Teaching research nexus
Professor Dilly Fung and the Connected Curriculum
Dr Adam Longcroft (Deputy Head, Anglia Learning & Teaching) and Professor Dilly Fung (Head of Arena, at UCL) met in November 2016.
In the clips below Professor Fung explains the key drivers for the introduction of the Connected Curriculum, the key characteristics of the initiative, the benefits of the approach for students and staff, whilst reflecting on the implementation process and lessons learned. Early signs of ‘impact’ on student learning and the effectiveness of the curriculum in preparing students for the big global challenges we all face, are also discussed.
Professor Fung has led the development and implementation of the Connected Curriculum at UCL over the past 2-3 years. The Connected Curriculum is a distinctive and university-wide curriculum initiative that places research-based education at the heart of the student learning experience at UCL. UCL's President, Michael Arthur sees it as part of a wider effort to close the gap between research and teaching:
At University College London, our top strategic priority for the next 20 years is to close the divide between teaching and research. We want to integrate research into every stage of an undergraduate degree, moving from research-led to research-based teaching.
The Connected Curriculum is about:
- Educating through dialogue and active, critical enquiry
- Creating an inclusive research and learning community
- Making connections across modules, programmes and beyond the classroom
- Creating assessments that mirror ‘public engagement’ in research
- Equipping students to address interdisciplinary challenges
- Exploring critically the values and practices of global citizenship
- Engaging students as partners in their education, and as co-producers of knowledge
- Improving the experiences of both students and staff
Research-based teaching and learning includes staff sharing their own research with students. It also includes exposing students to different kinds of research materials and findings, giving them opportunities to learn about research methods and methodologies, and to actually undertake their own research as ‘producers’ of new knowledge. The intention is that research-related activity and learning infuse the entire curriculum at all stages. During the first few weeks at UCL, for example, all students engage in a ‘Meet the Researcher’ exercise, conducted in small team, where they investigate the research and publications of key members of the course tutor team, and present on their findings to their peers. This ensures that they get to learn about ‘how’ to research, whilst also gaining insights into key members of the teaching team they will be taught by.
The Connected Curriculum is an important experiment in curriculum design, and one which is being monitored – in terms of implementation – by a steering group and via the use of a 4-stage ‘benchmarking’ tool which can be found in the Connected Curriculum brochure.
Videos
Professor Dilly Fung explains what the Connected Curriculum is, and the factors that led to its creation. Dilly explains that the Connected Curriculum was seen by the incoming President as part of a radical 20 year project to transform learning and teaching and building the ‘nexus’ between research and the student learning experience.
Professor Dilly Fung explains what the key characteristics of the Connected Curriculum are. She highlights the fact that it covers undergraduate degree programmes, and all UG levels – i.e. from level 4 to 6. Dilly articulates how opportunities for students to engage with research in a number of ways are integrated across degree programmes.
Professor Dilly Fung explains how the integration of research and teaching is embedded throughout the degree experience, including right from the outset. At the beginning of year 1, students are required to work in small groups to engage with a ‘Meet the Researcher’ formative assignment, where they explore the research of a key member of the teaching team on their degree, and present their findings orally to their peers.
Professor Dilly Fung explains the consequences of the Connected Curriculum in terms of staff continuing professional development.
Professor Dilly Fung explains how NSS, focus groups and other methods are being used to measure the impact of the Connected Curriculum. Students are more actively engaged and are doing a wider range of assessments. Students are coming up with ideas about how to embed the Connected Curriculum further. A richer conversation about the nature of curriculum is ongoing.
Professor Dilly Fung explains how the Connected Curriculum is helping students to contribute to the big challenges facing us in the 21st century, as global citizens. Dilly explains that good education has a purpose, which is to impact positively on society as a whole. She notes that the Connected Curriculum is intended to ensure that students can test evidence, think critically and engage with colleagues and organisations across disciplinary boundaries, and by doing so make a real positive difference to organisations, to society and to our big challenges.
Professor Dilly Fung explains how the Connected Curriculum is helping students to contribute to the big challenges facing us in the 21st century, as global citizens. Dilly explains that good education has a purpose, which is to impact positively on society as a whole. She notes that the Connected Curriculum is intended to ensure that students can test evidence, think critically and engage with colleagues and organisations across disciplinary boundaries, and by doing so make a real positive difference to organisations, to society and to our big challenges.