Get Ahead Report: Applied Social Science

We ran the second Get Ahead course on the 8th and 9th September. This course was intended for students within Applied Social Science. The attendance was good (35 students).

We've had lots of positive feedback from the students. The lego sessions run by Becky, Aaron and David seemed to be well received.

This post includes the materials we used (these will be added to over time), and some reflections on the sessions from our perspective.

However, to get started, what did a student take from the sessions and would they recommend it to a colleague?




With thanks to Sarah King

We encourage our Team members to reflect on the sessions they ran, or the programme. This is to encourage the benefits of reflective practice. The following is by Becky Blunk.

People say, “it’s not the size that counts,” but, in reflecting on our most recent Get Ahead programme for Applied Social Science students here at UCS, I beg to differ.  Numbers were definitely on our side as we were inundated with over 40 students from across various course areas such as Social Work, Early Childhood Studies, Criminology and other Psychology routes for our intensive (yes, it is that dramatic) 2-day programme in which we explored, together, the far sweeping availability of support within our new Learning Services team.  Of course, a large number of participants (so many, in fact, that we had to revise the schedule and include parallel sessions to best accommodate those in attendance) does not equate to providing a successful programme, however, it did provide those of us teaching an extra boost of encouragement to provide effective, meaningful sessions.

Although there is always room for improvement and opportunity to grow in teaching, one of the most positive results of this programme in particular was the way in which our team collaborated and worked together in our new roles within Learning Services.  Whether it was Sarah working with us to develop the timetable, Andy filling in to deliver the welcome and closing or David, Aaron and Jo helping me facilitate two LSP workshops, there was a great feeling that, although running a 2-day programme welcomes any number of problems, issues or confusion, the new Learning Services team was working in just that way- as a team.  And it is because of the way everyone involved seemed to be ready to assist other team members throughout the programme, that our potential for success in the future has been further unveiled to students and the rest of the UCS community.   

 Workshop Evaluation Posters (in groups of 4 or 5 people)

1. What three things have you taken from the course?
2. Which two things will you take forward into your learning?

Selection of Session Materials

Supporting Maths: Data Analysis (1.32 mins to 12.00 mins)




Maths Support: Applied Social Science