Faculty of Health and Human Sciences

SCHOOL OF LIFE SCIENCES LEARNING AND TEACHING COMMITTEE (LFLTC)

Minutes of the meeting held on 12th February 2007

Present: Dr H Barefoot (HB), Dr Agneta Burton (AB), Ms Naomi Butler (NB), Mr James
Jenkins (JJ), Dr A Molleman (AM), Dr Niall McMullan (NM) Dr Dale Peterson
(DP)

1. Apologies for absence

Apologies from Dr Kate Graeme-Cook and Mr David Turner
The committee welcomed Mr James Jenkins (JJ) who replaces Dr Richard Southern.

2. BLU capital budget

It was agreed that the School would apply for funding for the following equipment from BLU
capital funding: two tablet PCs (2 x ~1200), Optical mark reader software (585) and a rapid
multi-feed scanner (~1400) and three portable DVD/TV combos (3 x ~200).
(Action: HB to write a one page application justifying the requests for equipment and
explaining how usage of the proposed equipment will be evaluated)

3. Feedback from meeting regarding utilisation of teaching rooms and standard of teaching
rooms
HB reported back from a meeting lead by Frank Benton and Mary Read regarding utilisation
and standard of teaching rooms. The University is inviting an external company to assess
room utilisation and functionality. Company representatives will be seeking feedback from
staff and students regarding teaching rooms.
(Action: HB will design brief questionnaires for staff and students to enable the HoS to
provide useful feedback during the consultation exercise)

4. Feedback from FLTAG, FAQEC and LFAQEC

4.1 Feedback from FAQEC
4.1.1 Issues related to Life Sciences as mentioned in the Annual Report on Academic Quality
2005-6 from the Associate Dean (Academic Quality)
L&T seminars - It was reported that attendance at the three L&T
workshop/seminars was not evenly distributed across all schools, with health-
related schools having a much greater presence than others. LFLTC recognised
that there had been representation at all the workshop/seminars by Life Sciences
staff and intended to ensure representation of at least one member of LFLTC at all
future events.
SFQ lecturer scores - It was reported that three Schools in the Faculty, including
Life Sciences (2.32), had lecturer averages higher than the University as a whole
(2.18). LFLTC discussed the results and were not overly concerned regarding the
slightly higher score. LFLTC considered variability of student expectation
amongst different student populations. LFLTC recognised the responsibility of the
HoS and HoDs in providing appropriate support and training for individual staff
with poor SFQs.
National Student Survey results It was pleasing to note that Biology and
related Sciences (including Sports Science) was rated 3.3 or above in all
categories (where 3 or above is a neutral/positive result) and Physical Geography
and Environmental Science was rated 3.7 or above in all categories.
4.1.2 Employability Guide The Employability: Learning, Teaching and the Curriculum
working group have produced a draft guide for academics and support staff. This is
 available via the Faculty StudyNet site - Faculty information Academic Quality and
Enhancement Faculty policy and procedures Employability draft guide
4.1.3 Change to Academic year FAQEC intend to hold early discussions with staff through
FAQEC sub-committees and possibly School meetings, regarding implementation of the
new academic year (July referrals/deferrals). It is expected that LFAQEC will discuss the
changes to procedures within the School.

5. Representatives for Higher Education Academy

KGC is the Bioscience representative. JJ is to speak to RS about becoming the GES
representative. It was unknown if Sports related degrees come under Centre for Bioscience.
(Action: HB to investigate)

HB presented data, sent to the HoS, regarding interaction with the Centre for Bioscience last
year. LFLTC disputed some of the data including 0 staff attended Centre for Bioscience
Events - DP reported that at least 2 members of Life Sciences had attended events. HB also
reported that she and KGC had signed up for an event which was subsequently cancelled by
HEA.

6. Learning and teaching/BLU fund bids

HB submitted a joint application with Philippa Goldsmith of the Equality Unit, for the
Learning and Teaching Committee Development Fund/BLU Sky fund - November/December
2006. The proposed project was titled: Evaluation and development of specialist study skills
support for students with specific learning difficulties (SpLD)(e.g. dyslexia). Unfortunately
the application was unsuccessful and feedback suggested that the bid was research focused.
There was, however, encouragement for amendment and re-submission. HB and Philippa
Goldsmith will consider this over the Easter period. JJ expressed interest in developing an
application regarding teaching students about referencing/plagiarism.

7. Feedback regarding any new assessment/teaching ideas

7.1. Induction week ideas - HB and NM discussed the possibility of revitalising the Biosciences
induction week for all levels. At level 1, the induction week activities should be informative
and enjoyable for the new students. At level 2 and 3, the possibility of focussing the activities
around career training was suggested (e.g. placement preparation for level 2 students and
employability/career opportunities for level 3 students). AB indicated some of the activities
involved in GES induction, including a trip to Bayfordbury which proves popular with
students and the setting of a piece of work on day one, stimulating interest in the subject area.
(Action: Discussion of induction week activities for Biosciences beyond LFLTC - HB, NM,
AM, KGC)
7.2. Students ability to answer essay questions
Concern was expressed over poor essay writing in examinations and in coursework
assignments. Lack of content, poor structure and inability to put information into context were
identified as areas of weakness. JJ discussed methods of deconstructing essays to aid level 1
students in their first essay assignment. AB discussed how GES had spent time writing careful
guidelines for the skills handbook but essay writing ability was still poor. NM speculated that
KST students studying Psychology alongside human biology, generally seemed to be better at
essay writing than Biosciences students.
(Action: HB to speak to colleagues in Psychology to determine the essay writing experience of
Psychology students and to ascertain examples of best practice that Life Sciences could
adopt)

8. Any Other Business

8.1 Marking criteria LFLTC briefly discussed differences in marking criteria across the
School. It was agreed that the next LFLTC meeting will focus on marking criteria with
examples from the different divisions within the School and examples from the Open
University and other Schools within the Faculty being discussed. Recommendations from
LFLTC will then be made to LFAQEC.