Abstract:

This paper will explore the principles, design strategy and challenges faced by the Outreach Team (OT) of the Schools Colleges and Community Outreach department (SCCO) at Nottingham Trent University (NTU), in designing a pedagogically informed ‘new’ technologically enhanced and flipped approach to widening participation (WP) outreach.

In line with the organisational strategic vision of creating the university of the future, and within the context of local progression rates and educational outcomes of students falling significantly below the national average, SCCO and NTU recognised that the ‘traditional’ methods of WP outreach - universities as custodians of knowledge – was not the most effective way in which to allow participants to develop their skills for success in preparation for entering a HE environment.

We will discuss our research-based approach to designing a sequential programme of classroom interventions from primary school interventions through to university entry, highlighting the additional provision we put in place for the WP cohort, hard to reach or vulnerable groups. We will analyse the design principles of the characteristics that the programme aims to build and strengthen in our participants, such as resilience, confidence and a growth mind-set, along with the opportunities presented within the programme to apply these to their own learning. The design strategy and process of integrating technology into our provision will also be evaluated, outlining the challenges we faced and how they were overcome.

We will conclude with an evaluation of our progress towards delivering this teaching and learning innovation to date.

Keywords:

Outreach, pedagogy, technology, flipped, widening participation, skills development, higher eduaction.