
The sessions will be divided into two strands, one for postgraduate researchers and the other for early career researchers, so you can attend the sessions most relevant to you. Each session lasts 55 minutes and will focus on a different aspect of research. Topics include: preparing for your viva; working effectively with your supervisor; managing a research team and project; getting media publicity for your research.
A welcome and introduction will be given by Vice Chancellor Professor Paul Curran on the subject of Research at City. There will also be several plenary sessions including one on the subject: ‘REF: what is it and what does it mean for the individual researcher?’ given by Jo Bradford, Director of Research at City University.
The event will be followed by a drinks reception, and there will be networking opportunities throughout the day. We invite you to review the programme, and register for the event online. Please visit our website for more information.
Further events in the Research Programme 2011-12 are scheduled for the new year, and will be featured in this blog in the coming months. More details of all the events can be found on the LDC website by clicking the link at the top.
The MILL: Guest Starring iTunes U
The Learning Development Centre cordially invites you to attend the launch night of the Media Innovation and Learning Lab (MILL) guest starring iTunesU and featuring Adobe Connect.This exclusive event will be held on Tuesday 1st November from 4-6pm. Guests will get a rare glimpse behind the scenes at the exciting world of video production at the MILL, with interactive demonstrations of its podcasting, web conferencing and blue screen technologies. With staff on hand to talk you through the podcasting process you can see just how easy it is to turn your basic film ideas into a polished final product with which to inspire your students. Meet the cast and find out how lecturers are changing the way they feedback to students using audio and video technologies.
The star-studded evening will culminate with a screening of some of the very best iTunes U videos created by City University staff so you can witness first hand what an exciting educational tool film can be. Movie-themed refreshments will be served throughout the event and guests are invited to take a film quiz, with a mystery prize to be won.
A City staff event from the LDC:
Places are limited so book now at http://tinyurl.com/LDCMILL to avoid disappointment.
LDC Journal and Research Club
The LDC’s Research and Journal Club meets once a month over lunchtime, and gives participants the opportunity to discuss many different aspects of educational research with the LDC and their peers. Each month a guest speaker will introduce a different thematic area related to HE research and participants will be asked to reflect upon a variety of issues relevant to the subject.
This year’s dates and corresponding topics are listed below. All sessions begin at midday and last for an hour and a half. For more information or if you would like to attend please contact ldc@city.ac.uk.
Thursday 20th October 2011: Establishing your Research Question
Friday 25th November 2011: Ethics of Research in Higher Education
Tuesday 13th December 2011: Conducting a Literature Review
Tuesday 17th January 2012: Journal club article review
Thursday 9th February 2012: Writing Abstracts and Submitting to Conferences
Monday 12th March 2012: Surveys in Higher Education Research
Tuesday 10th April 2012: Journal club article review
Thursday 24th May 2012: Conducting Interviews and Focus Groups
Tuesday 19th June 2012: Analysing Data in Higher Education Research
Thursday 12th July 2012: Journal club article review
Academic Practice Modules
The Academic Practice Programme commences teaching for 2011-12 this week, but we still have available places for students wishing to study an individual module. All these modules are free for City staff members.
One of these is our Academic Leadership module, looking at leadership in practice and considering the application of specific leadership theories to academic practice. It will provide participants with an excellent opportunity to reflect on their role and personal leadership development through considering a variety of leadership models and examples. We ask whether academic leadership is different to other forms of leadership, and if so, what makes it unique.
We also invite senior leaders in from City to talk through their own leadership experiences and lessons. The module is taught over four days using a variety of techniques to facilitate discussion on the challenges and strengths of viewing academic leadership as different.
Previous participants said: “This was a very good module”; “I loved the coffee and papers sessions. I also enjoyed the fact that there was a good balance between theory and practice”; “This has provided a better-than-expected opportunity for me to consider my own position and direction”.
You can find out more information and download an application form from the LDC website, or by contacting the admin team at MAAP@city.ac.uk
Oh My Pod! Sessions continue into October
The LDC will be running 10 more sessions to get you up to speed with the new streamlined build for the Teaching Pods. The full list of sessions is below, so pick the one that’s easiest for you and sign up using our online form
Monday 10th October – 12:30-1:30pm – University Building Room B104
Tuesday 11th October – 12:00-1:00pm – University Building Room B103
Wednesday 12th October – 12:00-1:00pm – University Building Room B103
Monday 17th October – 1:00-2:00pm – University Building Room B104
Tuesday 18th October – 1:00-2:00pm – University Building Room B104
Wednesday 19th October – 1:00-2:00pm – Tait Building Room C170
Monday 24th October – 1:00-2:00pm – University Building Room B104
Tuesday 25th October – 1:00-2:00pm – Tait Building Room C150
Wednesday 26th October – 1:00-2:00pm – University Building Room B104
Research Skills Online Event – Wednesday 19th October 2011
LDC Journal & Research Club: Establishing your Research Question – Thursday 20th October 2011
The MILL Launch: Guest Starring iTunes U – Tuesday 1st November 2011
Researcher’s Development Day – Wednesday 23rd November 2011