The sports development programme this year has been focusing on supporting some specific events across the University. This in part was intended to support existing programmes but also to allow students to develop their understanding of partnership and collaboration in delivering services. The biggest partnership event in 2011/2012 was the annual Varsity event between Swansea Metropolitan University and Trinity St David. The event was hosted this year by SMU and as a multi sport event exposed students to the pressures and logistics of organising teams and up to 200 spectators.
Matches included netball, football, rugby and hockey. The LSM students were tasked with sourcing appropriate venues, volunteers, supporting a pre Varsity presentation evening (Dragon Hotel), promotion of tickets and working in the day as event stewards. Other students were tasked with adding value to the event by developing new ideas or services. The process of being part of a larger events team for many was very engaging and most fully committed to the task. The process offered a longer term project and for some their commitment waned. It is clear that students are still over reliant even at the end of their University careers on the lecturer for directing their work. Confidence in their abilities to speak to other professionals was a problem for many which stalled some good ideas ( e.g, 'I phoned a week ago but no one has got back to me'). Fundamental networking, customer service and communication skills need to be developed further within the students and in my own reflection on the programme these skills should be introduced and practiced very early on - including developing them on modules throughout the degree programme.
These soft skills are not being developed through traditional teaching methods and in many cases were severely under developed. If we are to develop fit for purpose professionals then engineering situations that increase confidence(self efficacy) and professional competencies inline with kowledge should be built into every learning programme - This is an area I aim to improve across my delivery moving forward.
Matches included netball, football, rugby and hockey. The LSM students were tasked with sourcing appropriate venues, volunteers, supporting a pre Varsity presentation evening (Dragon Hotel), promotion of tickets and working in the day as event stewards. Other students were tasked with adding value to the event by developing new ideas or services. The process of being part of a larger events team for many was very engaging and most fully committed to the task. The process offered a longer term project and for some their commitment waned. It is clear that students are still over reliant even at the end of their University careers on the lecturer for directing their work. Confidence in their abilities to speak to other professionals was a problem for many which stalled some good ideas ( e.g, 'I phoned a week ago but no one has got back to me'). Fundamental networking, customer service and communication skills need to be developed further within the students and in my own reflection on the programme these skills should be introduced and practiced very early on - including developing them on modules throughout the degree programme.
These soft skills are not being developed through traditional teaching methods and in many cases were severely under developed. If we are to develop fit for purpose professionals then engineering situations that increase confidence(self efficacy) and professional competencies inline with kowledge should be built into every learning programme - This is an area I aim to improve across my delivery moving forward.
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