Practitioner Solutions to Student Engagement during the Pandemic

Cochrane, Ruth

Practitioner Solutions to Student Engagement during the Pandemic

Cochrane, Ruth

Authors

Ruth Cochrane

Abstract

INTER: a platform for interdisciplinary student teams to respond to a theme proposed by commercial sponsor. In 2021, Scotia Gas Networks challenged students to reimagine legacy fossil fuel sites for social good, considering the of reuse of vacant land considering climate change prevention, adaption, biodiversity and community engagement. INTER provides a container for existing credit bearing modules such as work based learning, group work and live projects from across the University from SCQF level 7 to 11 accruing between 20 and 60 credits. Students are assessed by their own module leaders based on agreed deliverables aligned to existing LOs. (e.g. portfolio, reflective blog, peer assessment)

In response to COVID, SGN staff, ENU academics and support staff contributed online lectures, tutorials, and workshops, to support interdisciplinary student teams to research, innovate and communicate their response to the challenge. The programme was predominantly self-directed with student groups using a variety of digital tools to organise and manage their projects. Underpinned by design thinking methodology, INTER encourages the development of employability skills; project management, interdisciplinary working, critical thinking and creative problem solving.

In return for contribution of sponsorship and expertise, SGN received creative proposals which have significantly impacted their future land development strategy.