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This project was commissioned by the Forum in response to separate funding made available by the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) for bridging activities across Scotland. The project follows on from the work of the national mapping, tracking and bridging project and from specific desk based research into bridging arrangements for computing and engineering. The SFC asked the Forum to focus on these two subject areas.
The project, which started in March 2006, aimed to identify barriers to transition between HNC/D and degree level studies in computing and engineering, to identify solutions to those barriers and, crucially, to develop tools to remove or reduce those barriers.
The initial phase of research was completed within the expected timescale and the team moved onto the identification and implementation of measures to tackle the barriers that have been identified by staff and students. The team also participated in the programme of dissemination of findings that was organised nationally. This was an important part of their work because the Forum undertook the work in computing and engineering on behalf of all institutions in Scotland.
Further work on this project was undertaken in 2007/08 to pilot and evaluate the use of material to support students in their transitions: for example, to develop students’ skills in report writing and making presentations. The North Forum created material to aid bridging in the subject areas of computing and engineering; other Forums carried out work in other subject areas, particularly in business and related areas. The materials, which are aimed at students in the various subject areas, and cover topics such as report writing and presentation skills, are available to download at http://www.swarf.ac.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1306&Itemid=44
Area covered: the whole Forum area
Caitriona Maciver, North Forum Manager
Castle House, Fairways Business Park, Castle Heather, Inverness, IV2 6AA
Tel: 01463 701010 email: c.maciver@abdn.ac.uk
