CAN 2018 conference presentation

1. Newman University, Genners Lane, Bartley Green, Birmingham B32 3NT T: +44(0)121 476 1181 www.newman.ac.ukNewman University, Genners Lane, Bartley Green, Birmingham B32 3NT T: +44(0)121 476 1181 www.newman.ac.uk
Penny Keeling, Rae
Preece, Helen Bardy and
Sarah Parkes
Learning analytics in the student-centred
university: perspectives and partnerships
at Newman University

2. Newman University, Genners Lane, Bartley Green, Birmingham B32 3NT T: +44(0)121 476 1181 www.newman.ac.uk
Pedagogy of Partnership at Newman University
Why Partnership?
NUS (2012) Manifesto for Partnership:
…a critical response to marketisation of HE…
…students are not passive recipients of HE nor customers…
QAA: openness, trust and agreed shared goals.
Newman – influenced by Paulo Friere: Shared sense of Hope
…democratic engagement, meaningful dialogue and co-operative working…
‘An ongoing transformative and collaborative process of being and becoming’

3. Newman University, Genners Lane, Bartley Green, Birmingham B32 3NT T: +44(0)121 476 1181 www.newman.ac.uk
Using Student Engagement Data
Commitment to well being and human flourishment
(Strategic Plan, 2014, p3)
Systems need to be in place to monitor student behaviour, particularly participation and
performance, to identify students at risk of withdrawing, rather than only relying on entry
qualifications or other student entry characteristics. Action must be taken when at-risk
behaviour is observed (Thomas et al, 2017, p 10)

4. Newman University, Genners Lane, Bartley Green, Birmingham B32 3NT T: +44(0)121 476 1181 www.newman.ac.uk
Big data techniques to aid
HEI’s in helping learners
and institutions meet their
goals
It is the human side of higher
education that comes first – finding
friends, feeling confident and above all,
feeling a part of your course of study and
the institution – that is the necessary
starting point for academic success
HEA (2016) What works? Student retention and success change programme:
Briefing for HE providers
Learner Analytics

5. Newman University, Genners Lane, Bartley Green, Birmingham B32 3NT T: +44(0)121 476 1181 www.newman.ac.uk
Semi-structured focus groups
Overall = very happy with proposal
• Students were not concerned [following exploration] about the data
collected about them
• Keep transparency between staff and students
• See the student holistically, not just the data at hand in one
circumstance
Concerns
• Confidentiality about data, who has access?
• Opt-in or opt-out?
• Questions about matching university ethos
Student Partnership Project 2016

6. Newman University, Genners Lane, Bartley Green, Birmingham B32 3NT T: +44(0)121 476 1181 www.newman.ac.uk
Students are real, diverse people who cannot be wholly defined
or limited by their visible data nor any interpretations of it
Using data is an ethical practice and aligns with our focus
on formative education that seeks to develop the whole
person through transformative learning
Interventions should be pedagogically focused and
supportive - not punitive
See here: http://www.newman.ac.uk/corporate-information/5185/using-student-engagement-data-policy
Principles for Using Student Engagement Data

7. Newman University, Genners Lane, Bartley Green, Birmingham B32 3NT T: +44(0)121 476 1181 www.newman.ac.uk
Student Partnership Projects 2017-18
•Phase One: 2017
Jan to July 17: Consultation re intervention design
Sports & Exercise; English; Youth and Community
Work/Criminology and Evolve programmes
•Phase Two: 2017/18
Sept to Dec: Implementation of interventions
January: Evaluation
HEFCE Catalyst Project 2017-18

8. Newman University, Genners Lane, Bartley Green, Birmingham B32 3NT T: +44(0)121 476 1181 www.newman.ac.uk
Students confirmed findings from SPP 2016
- important we react when data indicates non-
activity
- transparency needed between students and staff
- used in combination with local knowledge to provide
an holistic view of the student
- personal contact provided by someone with
knowledge of the student or experience of their
programme of study
Phase One Findings

9. Newman University, Genners Lane, Bartley Green, Birmingham B32 3NT T: +44(0)121 476 1181 www.newman.ac.uk
• Module specific mentoring: submission rate rose
27%
• Provided examples of good practice in subject-
specific peer mentoring
• Less early withdrawals
• Less suspension and transfers out of programme
• Helped identify student needs in time
• Identified further training needs for mentors
• Positive student experience for both mentees and
mentors
• Testing the technology: DataX and Study Goal
Emergent findings of data-informed partnerships

10. Newman University, Genners Lane, Bartley Green, Birmingham B32 3NT T: +44(0)121 476 1181 www.newman.ac.uk
• Enables better relationships between student-partner
and staff;
• Engagement data project enabled multi-disciplinary
working between staff groups;
• Relationship-building extends beyond subject area;
• Student partner mediates relationships between staff
and other students;
• Reciprocal understanding of each others circumstances
and responsibilities;
• Improved confidence in public speaking for students
through dissemination;
• Side effect of developing employability skills (CPD)
Benefits of working in student – staff partnerships

11. Newman University, Genners Lane, Bartley Green, Birmingham B32 3NT T: +44(0)121 476 1181 www.newman.ac.uk
Key Question from the HEFCE pilot
Contact us!
Penny Keeling | Third year Youth & Community College
keel400@newman.ac.uk
Rae-Ann Preece | Third year Youth & Community College
pree402@newman.ac.uk
Helen Bardy | Senior Lecturer
H.Bardy@newman.ac.uk
Sarah Parkes | Tutor for Transition & Retention
Sarah.parkes@newman.ac.uk