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This is the May 2009 eBulletin from FACE (the Forum for Access and Continuing Education), offered to practitioners, policy-makers, researchers and others with an interest in access, widening participation and lifelong learning. The eBulletin is sent to colleagues in the sector, members and non-members alike. If you would prefer not to receive it, please contact Jim at James.Tate@uwe.ac.uk and your details will be removed from the circulation list.
ESCALATE Early Career’s Sponsorship
Funding Awarded
In the last edition of the FACE eBulletin there was a call for applications for the full fee paid place, kindly sponsored by ESCalate, the subject centre for education at the HE Academy, for an early career researcher to present at this year's FACE conference.
The Applications came in thick and fast and were of the highest quality. After much soul searching the FACE panel awarded the ESCalate sponsorship to Charlotte Young of Aimhigher in LIFE located at Bournemouth University. Congratulations Charlotte.
Because the quality was so high we have decided to invite selected runners up to attend the conference and present at a drastically reduced rate . . . which some have accepted. The ESCalate sponsorship is a new departure for both FACE and ESCalate and a very welcome one.
FACE-funded research 2009 - Synopsis of one of this year's projects
This year FACE has once again provided funding to support small pieces of research into Access and Continuing Education through its Research and Development Fund. In 2008-09 grants have been awarded to three pieces of research. The full list of recipients can be found on the Research Page of the website. Here is a synopsis of one of this year's research projects.
Are Access to HE learners being recruited onto Foundation Degrees?
Since the changes to the Access to Higher Education Recognition Scheme and the introduction of a standard credit value for the new Diplomas, many of the Access to HE programmes have become more aligned with specific vocational requirements. Indeed through the recent work of the London Lifelong Learning Networks in developing Progression Agreements for Access to HE between partner FE colleges and HEIs in their particular areas, mapping of curriculum and best fit for learner progression has been facilitated between institutions.
In this FACE funded research project OCNLR proposes to explore the incidence of progression of Access learners into Foundation Degrees (FD) in the London area. With the increase in the number of FDs in London HEIs and in partner FE colleges requiring additional and targeted recruitment, it is of interest to investigate whether cohorts of Access to HE learners are already or could be presenting a pool of qualified entrants for entry onto FDs. The actual research question; will allow an investigation of actual practice and the results should inform staff in both HEIs and FECs about progression routes. A subsidiary question may also be addressed about whether there are discernible differences for Access learners in progression into FDs available in HEIs and FE colleges; investigating the hypothesis that FE colleges are offering internal progression routes from Access to HE courses onto their own FDs.
Questionnaires have specifically been aimed at two groups of learners, namely, 2008-2009 cohorts of Access students and 2008-2009 Foundation Degree students. The focus of the questionnaire covers the following key strands:
- the learner background and general profile of access students,
- the fit between the Access to HE course components and the FD curriculum,
- the sources of information about students chosen FD, the application and selection experience and the value and benefits of any guidance received,
- general profile of Foundation learners.
In addition to the questionnaire, a small number of providers have been approached to facilitate face-face interviews with students either in small groups or one-to-one
Research results will be disseminated at the FACE conference in July and the results will be shared with all those providers who have taken part and will be featured on the OCNLR website.
Maree Walker, Chief Executive, Open College Network London Region (OCNLR)
Conference Update - FACE 2009
Towards a New Agenda for Lifelong Learning:
Access, Diversity and Participation
1st -3rd July, Staffordshire University
This year we have a total of 55 papers being presented. These and the 5 keynotes, four roundtables, host of exhibitors, two live bands, good food and drink and convivial company make this years FACE Conference unmissable. Unless of course you forget to book!
Urgent - 27th May - North Stafford Hotel offer expires
Anyone requiring hotel accommodation at the special B&B conference rate of £50.00 per night needs to book prior to 27th May. Places are limited and once again it is first come first served. Once booked onto the conference delegates will be given a group booking code. If delegates ring the booking line and quote the code they will be offered the special rate. If you try to do this online it will tell you the hotel is full so don’t try online, use the phone.
Urgent - Monday 1st June - registration deadline
If you want to go to the conference you need to book by 1st June. Please remember it is first come first served. As always places are finite . . . . if you want to guarantee a place book sooner rather than later.
Register at ONLINE REGISTRATION FOR FACE 2009
Full conference details are available on the FACE CONFERENCE 2009 web page
Report on Work-based learning conference and publications
The third annual conference looking at issues surrounding the development of Work-based learning, "Work-Based Learning Futures 3" was held last month at the Ramada Encore Hotel in Derby. Jointly organised by University of Derby and Middlesex University, it featured a range of keynotes and particularly 26 workshops, covering a wide range of practical and theoretical perspectives on the practice of work-based learning in Higher Education.
Topics covered included the development of Communities of Practice, workplace mentoring, action learning in work-based learning, patched assessment techniques, E-APEL, social networking sites as an aid to work-based learners, employee and employer attitudes and approaches to work-based learning.
The conference workshops were offered over a two day period, and papers from the conference will be collected and published in collaboration with the University Vocational Awards Council (UVAC). Likely to be snappily entitled "Work-Based Learning Futures 3", the publication is due to be launched at the UVAC conference in York in November 2009, and will be available thereafter.
Also launched at the conference was a short but comprehensive learners’ guide to HE level work-based learning, called “Getting Started with University level Work-based learning”. Not an academic study, this is an easily accessible companion, which sets out to answer a learner’s questions about how to engage with the various systems and processes involved in work-based learning. It has been put together by practitioners in three of the country leading WBL schemes; University of Derby, Middlese University and Northumbria University.
For more details of the guide, or to receive a copy, please contact Middlesex University Press, www.mupress.co.uk
Jeff Braham, University of Derby
Last chance to contribute to the next FACE eJournal
The fate of lifelong learning in the credit crunch
Personal debt, job insecurity, skills shortages, re-training, employment crises, short-term thinking and long-term effects; just what is the credit crunch going to mean for those working and studying in lifelong learning?
Contribute to the next issue of the FACE eJournal FACE to FACE.
The theme of the next issue will be: "The fate of lifelong learning in the credit crunch."
The deadline for contributions is 28th May 2009.
Contact Pete at pete.jones@staffs.ac.uk for further information.
New Research on Foundation Degrees from the University of Leicester
The Institute of Lifelong Learning at the University of Leicester have been progressing research funded by FDF into Foundation degrees and the role of employers. There are two sets of publications available to download from their website:
1. Successful Foundation Degrees – A study of the role of employers and other key factors
Go to the Full report and Executive Summary
Hard copies of the full report (price £17.50 inc p&p) and of the executive summary (price £7.50 inc p&p)can be purchased by contacting kmm11@le.ac.uk
2. Blueprint for Success which commenced in January 2009 has also produced two publications so far.
Dos and Don’ts for working with employers and developing successful foundation degrees and other work-related, accredited higher education programmes.
Employers’ engagement with Foundation Degrees – Report on a study of the experiences of Ten Employers.
Go to the webpage to view/download these publications
Hard copies of the 'Dos and Don’ts for working with employers' publication (price £7.50 inc p&p) and of the ‘Employers’ engagement with foundation degrees’ publication (price £7.50 inc p&p) can be purchased by contacting : kmm11@le.ac.uk
Some Other Seminars and Conferences for 2009
Enhancing Success for All Students
Queen’s University Belfast, Tuesday 23rd June 2009
Details of this seminar including abstract, speakers and bookings are available online
40 free places are available on a first-come, first-served basis. To book a place, please email ced@qub.ac.uk directly.
This research seminar is part of the Higher Education Academy Research Seminar Series 2009: Access and Success for All.
New Opportunities for Engaging with Schools
Thursday 25th June 2009
Hallmark Hotel, Midland Road, Derby, DE1 2SQ
Higher Education Institutions and Aimhigher Partnerships have always worked with schools in support of widening participation. In light of the 'New Opportunities' White Paper and the National Council for Educational Excellence Implementation Plan is there any reason to think that the nature of that engagement might change?
This seminar will give participants the opportunity to become more familiar with some of the key recommendations from those documents as well as the chance to discuss how future engagement with schools might look. Also there will be presentations from a range of practitioners on some of the varying models of engagement that exist.
There is a charge of £125 to attend this event.
What else is in the News?
For the latest UK Education headlines and stories go to the FACE News Feeds page where you'll find the online news feeds of several of the sources listed below gathered together on one page for easy access.
The Guardian http://education.guardian.co.uk
The Independent http://news.independent.co.uk/education
The BBC http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/default.stm
The Times http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/education
The Times Higher Education http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk
DCSF News Centre http://www.dfes.gov.uk/pns/newslist.cgi
DIUS News Distribution Service http://nds.coi.gov.uk/environment/dius/
LSC News http://www.lsc.gov.uk/News
If you wish to respond to anything in this E-bulletin or contribute to the June 2009 issue, please email Jim at James.Tate@uwe.ac.uk