SEDA Spring Teaching Learning and Assessment Conference 2012

The Call for Contributions is now closedThe May 2012 conference, to be held in Chester, will focus on the student journey. We invite proposals for sessions exploring aspects of the students’ journey from transition to university to graduation and further study or employment. The student experience has always been at the centre of our work but in the current climate with increased student fees, and a focus on employability it is even more central to our roles. We are interested in hearing about the range of activities you engage in to enhance the student experience; how you involve students in their learning or assessment design; and approaches to engaging them in research. Tell us about your innovative approaches to prepare students for work? How do you include the student voice in staff professional development? Session formatsThe emphasis should be on reflection, exploration and evaluation rather than merely describing what is happening. It is also a long-standing tradition at SEDA conferences to hold sessions which involve delegates in active participation and discussion, and consequently this is a key requirement of all proposals. Proposals for posters, papers and workshops are invited which address the conference themes. Themes:·        

• Student transition·        
• Engaging students in their learning design and /or assessment·        
• Students as researchers·        
• The student voice in staff professional development·        
• Preparing students for work

Workshops: (45 or 90 minutes) with the emphasis on high levels of participation Discussion papers: (up to 25 minutes plus at least 20 minutes of questions and discussion) giving an account of research, evaluation, policy or practice with the emphasis on drawing out lessons for others and involving participants in engaging with your findings. Posters: the maximum size should be A1. Posters will be available for participants to view throughout the conference. Additionally, there will be a timetabled poster session when presenters should be available to discuss the content with conference participants.   Submitting your proposalProposals should be submitted electronically to SEDA at conferences@seda.ac.uk, using the proposal form , by Friday 4th November 2011. It is normal practice to accept only one contribution per individual so as to provide the opportunity for as many people to contribute as possible. It is a requirement that all presenters register as conference delegates either for the whole event or for the day of their session. Criteria for acceptance of proposalsEach proposal will be reviewed for acceptance at the conference against the following criteria:

• Relevance to the conference title and themes
• Clarity and coherence of the proposal
• Reflection and evaluation of ideas around the future of educational development, locally, institutionally, theoretically and nationally and internationally
• Contribution to scholarship and evaluation of educational development in further and higher education
• Clear opportunities for participants to actively engage in the session, and particularly in workshops to reflect on transferability to their own practice.