Campus News
Helping and homeschooling children in the time of the pandemic
March 23rd, 2020
With the unprecedented nationwide closure of schools in response to the current Coronavirus Crisis, hundreds of thousands of children will be forced to learn from home.
Here, Professor Nicola Pitchford and Anthea Gulliford from the School of Psychology highlight some of the things to bear in mind when helping children at home in this challenging time, and offer guidance on some resources that can support children’s learning.
Learning and wellbeing at home
Children of all ages are likely to feel uncertainty or anxiety at some stage, in different ways, through being away from school and through the changes to their social and educational environment.
This guidance from the British Psychological Society aims to offer some support, with a further link to guidance for schools and families from the Society’s Division of Educational and Child Psychology. In particular, a link from that division provides advice on approaches to talking to your child about the Coronavirus.
Schools and educational websites are offering plentiful guidance on curricula and activities (see below). One way to support children’s learning whilst they are at home is through accessing high-quality online educational apps.
Educational apps
Many classrooms in the UK use touch-screen tablets and educational apps to support and engage children in the learning process.
What makes an educational app high-quality?
Our research has identified several features of educational apps that are associated with raising learning outcomes. When choosing educational apps, we recommend looking for apps that:
- follow a well-structured and staged curriculum
- teach basic skills step-by-step without skipping over content
- teach content in different ways through game-like activities
- actively engage children through playful learning
- provide immediate feedback (positive and negative) and motivating rewards
- draw on multisensory processing, enabling children to interact through the visual, auditory and kinaesthetic domains
- allow children to progress at their own pace
- enable children to repeat information as often as they need
- demonstrate ‘how to’ then allow children to ‘practice’ after which they are ‘tested’ on their knowledge
- assess what has been learned before enabling children to progress to high-levels of skill activities
- are scientifically shown to improve learning outcomes.
Links to resources
Here are some links to online resources that can be accessed to support home learning.
Department for Education
- Parental guidance on choosing apps for the home learning environment
- Suggestions for activities suitable for 0-5 years of age
UNESCO
A list of educational apps and platforms to help parents as well as teachers, schools and school systems facilitate children’s learning and provide social caring and interaction during periods of school closure. While these solutions do not carry UNESCO’s explicit endorsement, they tend to have wide reach, a strong user-base and evidence of impact. Most of the solutions are free and several support multiple languages.
Times Education Supplement
Published article by Julien Grenier that provides information on how to support children in EYFS during the COVID-19 school closures. The section on ‘Assisting in home-schooling’ provides some useful links for parents.
Enabling Environments
Our teaching partner at Burton Joyce Primary School – Marc Faulder (Early Years Specialist and Apple Distinguished Educator) has lots of suggestions for how technology can be used to support children’s learning, especially in the early years, during the school closures.
Tags: child care, education, home schooling, learning at home, resources, wellbeing, wellbeing at home
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Academic-Industry Engagement Awards 2020: applications open
March 13th, 2020
Applications are now open for the 2020 Medical Research Council-funded Academic-Industry Engagement Award.
The University administers the awards, which are designed to support early academic-industry engagement activities and people exchanges that are not specifically aligned with a larger translational project aim.
These activities were previously supported through the Proximity to Discovery: Industry Engagement Fund, awarded by the Medical and Research Council.
Any member of the University with prospective projects which are suitable for early-stage academic-industrial engagement with a view to supporting translation of research can apply.
This could include academic staff, post-doctoral researchers and possibly even PHD students in the healthcare space.
To apply, please visit the University’s Academic-Industry Engagement Awards Workspace pages [University log-in required].
The deadline for applications is Friday 24 April at 4pm.
Tags: Academic industry engagement awards, engagement activities, Medical Research Council, UK Medical Research Council
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Horticultural workshop with Matt Gyles: pruning
March 13th, 2020
Learn how to prune and why we undertake this task with a hands-on guide in a practical workshop.
You’ll be led around University Park in a variety of locations where interactive demonstrations will take place for everyone to participate in. You’ll be given a step-by-step guide on how to get the most out of your plants. Safety gloves will be required for this activity and a good sharp pair of secateurs.
The fee is £4 per person, and booking is required. To book, please email the Friends of University Park.
Saturday 28 March, 10am-12noon
Tags: FOUP, Friends of University Park, gardening, Horticultural workshop, pruning
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No Place for Hate
March 12th, 2020
The University of Nottingham and the Students’ Union’s No Place for Hate campaign kicks off on Monday 16 March and will run until Friday 27 March.
The campaign will be a chance for us to celebrate all aspects of equality and diversity on our campuses and to explore how we can make them more welcoming, inclusive spaces. We’ll be sharing resources and support services, as well as hosting Q&As about different aspects of EDI on our social channels. You can find out more on the No Place for Hate webpage.
This will be an opportunity for staff and students to ask questions they’ve previously not felt comfortable enough to ask. No-one is an expert on everything, and there is no shame in not knowing – providing we’re willing to learn and change our behaviours accordingly.
While it may seem obvious to some what (for example) a hate crime or microaggression looks like, to others it’s not so obvious how these manifest themselves. What do they look like, what are some common examples we might encounter on campus, and how do we respond to these? How do we draw the line between ‘banter’ and harassment?
We will be running a series of Q&As on Instagram. If you have a question, you can ask it anonymously.
Staff are encouraged to share No Place for Hate content and resources in meetings and seminars.
Tags: diversity, edi, equality, Equality Diversity and Inclusion, Harassment, hate crime, inclusivity, No Place For Hate
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Vote now: Have your say on the final name for Teaching and Learning Building
March 9th, 2020
Nottingham’s first female professor, a globally renowned scholar poet and a champion of women’s education are set to be honoured in one of the University’s newest buildings – but you can decide how.
Monica Partridge, Meena Alexander and Helena Brownsword Dowson were among the list of more than 100 suggestions of inspirational women when we announced plans to rename the Teaching and Learning Building.
As part of celebrations for this year’s International Women’s Day we are now asking you to help make the final decision by voting in our poll.
The Teaching and Learning Building will be named for the woman with the most votes and rooms within the building will be dedicated to the two runners up.
Professor Sarah Sharples, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, explained: “We were overwhelmed with the response to our call and to have so many inspirational names to choose from. It is clear that from the very beginnings of the University a huge number of women have been influential and pioneering figures, shaping the institution we know today.
“Monica Partridge, Meena Alexander and Helena Brownsword Dowson made an impact in very different ways but all contributed to teaching and learning. I encourage everyone to read more about their achievements below and vote on who they would like to see the building named for.”
The long list of names will now be put forward for future building names on campus as part of the University’s commitment to equality and diversity in its estate.
Meena Alexander
Meena Alexander (1951-2018) was a multi award-winning poet and scholar. Born in India, she moved to Sudan with her family, and then to England where she began a PhD in Romantic Literature at the University of Nottingham. She completed her PhD aged 22 with a dissertation that she would later develop and publish as ‘The Poetic Self’. After her studies, Meena taught at universities in India and the United States. She became a globally-renowned writer and gained many awards for her published works, which included a number of essays, eight books of poetry and two novels.
Helena Brownsword Dowson
Helena Brownsword Dowson (1866-1964) was an early 20th century educationalist, member of the Council of University College Nottingham and champion of women’s education who dedicated her life to fighting for girls to have the same educational and employment opportunities as boys.
In 1896 Helena became Secretary of the Nottingham Women’s Suffrage Society. She was also a member of the national Executive Committee, and was one of the first two women in Nottingham to become magistrates – serving in this role from 1920 to 1950. She was also the first woman to become a Nottingham City Councillor, elected in 1920 to represent The Meadows.
Monica Partridge
Monica Partridge (1915-2008) was the University of Nottingham’s first woman professor and a leader in Slavonic and European studies.
Professor Partridge read French at University College, Nottingham, before becoming interested in Russian during World War II. She joined Nottingham University College’s Department of Slavonic Languages as a tutorial assistant in 1947 and became an Assistant Lecturer in 1967. She established close links with universities in Slovenia and Croatia, paving the way for Nottingham students to study in Ljubljana and Zagreb.
She retired in 1980 and was made an Emeritus Professor of The University of Nottingham. In the same year her achievements were recognised internationally, with the Order of the Yugoslav Flag with a Gold Star for her promotion of Yugoslav studies in Britain. Monica died in 2008, leaving a generous legacy to the department in her will. The Partridge Bequest Fund continues to support students and staff in activities that enable contact with Russia and the Slavonic world.
Vote now using this link.
Tags: have your say, International Women's Day 2020, IWD, Teaching and Learning Building
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PHDs cement international collaboration
March 6th, 2020
Six new PhDs announced by the University of Adelaide strengthen the long-term collaboration with the University of Nottingham, UK.
Under the program researchers wishing to pursue their passion in the area of sustainable agri-food systems for global nutrition will start their work at the University of Adelaide before heading to the University of Nottingham’s campuses in the UK, Malaysia or China.
The two universities have worked closely together since the 1950s on many of the world’s most pressing challenges such as food security, climate change and health and medicine.
In its strategic plan Future Making, the University of Adelaide has identified food security as one of its grand challenges.
“Students will have access to the research strengths of two globally leading research-intensive universities, the University of Adelaide and the University of Nottingham,” says the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Adelaide Professor Peter Rathjen.
“The University of Adelaide, as a truly globalised institution, has the unique potential in South Australia to connect this state to the world and the world to South Australia.”
Both institutions are recognised as being one of the most research-intensive universities in their respective countries: the University of Adelaide is a member of the Group of Eight (Go8) and the University of Nottingham is a founding member of the prestigious Russell Group.
Complementary research profiles are reflected in collaborations in a number of globally important areas.
In particular, both universities boast internationally recognised capabilities in agricultural, environmental, plant, animal, food and nutrition sciences, with the University of Adelaide’s Waite Campus being a major collaborating partner of the University of Nottingham’s School of Biosciences .
The program is directed by Professor Ian Fisk, Director of Research for the School of Biosciences at the University of Nottingham in collaboration with Professor Anton Middelberg, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) and Professor Mike Liebelt, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research Operations) and Dean of Graduate Studies from the University of Adelaide.
The new PhDs have been announced at the University of Adelaide, during a visit by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nottingham, Professor Shearer West.
“This program offers students a fantastic opportunity to fast-track their international career,” says Professor West.
“By joining the program, they will gain an international outlook and build a diverse network of contacts which is essential in today’s globalised job market.”
In addition to the six new PhDs announced, there are currently 20 PhD students on the four-year program, who each spend 12-36 months researching at each university.
Researchers may undertake the new PhDs in a number of different areas: future foods and food production systems; food science and nutrition; food process engineering, agri-tech and biotransformation; livestock productivity, health and welfare; novel food platforms such as space agriculture and astrofood; novel protein sources and global markets, future consumers and food systems and food policy.
If you would like to broaden your research career with a national or international joint PHD, you can find out more here.
The unique collaboration between the two universities has also resulted in a Doctoral Training Award from the UK’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council to the University of Nottingham, in which students from the UK are pursuing research into the novel fields of astrofood, astropharmacy and astromedicine at the University of Adelaide.
Tags: international collaboration, University of Adelaide
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UoN subjects feature in world top 50
March 5th, 2020
Three University of Nottingham courses have been ranked within the top 50 in the world, according to the QS World University Rankings by Subject.
The QS World University Rankings by Subject table allows you to compare University of Nottingham subjects to their equivalents at other universities around the world, providing a subject ranking.
Not only were the following three subjects ranked within the top 50 worldwide, they also ranked within the top 10 in the UK:
- Pharmacy & Pharmacology (seventh in the world, fourth in the UK)
- Nursing (28th in the world, fifth in the UK)
- Veterinary Science (36th in the world, seventh in the UK)
The rankings feature 1,368 institutions and are based on academic reputation, employer reputation, citations per research publication paper, and an index that scrutinises productivity, and the impact of work published.
Tags: nursing, Pharmacology, Pharmacy, QS World University Rankings, QS World University Rankings by Subject, Veterinary Science
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EndNote users: Action required
March 5th, 2020
If you are an EndNote user, your EndNote Desktop Library needs to be updated, and the IS team has some simple guidance to help.
Work to make your personal Z:drive “read only” is now well underway and is scheduled to be completed by Wednesday 18 March. Staff and students are migrating their data onto OneDrive and are benefiting from the improved space, collaboration and security features.
If you are a current user of EndNote Desktop it is likely your library is stored on your Z: drive.
From now you will need to sync your EndNote Desktop Library with EndNote Online and to ensure a smooth transition, the IS team has created a simple guide to show you exactly what to do.
You will have three options and the one you choose will depend on if, and how, you currently use EndNote.
Options:
• Existing Users
Create an EndNote Online account from an existing Desktop Library and sync
• New users
Create a new EndNote Desktop Library and sync with EndNote Online
• Personal Device user
Download EndNote to a personally owned computer and sync with EndNote Online
Colleagues in Libraries said: “This is a great opportunity for the EndNote community to start storing their library of references online, a secure and accessible from anywhere resource that we are keen to promote.
“The team are on hand to support you using both EndNote Desktop and EndNote Online and we would encourage you to visit our Managing references guidance on Studying Effectively.”
For wider data migration, specialists are set to support staff and students. If you think you may need assistance in migrating data to OneDrive or migrating your EndNote library please contact your local Campus IT.
To start your personal data move now, more information can be found on the Storage Solutions SharePoint.
Tags: data migration, EndNote, EndNote Desktop, EndNote Online, IS, IS team, migration
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Special offers for March from the Employee Hub
March 4th, 2020
Every month, the Staff Discounts section of our Employee Hub is brimming with offers and discounts for staff to take advantage of.
Here are some top picks for March:
Debenhams
Shop the new season trends at Debenhams and save 9% when you load a reloadable card or buy an instant eVoucher.
Tesco
Save 4% on your grocery shop at Tesco when you load a reloadable card or buy an instant eVoucher.
Appleyard Flowers
Send a beautiful bouquet from Appleyard Flowers and save 27% when you order between Friday 6th – Friday 13th March with our promo code.
Gigsberg
Purchase tickets to the biggest live events in sports, music, theatre and festivals and get £10 off every purchase when you use our promo code at the checkout.
Spafinder
Enjoy a relaxing spa day and save yourself 15% when you purchase an instant Spafinder eVoucher. Or why not treat Mum for Mother’s Day?
Find more special offers for March by logging into your account in the Employee Hub and heading to the Staff Discounts section at the top of the page.
Tags: Employee Hub, eVouchers, Nottingham Reward Scheme, NRS, staff discounts
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Exhibition blazes a trail across campuses
March 3rd, 2020
An exhibition of remarkable women has made its way across Nottingham and is about to make its home on University Park.
The Trailblazing Women exhibition was created as part of last year’s International Women’s Day celebrations and features pioneering women, both past and present, with a connection to Nottingham.
It includes information on Monica Partridge, the University’s first female Professor, Florence Boot, the founder of the first female hall of residence at University Park and world renowned artist Dame Laura Knight among others.
Since featuring at an event with Nottingham Trent University the exhibition has travelled to 14 different locations across the University drawing interest from staff, students and visitors.
It will now take up residency at the Teaching and Learning Building at University Park along with the portraits from the Press for Progress portrait exhibition launched at 2018 celebrations for International Women’s Day.
Professor Sarah Sharples, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, said: “I’m really pleased that so many people have had the opportunity to learn about these incredible women and I hope that will only continue in its permanent home.
“Such an impressive touring schedule, from Derby Medical School to Jubilee Conference Centre and almost everywhere in between, is thanks to so many people welcoming the opportunity to host it at their place of work and to Julie Thomas and Sian Masson who have managed the logistics so brilliantly.”
You can see the lineup for the exhibition below:
Tags: International Women's Day, International Women's Day 2020, IWD, IWD 2020, Trailblazing women
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