FASSTEST

FASS Centre for Scholarship and Innovation logo

FASSTEST brings together colleagues from across the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, providing a mechanism for professional development through practice-based scholarship within a mentored community.

Much of our work is organised on a project basis with project management aimed at the delivery of new educational outcomes and scholarship outcomes. FASSTEST supports a rolling portfolio of approximately 40 active scholarship projects under a number of themes which include:

  • Online and blended tuition
  • Assessment
  • Employability/careers
  • Equality, diversity and inclusion
  • Mental health and wellbeing
  • Multisensory/multimodal learning

If you are interested in learning more about a particular project or connecting with a project team, please contact us at FASS-Scholarship@open.ac.uk. 

Projects

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10 results found

Teaching Critical Thinking Skills

Project leader(s):  Sue Nieland Ian McGarry Amita Sen-Gupta

In the age of digital information and high levels of technology in academic life, critical thinking skills are not just considered as an element of academic literacy; they have been interpreted in terms of the ability to use Microsoft Office and reference managing software effectively when underg

SMART Feedback: Exploring the impact of action-focused student feedback on the student experience of learning

Project leader(s):  Charlotte Lattin-Rawstrone

The proposed study intends to investigate the application of aspects of the research and framework through an intervention that builds on this framework with a specific focus on the reciprocal process and enactment of outcomes of feedback components by using SMART goals in the feedback process.

Developing Academic Integrity in Postgraduate Students

Project leader(s):  Sue Nieland Paige Cuffe

This project will explore the development of postgraduate students’ understanding and practice of academic integrity, that is of good academic conduct, focusing particularly on the module Principles of Social and Psychological Inquiry.

Improving the Collaborative TMA on DE200 and Assessing the Impact of these Improvements on AL Satisfaction

Project leader(s):  Tracey Elder

The aim of this project was to solve the issues related to TMA15, which is a collaborative TMA in DE200. This module has around 3000 students and forms one of three core modules on the psychology degree programme.

Supporting Learners with Mental Health Difficulties

Project leader(s):  Anastasia Economou

This project aspires to provide helpful insights into how tutors can best teach and support students with mental health difficulties in a distance learning context. 

Exploring Dissertation Students’ Experiences of Working with Ethical Issues when Undertaking their Dissertation Research

Project leader(s):  Jenny Lynden

Students studying for British Psychology Society (BPS) accredited degree pathways (Psychology, Forensic Psychology, Social Psychology and Psychology with Counselling) complete a final year dissertation module (DE300).  This module trains students in advanced research methods and involves th

Identifying Future Directions: Where do Final Year Psychology and Counselling Students Find Information about Postgraduate Study?

Project leader(s):  Rhiannon Edwards Mary Dobson

Research question: Where do final year Psychology and Counselling students gain information about postgraduate study? 

OU Student Views on Work Experience, Work Placements and Virtual Internships

Project leader(s):  Volker Patent Gemma Godfrey

This project aims to further understanding of the views and perceptions of students on work experience and work-placements at the Open University.

Evaluating the Inclusion of Academic Coaching within an Online-Only Postgraduate Module (DD801)

Project leader(s):  Lucy Wilde Kesi Mahendran Jitse van Ameijde

The central aim of the project is to evaluate the academic coaching provided in DD801.

An examination of social and cultural factors that may affect engagement in study activities linked to academic writing skills

Project leader(s):  Sharon Xuereb Cathy Schofield

It is vital for students to understand and uphold the principles of academic integrity throughout their studies. Although this is often a value that is promoted by higher education institutions from the outset, academic misconduct does appear to be a growing problem.