Effective Learning in

Heritage: bridging the

gap between academia

and industry(Web Version)

Carolyn Roberts

DirectorThe Centre for Active Learning in Geography, Environment and Related Disciplines (CeAL)

University of Gloucestershire, UK

‘The Guardian’ 07.02.06 ‘Iranian paper to run Holocaust

cartoons’‘Leo Sayer remix tipped as a

comeback’‘Toxic legacy poses a giant problem’‘Caravan of love strives to revive

dying hamlets’‘Goodbye, farewell and amen to the

last US Mash unit’‘Neglected rivers’

and….‘Employers fail to find enough graduates with social skills’

The Heritage Education Context

SCIENTIFICDISCIPLINES HUMANITITES

DISCIPLINES

DESIGNDISCIPLINES

Ecology

Biology

Geology

Environmental Management

Geography

CommunityDevelopment

EnvironmentalScience Local

Government

History

Leisure &Tourism

InteriorDesign

GardenDesign

LandscapeManagement

LandscapeArchitecture

HERITAGEMANAGEMENT

HERITAGEMANAGEMENT

HUMANITIES

DISCIPLINES

Sustainable Development as one common theme

• Engineering – the technical background; can it be done?• Economics – how much does it

cost?• Environment – including our natural

and cultural heritage• Equity – is it fair?

Key aspects?

• Understanding of the realms of knowledge• Cultural awareness• Specialist knowledge• An ‘action orientated’, enterprising

outlook• An appropriate range of skills• Experience of working in, with and

for organisations

‘Skills’ for heritage education

• Teamwork• Communication• Interpretation• Presentation in different formats

and styles• Public speaking• Networking• Following moving goal posts• Managing difficult bosses

A cautionary note on ‘skills’

The word ‘skills’ is widely used in official and other publications, but it has a narrow connotation that may not adequately address the needs of graduate employment

ESECT refers to ‘skilful practices in context’ in order to convey the situatedness of performance

The Centre for Active Learning (CeAL)

“Tell me and I will forget. Show me, and I may remember. Involve me, and I will understand”

Confucius 450BC

Aim

The Centre for Active Learning (CeAL) aims to be an international centre of excellence to review, develop, promote and embed inclusive and exemplary active learning for students in geography, environment and related disciplines such as landscape architecture, community development and heritage management.

The Gloucestershire Approach to Active Learning

Active learning involves learning by thinking, doing and reflecting

The distinctive feature of the University of Gloucestershire (UoG) definition of active learning is that it centres on the mastery of theory within a ‘learning by doing’ approach involving working in real places with actual people and live projects

The Gloucestershire Approach to Active Learning

Geography and environment students engage in active learning through: inquiry-based exploration in the field and classroom, field and laboratory experimentation, studio-based work using real sites, and work-based, community-related, and employer-linked activities

The Gloucestershire Approach to Active Learning

Experience... Reflect...

Generalise... Test... Experience...

The Gloucestershire Approach to Active Learning• Linking the thinking, doing and reflecting • Innovative ways of linking the theory and

practice• Embedding active learning in all teaching• Innovative blended learning• Active involvement of external agencies• Creative ways of assessing active learning• Underpinning practices by pedagogic

research • Involvement nationally and internationally • Maintaining inclusivity• Making learning enjoyable for everyone

CeAL’s Forest of Dean Induction Event

“It was interesting to learn new things and new ways of learning. I liked how we got to interact with people doing different courses”

“I feel I have more of an understanding about the methods of teaching and subject matter I will encounter”

CeAL’s Forest of Dean Induction Event

“Listening to the lecturers talk about heritage was great; they are all very passionate…”

“Going down the mine was awe inspiring”

“Travelling down the mine was a journey like no other”

CeAL’s Forest of Dean Induction Event

“I thought the canoeing was great, a really good opportunity to try something new”

“I was able to use new equipment whilst learning new facts”

CeAL’s Forest of Dean Induction Event

“It’s what I came to University for…”

….a ‘learning by doing’ approach involving working in real places with actual people and live projects…• Waterways Trust• Black Environment Network• Local Businesses• Regional Development Agency• Disability rights organisations• Kaliro Teachers’ College Uganda• Local Authorities