BA(Hons) Photography Programme: Trialling online group work

Providing additional support to a range of existing course materials across levels and units.

Following on from OCA research into student engagement as part of Project 2018 and drawing on student feedback at unit level, degree programmes across OCA are piloting a range of online group work sessions.

The BA(Hons) Photography team will be delivering a range of sessions across the programme, designed to provide additional support alongside course materials, across levels and units. For now this is a pilot and as such is limited to a certain amount of hours, it is hoped this pilot will be extended and that group work will become a core part of our provision allowing us to do more within both  course materials themselves and the new VLE.

As tutors we’re very excited by this initiative at OCA and tutor feedback on hosting the sessions has been very positive to date. Similarly many students have expressed their enthusiasm for this kind of style of delivery.

‘I think these are excellent. A great way to test and exchange ideas, solve problems and get to know fellow students a bit better. It helps with momentum, builds confidence, develops our critical thinking skills and reduces the feeling of isolation.’ (Forum live) 

“Thank you for a fantastic and thought provoking presentation (and also Still being on level two I am not ashamed to say that my mind was blown…the insight on the jump needed at level three has giving me a real jolt – in a good way! The information and way of thinking was extremely useful and pertinent to some concerns I have currently – I just need to process how I can put this to use now. This is a great initiative and I am looking forward to whatever comes next – thanks again! “(HE6 online group)

A brief summary of the sessions we have planned for the academic year 2019/20:

What: Forum Live – a bi-monthly peer-led group, attended by OCA tutor Clive White

When: On Sunday at 6pm Every 2 weeks

With Who: Clive White

What will be covered: A supportive peer-led critique where students set the agenda depending on the work they’re currently engaged in. All units and levels welcome.

How do I attend/sign up? Sign up via the relevant forum link for that session or email Clive directly.

What: Expressing Your Vision – A tutor-led, unit specific group

When: Times and days vary, we’re currently alternating between Tuesday evenings 7pm and Sunday mornings 11am.

With Who: Robert Bloomfield

What will be covered: Specific assignments, research tasks, reading, study skills relating to EYV

How do I attend/sign up?: Meetups are advertised in the EYV email group and via emailed invitation sent out to each student. There is no need to sign up.

What if I can’t attend? Resources from the meeting will be posted after the session. The forum thread for the group will be responded to by Robert so discussion can continue after the session.

What: Tutor led session for any unit/levels 2-3 (HE4 and HE5)

When: Monthly

With Who: Andrea Norrington

What will be covered: Learning Logs, Reflective writing and tbc… Andrea has requested feedback to help plan the content of these sessions – please see the forum link below to add your suggestions.

How do I sign up? Via the relevant forum link or email Andrea directly.

What if I can’t attend? Resources from the meeting will be posted after the session. The forum thread for the group will be responded to by Andrea so discussion can continue after the session.

What: Tutor led sessions at HE6

When: Every 2 months

With Who: Ariadne Xenou and Programme Lead

What will be covered: Research skills, presentation methods, working practice.

How do I sign up? Forum thread link, the HE6 email group or email Ariadne directly

What if I can’t attend? Resources from the meeting will be posted after the session. The forum thread for the group will be responded to by Ariadne so discussion can continue after the session.

As a pilot, the session content and delivery style is a work in progress and as such we are constantly reflecting and evaluating on what we are doing and how we could improve. If you can, please take some time to complete this short questionnaire to help us shape the future provision of group work at OCA.