The 2009/10 Academic Session has been a busy period for the Moving Forward Team.  Our June update has more information on some of the activities we have been involved in.

In February 2010 the Moving Forward Initiative was delighted to be able to offer small sums of money to Academic Schools, Learner Support, the Students’ Association and the MF mini CoPs in the form of Moving Forward Development Funding Awards.  The response to this has been very positive and we are delighted to say that 10 projects will be funded as a result.  The projects include:

• School of Health: Blogging placement – the development of reusable learning objects for transition and induction to the placement environment
• School of Engineering and Computing:  Supporting Adult Learners make the transition to HE and The Application of Science and Reporting
• School of Law and Social Sciences:  www.youemploy.me (this is not live at present):  Employability E-Forum for LSS
• School of Life Sciences:  Induction Microsite
• Caledonian Business School: Supporting Progression in a Connected Digital Age
• Learner Support:  Building resources for integrated induction
• Students’ Association:  Effective Service Provision for Part time Students
• Student Empowerment Mini CoP:  GCU Culture:  bringing together the students at GCU
• Preparation and Induction Mini CoP:  Pre-induction Resource Hub

We have recently attended and presented, with Sara Milne (VP Students’ association) at the European First Year Experience Conference in Antwerp, Belgium 26th -28th May.  This was followed by a presentation at the School of Health,  – ‘Hitting the Ground Running’  Health Symposium on the 4th June.  Our presentations can be found here.

As a result of having to reschedule our latest mini CoP meetings, we are now hosting a lunch time event on Thursday 10th June in CPD01 for mini CoP members.  This will allow for an opportunity to reflect upon the past year of the mini CoPs and to look forward to ways in which we can explore ways of taking things forward in the next academic session.

Due to current work schedules, it has been necessary to reschedule the May Mini CoP meetings, which are noted in the post below. 

We will contact members shortly in relation to the revised dates for the meetings.

Several dates have been identified for the next round of Mini CoP meetings.  Further information relating to themes and venues, will be issued nearer the time.

At the recent round of  Mini CoP meetings, Moving Forward introduced the Moving Forward Development Funding Awards for discussion.  Each group was asked to discuss possible collaborative projects together, relating to the specific Mini CoP, which could be developed further into projects which would align with the Moving Forward Aims and Objectives.

The closing date for submissions will be Friday the 19th March 2010.

Please find below the next scheduled dates for the 5th Round of the Mini CoPs. The themes are currently being arranged/finalised and further information will be sent to the group over the coming weeks.

1. LTA&F – 24/02/10 at 10am
2. Prep and Induction – 25/02/10 at 10am
3. Peer Support and Mentoring – 25/02/10 at 2pm
4. Liaison with Schools and colleges – 01/03/10 at 2pm
5. M&C – 24/02/10 at 2pm
6. Student Empowerment – 22/02/10 at 10am

Ian Butchart from the Scottish Government gave an interesting talk on Curriculum for Excellence at the joint LTA&F and Liaison with Schools and Colleges Mini CoP meeting.  Ian’s presentation can be found on the following link: Curriculum for Excellence. 

Joanna Marshall provided an overview of Routes for All and further information can be found on the Routes for All link.

Please find below the next set of scheduled dates and themes for the Moving Forward Mini CoPs.  We do hope you will be able to attend.