Learning & Teaching
Innovative learning options
At Glasgow Caledonian University we believe in exploring new and beneficial learning and teaching methods and technologies. Innovations in this area include our cyberspace campus in Second Life and an on-site virtual hospital that helps train tomorrow’s nurses and midwives.
The new Department of Academic Quality and Development within the Directorate of Learning and Student Experience will meet the evolving needs of the Schools and the University in terms of quality enhancement & assurance, academic development and educational research & evaluation. These needs will be aligned to the effective implementation of the Strategy For Learning (Sfl) and achievement of the 2020 Strategic Goals, particularly that of Transforming Lives.
The Blended Learning Team in Department of Academic Quality and Development work collaboratively with Learning Technologists in each academic school to offer strategic direction, pedagogic guidance and practical support to staff in embedding learning technology across the curriculum. Our work centres around delivering the Blended Learning Roadmap, part of the Sfl. We also engage in research and horizon scanning to identify new approaches for blended and online learning at GCU.
- Virtual Learning
The School of Health and Life Sciences are using a 3D virtual world for a number of teaching, learning and assessment projects within nursing and CyberPsychology. This includes collaborative projects with the University of Indiana and a writing project with the University of Richmond. If you want to find out more about our use of this 3D virtual learning environment visit our blog at http://caledonianblogs.net/soh-secondlife/ and feel free to contact us or leave a comment.
- Virtual Hospital
The School of Nursing, Midwifery and Community Health’s virtual hospital contains an 18-bed ward, briefing and debriefing rooms, control room, nurses’ station and intensive care suite.
- Vision Centre
The GCU Vision Centre provides clinical training facilities for our Vision Science students, whilst staff provide the public with value for money optometry services, including contact lenses and specialist clinical services.
- Real WoRLD
Our Real WoRLD initiative, which helps prepare graduates for the world of work, was recognised in the CBI’s 2008 Future Fit report into innovative approaches to graduate employability.
- Aiming University Learning @ Work Project
This ground-breaking project was launched in February 2007 and has an overall aim of creating a strategic shift in the development of employability initiatives and work-related learning within Scottish universities.
