Month: April 2015

Programme Director of the Foundation Degree in Children’s Development and Learning (FD), Teresa Wilson will appear on the Anne Diamond show at 11.10 on Monday 27^th April. Under discussion will be the support offered to mature students, our convenient location for local Colleges, the different ways that the University supports the local community and many other topics. Tune in on Monday to listen to Anne and Teresa.

In March, the Institute of Educaton and the University of Reading hosted a special event to celebrate the 10^th anniversary of this degree which has transformed the lives of hundreds of people from the local community.

It provides non-traditional learners with a chance to further their chosen career without giving up work. Parents or mature students have the opportunity to ‘earn as they learn’ through weekly afternoon and evening lectures and the coursework based programme.

Over 350 people have graduated on the course. Students, who receive a 50% waiver in course fees over the two years of the award, attend the programme at one of three partner Colleges of Further Education: Berkshire College of Agriculture, Bracknell & Wokingham College and Newbury College.

On Monday 23 March University of Reading Vice-Chancellor Sir David Bell joined FD graduates, current students and staff from the University’s Institute of Education for a special event to mark the 10^th anniversary.

Programme Director Teresa Wilson has been involved with the Foundation Degree since its inception in 2005. She said: “The University is proud to have offered the FD for over 10 years. Balancing work and family life with career progression can be a tough proposition. The course offers people flexibility combined with training of the highest quality. Many graduates have become Early Years Teachers, Nursery Managers or Higher Level Teaching Assistants in local schools.

“The celebration reminded me once again of the impact of this programme. Past and present students talked of the life changing career opportunities, the increased confidence and the lasting friendships that they have made since embarking on the FD. It’s more than just a higher level qualification: it’s an opportunity to develop in so many other ways too.”

FD graduate Ashley Rodgers is currently a Family Support Worker for Barnardos Children’s Centre, and completed her FD in 2013. She said:  “I never thought I would have the opportunity to return to education, but the Foundation Degree gave me this.  It was a great sense of achievement, particularly when balancing study with work and family. It was a wonderful support system and continues to be so now.

“I now have a greater understanding of how my practice impacts those I work with – both adults and children alike. Now as I’m completing the third year of studies, I’m looking to apply for a Masters after taking another year out.”

For more information about enrolling on The Foundation Degree in Children’s Development and Learning visit the course website.

Senior academics from the Institute of Education have travelled to China to see students graduate from the University of Reading MA (English Language Education) programme at Guangdong University. Addressing the new graduates, Head of Institute Professor Andy Goodwyn urged them to make full use of their new knowledge and skills. He added that through their shared experience, they will have gained not only a piece of paper with their degree certificate, but also a depth of knowledge and friendship with teachers and students that would be a foundation stone for their future.

Professor Goodwyn has worked hard with his counterparts in China to link the two universities across the continents, resulting in the 2013 launch of the MA programme. Increasing numbers of students from many different provinces of China enrol each year and there has been great enthusiasm and commitment from all sides. This year’s graduation was a happy celebration, presided over by Dr Wang Yunfeng, Programme Director (Academic) (GDUFS).

Fostering international talent is an increasing feature of higher education. The Institute of Education has keen eyes on the global horizon and places enormous value on its strong and growing links with China. The IoE is particularly proud to have forged such a productive partnership with the esteemed Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, which is among the top three specialist foreign language institutions in China.

The University of Reading is ranked as one of the UK’s 20 most research-intensive universities and is in the top 1% (ranked 176^th in 2012) of universities in the world. The University has a particular strong tradition in applied linguistics and language education. It was on the Advisory Board for the development of Chinese College English Test (CET) Band 4 and Band 6 and has been supporting English language teaching in China over the decades. The IoE is one of the largest and leading providers of teacher education and educational research in the UK. Many of its graduates soon become leading figures in their respective schools.

The Faculty of English Language and Culture, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, is renowned both nationally and internationally for its research in linguistics and applied linguistics. It is the only nationally designated Research Centre for linguistics and applied linguistics in China. It leads South China in the research of foreign languages and cultures, overseas economy, trade and international strategies.

BA Education (Art) students took a fresh approach to exhibiting their work during the recent ‘Print as a Verb’ exhibition at the prestigious OpenHand OpenSpace in Reading, with some demonstrating their own very unique print-making techniques.

While Kim Tate showed her printing skills using her wood block designs, fellow Year 4 student Emily Crye took it further, using her own face as the printing ‘block’.

More than 20 artists displayed their individual take on the use of print at the show, which aimed to celebrate and deconstruct print in the realm of contemporary art. There were demonstrations, performances, hands-on opportunities – as well as many inky fingers – by the end of the exhibition in March.

Institute of Education student Emily Crye has been awarded Faculty Rep of the Year at the RUSU (Student Union) Partnership. Emily, a fourth year in Primary Education (Art), was nominated by her peers, with glowing recommendations such as ‘Emily is committed, approachable and full of amazing ideas’, Emily is fantastically proactive’ and ‘She never gives up, which is why she is a great Faculty Rep!’

Faculty Reps are elected students who represent their peers on academic issues in their Faculty.  They make sure students in each Faculty are being listened to and receive the best academic experience possible.

Emily says that she’s passionate about the idea of building connections and relations between the London Road and Whiteknights campuses. Her interest in becoming a Faculty Rep sprang from her desire to be involved with change first hand, she explains.

It was this desire for change that also prompted Emily to chop 18 inches off her hair last month to donate to a charity that makes wigs for children who’ve lost their hair as a result of cancer treatment. This fresh, direct attitude has strongly underpinned Emily’s success as a Rep and brought her appreciation and praise from fellow students during her nomination for the award:

‘Emily is a friendly and approachable rep’

 ‘Emily puts all of our opinion across and she has kept us up to date with the feedback and responses’

 ‘Emily played a significant role in helping establish the new social space at London Road campus’

 ‘Emily is fantastically proactive, always attending the meetings that she needs to’

 ‘She is extremely enthusiastic about giving London Road campus more of a main campus vibe’

‘Emily is committed, approachable and full of amazing ideas. She should have recognition for her hard work and dedication.’

Well done, Emily and many congratulations on your well-deserved recognition!

A small group of newly qualified Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCos) met recently at the IoE to receive their certificates of completion and thereby be eligible for recognition as qualified SENCos.

Every state funded  school is required to employ a qualified SENCo in a school leadership role. The Institute of Education at the University of Reading is one of about 25 organisations nationwide eligible to provide training for the qualification and each year about 40 people achieve the qualification here.

Recent changes to the Code of Practice have emphasised the role of SENCos as enablers of the achievement of all pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, and has recognised their role in ensuring quality first teaching for all pupils regardless of ability.