Assistive learning and research mentoring schemes

Abstract

The adoption of undergraduates into research teams upon entering university represents
a marked change from the prescriptive lecture-lab format that underpins current teaching
formats within the physical sciences. One such approach has been piloted at Nottingham
Trent University - though not as a replacement for traditional teaching methods but rather
to compliment and enhance the university experience for new entrant undergraduates.
The programme has aimed to foster a student centred approach to their studies within
chemistry through providing a genuine, real world context wherein they can tackle real
problems that will help to reinforce the academic content and develop transferable skills.
While the programme can be viewed as an enhanced work experience programme for
undergraduates, its principal aim is to provide a pro-active mentoring framework that will
nurture student enthusiasm for the subject. The logistics of running such a programme
are outlined and the preliminary outcomes from the initial pilot are discussed.