Vision can reveal that a number of departments at the University of York are looking to increase the level of contact time between students and academics.
This particularly refers to departments such as History, English and Education, who in the past have received criticism for their lack of contact hours. Indeed, a study conducted by The Daily Mail indicated that history students at the University spend less than 8% of their academic career in lectures or seminars. The study revealed that history students at York were provided with less than 100 hours contact time per year, in comparison to other institutions such as Northampton, where students studying the same degree receive 372 hours of teaching time.
In response to the issue, the University is now attempting to increase the number of contact hours that students will receive, an issue that has become more prominent over the past years due to the increase in tuition fees. University Registrar David Duncan told Vision: “The approaches being taken by departments vary – some involve more lectures and tutorials, while others are considering more one-to-one contact to give students better feedback on formative assessments.”
Particular emphasis is being placed upon devising a timetable which is stimulating through the use of different types of contact time. On the matter John Robinson, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning, added: “We want to ensure that the amount of contact time is considered alongside the types of contact (lectures, seminars, labs, tutorial, …) ensuring that full-time student learning is supported and propelled by the most appropriate and highest-quality academic/student interactions at the right times.”
Second year History student Adam Highland was sceptical on the matter however, and told Vision: “I think the quality of the student hours is more important than the quantity. Office hours are only 2 hours a week and this is often not enough at busy times like essay weeks or when we were picking our dissertation supervisors. These ‘off-timetable’ hours could certainly increase.”
University teaching committees are currently being used to develop strategy and policy in this area, as the University seek out the best way to improve the academic experience for students. In addition, some departments (for example English, History of Art and Education) are teaming up with the Careers Service to develop employability-related programmes which are offered in the summer term.
Last year the University ran a Summer Term Challenge, a scheme which allowed student volunteers to illustrate their commitment to the local community, while receiving valuable work experience to enhance their future career prospects. Dr Kate Harper, Acting Manager of the University’s Community and Volunteering Unit, remarked: “The University has fantastic students who have a lot to offer the city and community. This ambitious project is about helping students to develop their skills, enhance their employability and gain valuable experience in the sectors that are of particular interest to them, most notably the heritage and cultural industries and the education sector.”