Professor Debra Humphris, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education introduces the Learn with US programme.
Learn with US is a programme designed to stretch and challenge students in Further Education, support the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), and help with the transition to Higher Education. In addition to this, its leading edge research focus helps to give students a better impression of what it may be like to learn at a research intensive Russell Group institution.
It uses current research to create engaging lectures, seminars, academic skills workshops and think-tank contests. Academic support for students taking the Extended Project is also an integral part of the programme. Each element is based upon current affairs to ensure that the content is relevant to all students. Learn with US gives participants from a variety of backgrounds, disciplines and qualifications the chance to meet and work together.
The aim of all parts of the Learn with US programme is to encourage students’ critical thinking, curiosity, scholarship, reflection and independent learning. It provides a structured transition programme to ease students into Higher Education, whilst enriching their learning and bolstering their personal statements.
The Learn with US programme can accompany existing programmes of study, such as General Studies and Critical Thinking, can be tailored to complement learning in a particular subject area, or can even form part of an Higher Education programme, club or society. All elements of the programme can be delivered on our own campus or at your institution, and can be tailored to suit any size group.
Chris Fuller, Learn with US Coordinator, talks about the programme.
My primary aim with the Learn with US programme is to support schools and colleges in preparing their students for the challenges of Higher Education. In addition, I hope to introduce the students we work with to the broad, interdisciplinary mindset that the University of Southampton believes is required from modern undergraduates in an ever changing job market. Through sharing our expertise and resources in this area, and by building close partnerships with those responsible for preparing future undergraduates, it is my hope that we can both ease students’ transition into Higher Education and support the staff charged with getting them here in the first place.
Dr Helen Spurling, Learn with US Lecturer, speaks on the importance of the programme.
I find the Learn with US programme inspiring as it shows students in Years 12 and 13 the unlimited possible directions that research can take. Informed by my experience of undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, I appreciate the opportunity to give Further Education students more insight into the academic side of university life. I have always had a great enthusiasm in conducting my own research, and, through the Learn with US programme, I hope to encourage the same interest in scholarship amongst those students who take part.
Feedback on the Learn with US programme
It has made a big impact. In a way, I hadn't thought enough about the fact that a brief explanation of the, main forms of university teaching would not make much sense to them, but experiencing them has made it all a lot clearer. Here are some of the comments from the students:
"I definitely felt relaxed and not scared as I originally thought. It's almost a reflex to feel intimidated in a room with unknown intellectuals but they were very welcoming."
"The lectures and seminar were good and I was really surprised by them. I found the topic of discussion interesting which I wasn't expecting."
"It opened my eyes to the reality of university life and made me more aware of my weaknesses. I don't think I have really put thought before now into what exactly attending university entails."
"I found the lecture very informative and it made me think a lot about the world's current state. [...] I also liked the idea of seminars because the stereotype is just lectures and I like the idea of being able to listen to the opinions of others and the various questions they may have that I have not considered."
I suppose the point is that it really makes them understand what university is like (bearing in mind that 72% are the first from their family to consider university) and that it is worth striving for and also achievable.
John Death (Curriculum Head and G&T Coordinator, Palmer’s College)
We have found the skills guides very useful and have made them available to the EPQ candidates.
Kath Mundy (Head of Curriculum, Lady Eleanor Holles School)
Thank you [...] for a very good day yesterday. Many of the students did find it initially hard, but the proof of the pudding et al - most of the students when quizzed said that they would now be confident to go back and use the library again and several of them would be prepared to take another student down to show them the ropes. Every one of them commented on how useful your lecture was!
I think that this is a brilliant opportunity for them. I also think that there are things I could do here to prepare them for the experience more thoroughly than we did, such as making sure that they've looked at the 'Learn with US' materials in class before the visit! Thank you very much again.
Steph Cussen (EPQ Coordinator, Barton Peveril College)
Thank you once again for the brilliant day yesterday. It was a great opportunity for those students to get a head start with their research and I am sure they will now be more confident about returning to Hartley or to visit other libraries.
Some of them were so inspired by your lecture in the afternoon that they are thinking of changing their titles to something in the area of international relations! I think it is highly likely that you will be contacted by some of them again. We appreciate you taking the time to help support us in the delivery of the Extended Project.It is a link we greatly value.
Rosemary Smith (EPQ Coordinator, Peter Symonds College)
Thank you very much for your visits, the girls are still buzzing about the lectures and the points you raised. Senior Café exists to widen the girls' appreciation of world events, science, the arts and different careers. Chris delivered two talks to Café this year, on the subjects of US foreign policy and cyber-terrorism. Both talks were pitched at the perfect level for the girls and posed some challenging questions for the girls to consider. The talks built well as they progressed, making the girls feel comfortable with the new knowledge before moving on. The use of voting cards to assess the girls’ opinions on the topics covered in the talks made them interactive and kept the girls very interested throughout. As a veteran of many Café talks, I can safely say that Chris’ were the best not only at keeping the girls attention, but also in the way in which they introduced at times quite difficult concepts. I would have no hesitation in inviting Chris back to LEH to deliver talks in the future.
George Budd (Organiser of Senior Café, Lady Eleanor Holles School)
Many, many thanks to you and to Helen. Students and staff singing both your praises and that of the university on their return. They found the research based learning project challenging, but they thoroughly enjoyed it. I do hope that you felt it was worthwhile as well and we would love to take the opportunity again next year.
Fiona Pyrgos (Head of Careers, Bryanston School)
I had my ACE group again today, and they were still raving about how brilliant your session on Robotics was last week! I just wanted to say a big thank you again, and reiterate how much we appreciated the hard work you put into the sessions. They really were inspiring and thought provoking. I really look forward to working with you again in February as we start to prepare for our EPQ's.
Kerry Pringle (Tutor Manager, Taunton’s College)
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