Vikki Hill’s Post

Featured on #TheEvoLLLution this week! 📝 With adult learners forming a significant portion of the student population, it's critical that higher ed recognize and honor the experience and background they bring by communicating their skills accordingly. Check out this article by Tonya Amankwatia, PhD Link in the comments below! #highereducation #credentials

Freedom to Learn conference 5/4/24 @ King's College London Strand Campus (in partnership with UCL and Teachers Going Gradeless) Do you have something to say or share about: how to rekindle the joy of learning? how we can decentre grades and move away from current obsessions with them? how we can realise a more caring and compassionate approach to pedagogic practice? how we can challenge structures and barriers that slow or prevent innovation and change? Incredibly, we're about a fifth of our way to our registration target and registration has only been open a week! Don't miss out. And, as if that wasn't enough: Proceedings from this conference may also be featured in a forthcoming special issue of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. We will invite expressions of interest from Freedom to Learn delegates, alongside an open call for journal submissions, once the conference programme has been finalised early in 2024.   The conference is in person but with asynchronous, video submissions for those that would like to contribute but are unable to attend- these will be open to all. Details: https://lnkd.in/ejy9dC3c Register, submit a proposal, meet the student keynoters: https://lnkd.in/ePyrbnq5

As education continues to evolve, the focus on fostering holistic student competencies has become more critical than ever. Join us on Tuesday, February 13, as Maria van der Harst and other CEL (Community Engaged Learning) experts delve into the ways in which CEL education can contribute to the further development of student competencies. 🚀 Event Details: 📅 Date: February 13, 2024 🕒 Time: 12:00 📍 Location: Gasthuis Leeuwenbergh, Utrecht In an era where universities and colleges are increasingly dedicated to their social mission, shaping students into socially engaged citizens and professionals is at the forefront. CEL, along with other forms of transdisciplinary education, has gained prominence in both policy and practice. To ensure this evolution is well-informed by research, Utrecht University is hosting a special meeting where we will explore the competencies we aim for students to acquire through CEL education. 🔍 Topics of Discussion: Defining key competencies in CEL education Research-informed approaches to shaping student development Bridging the gap between theory and practice in community engagement 🤝 Why Attend? This gathering serves as a unique opportunity for the exchange of ideas between research and practice. By addressing relevant research questions and methods, we aim to formulate a joint research agenda and identify opportunities for collaboration. Let's come together to explore innovative ways to enhance student learning experiences and contribute to the broader social impact. Your insights and expertise will play a crucial role in shaping the future of CEL education. 📌 Save the Date: February 13, 2024 🔗 https://lnkd.in/ehEeFzNd We look forward to your participation in this collaborative effort to advance Community Engaged Learning and empower the next generation of socially conscious leaders. See you there! #CommunityEngagedLearning #EducationInnovation #ResearchCollaboration #UtrechtUniversity #CELDevelopment 🌍📚

Education is at a crossroads!

New Publication! One of the questions I ask in my doctoral research is: how do faculty make sense of experiential education? And, are there any nuances to this process according to academic discipline? Well, now I have some answers! Through some really interesting interviews with 47 faculty members, I distilled four lenses of sensemaking they use to 'make sense' of experiential education. These include a disciplinary lens, an institutional lens, a pedagogical lens, and a professional lens. Each lens on its own acts as an individual frame for sensemaking, and together they create a more holistic picture through bricolage. In this article I tease out the foundations of these frames, and explore how faculty use these in concert with one another. One of the most interesting findings (to me) was that faculty are often caught in the middle between their own pedagogical interests and the broader institutional need to measure and define every element of experiential learning. One of my favourite quotes from this portion of my research is: "I’m so torn, because I do really feel like there’s this two-face nature of experiential learning. This is so hard to talk about, because on the one side I feel like it’s just incorporated into how I think about pedagogy. But then the flip side, the way it’s been institutionalized, the way it’s been commodified, the way that universities have taken it up is so revolting to me." The findings of this project leave the door open for future research to examine the interplay between professional and institutional sensemaking (a task I have already taken up elsewhere: LaCroix, 2022), and the prospect for "sensemaking activities" to help remedy these institutional tensions. This was a really fun analysis to do, and I am extremely grateful to my participants for sharing their insights. You can read more through the link below (institutional log-in required). You can also read more about logic tensions and experiential learning here: https://lnkd.in/gKkHBz8t https://lnkd.in/gdyivyF5

"All components of learning systems – including curricula, teaching approaches, assessment and student support – must work together to create equitable and inclusive learning conditions." Professor Geoff Masters Join educators, school leaders, researchers, systems managers and policymakers at Research Conference 2025 to hear the latest research and explore practical strategies to drive meaningful change in their contexts. https://lnkd.in/gPRXenP https://lnkd.in/gX4jAJtf Australian Council for Educational Research #ImprovingLearning #TransformingEducation #ResearchConference2025 #LearningSystems #Education #EdResearch #EdChat

"If we can build tools that see the unseen, that capture authentic representations of learning wherever it happens, the opportunity is to help propel, elevate, and amplify millions more young people’s talents." --Timothy Knowles Jenny Anderson tackles revolution in assessment for Insights (Nord Anglia Education). Read for an in-depth look into our work with ETS https://hubs.li/Q02v5SxG0

Sharing our EdSurge article on learnings capture in our newly released paper -- A New Narrative: How Inclusive Innovation Unlocks the Power of R&D to Transform Education Digital Promise https://lnkd.in/eCdr3hmW

The House of Lords Education for 11 - 16 Year Olds Committee report is an interesting read for anyone interested in what the future for our schools education should be. The recommendations for Project Qualifications (PQs) are very welcome from Pearson. We recently canvased UK schools to explore the EPQ, which is the 17-19 years PQ. We wanted to know what students are writing about this year (I.e. the topics under which they are carrying out as a self-directed project). It's a great temperature check on the perspectives of students, and gives insight into what this age group care about most, given the complete freedom they have to choose a topic that resonates with them personally. Trends and Themes: Global and Societal Issues: - Climate change, sustainability, and environmental impact. - International relations, conflicts, and geopolitical issues. - Global health concerns, including the impact of pandemics. Health and Medicine: - Advances in medical treatments and ethical considerations. - Mental health, its portrayal in media, and societal perspectives. - Bioethical dilemmas, including stem cell research and genetic editing. Social Justice and Ethics: - Criminal justice system reform. - Ethical considerations in various fields, including technology and marketing. - Equality, discrimination, and human rights issues. Technology and Innovation: - Impact of artificial intelligence on various aspects of life. - Technological advancements in different industries. - Influence of social media on mental health and society. Cultural and Historical Analyses: - Cultural identity, traditions, and representation in modern society. - Historical events and their influence on contemporary issues. - Reflections on literature, film, and media portrayals. Science and Research: - Advancements in medical research and treatment. - Environmental science and sustainable practices. - Ethical considerations in scientific research. Economics and Business: - Economic crises and their implications. - Business ethics and practices, including marketing and pharmaceuticals. - Impacts of globalization and technology on various industries. Clear patterns for ethical considerations, social impact, global perspectives, interdisciplinary approaches and the influence of media. Summary: The essay titles reflect a keen interest among students in addressing contemporary and relevant issues. The diversity of topics showcases an interdisciplinary approach, with a focus on ethical considerations, societal impact, and the global perspective. #epq #projectbasedlearning #extendedproject #schools #curriculum #learning #selfimprovement #education #futurefocused #futurelearning https://lnkd.in/eUkHCf2M

Week in Review: August 2, 2024 🌟 This past week marked the return to work with an invigorating new faculty orientation and preparations for the upcoming school year. Let's dive into the highlights! Monday - Shaking off the holiday cobwebs and getting back into the work groove was a challenge, but the energy returned quickly. 🕺#backtowork - Welcomed new faculty at Graded - The American School of São Paulo, both local and international. It's always inspiring to be around fresh faces! 🌎 #newbies - Spent quality time orienting Carlos Pedroso, our enthusiastic new Office Manager for college counseling. 🎉 #newhire - Engaged in extensive planning and preparation for the school year. 📚 #planning Tuesday - Continued bonding with new faculty, including a delightful dinner at a local restaurant despite the winter chill. 🍽️ #bonding - I'm teaching two classes for UCLA Extension this quarter: College Counseling for International Students and the Practicum Course. Both groups are full of enthusiasm. ✨ #joyofteaching - Hosted a webinar with Jon Boeckenstedt, VP of Enrollment Management at Oregon State University, discussing the current college admissions landscape. Despite some technical hiccups, it was a fruitful session. 💻 #collegeadmissions Wednesday - A bustling day filled with classic college counselor activities, checking off countless tasks. ✅ #busy - Had an insightful meeting with Kristi Steele and David Hare about the innovative KC360 software. 💡#techtalks - Celebrated with the new faculty on campus with a lively samba group and caipirinha-making lessons! 🎶🍹 #party Thursday - Worked closely with the administration on several policy updates and developments. 🏢 #policy - Enjoyed a productive conversation with Crockett Marr on various college-counseling topics. 💬 #workchat - Delivered a well-received presentation at The College Board Summer Institute titled "Navigating AI for School Counselors." 🎤 #AI Friday - Focused on final preparations for next week's faculty professional learning sessions. 📅 - Engaged in a thought-provoking discussion with Vinit Shah about his AI-powered tutoring tool, Edficacy—an excellent resource worth exploring! 🤖 #tutoring - Troubleshot some challenging AI prompts with Logan Shearer. AI can be unpredictable at times! 🤔 #AIproblems - Concluded the week with a webinar featuring Cyndy McDonald, CEP on "The New Frontier of AI and Counseling." 🌐 #AIchat Looking forward to a relaxing weekend and a final dinner with the new faculty tonight. Here's to recharging before another exciting week! Enjoy your weekend, everyone! 🎉 Links to sessions and tools mentioned are in the comments below!