Experiments in democratic participation: feminist printshop collectives

This article examines the output and practices of two London-based feminist printing collectives that operated between the 1970s to the early 1990s and for whom the principles of democratic participation and access were central. Their activities are discussed in relation to specific, changing and sometimes challenging politic-cultural contexts in which they existed

A critical appraisal and development of assessment strategy

Factors effecting student motivation are important and must be considered if the performance of future student cohorts is to be improved. Theories regarding the interaction of ‘expectancy and value’ have been set out. Because the relationship is multiplicative it is necessary to ensure that both ‘expectancy and value’ are present within the psyche of each and every student for each and every task assigned. This work critically appraises the delivery of a level 5 module over two successive academic years and demonstrates the application of ‘expectancy-value’ theory in module improvement. A formative course work was modified to align the outcomes with the summative coursework which resulted in significantly improved student motivation due to the addition of previously lacking ‘value’. Ideas are presented for the final summative coursework which could also bring significant benefits. However, these have not yet been adopted due to the real difficulties associated with group working. Both ‘value’ and ‘expectancy’ were initially lacking from different course works and were resulting in reduced student motivation

Pool

Poem from forthcoming poetry collection which examines a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. Published in The Stinging Fly, 37: 2, Winter 2017/18, p. 53

Integration Of Performance Materials Into The Clothing Curriculum

Traditionally modules within Higher Education are taught as discrete subjects. This has advantages since it enables students to develop knowledge and skills specific to each individual elements of the subject discipline. The expectation is that students will integrate and make sense of all the discrete elements. Whilst this is the ideal scenario, in practice often the first opportunity to integrate the various elements with a project occurs at final year. The purpose of the model presented was to integrate sections of the curriculum previously taught as separate entities into a single element at second year, using a blended learning approach to combine theory and practice. Thus, providing the opportunity for student to synthesize the knowledge obtained in various elements of their studies and develop an understanding of emerging/new technologies much earlier within their studies. The model differs from others: firstly by utilising fully integrated team teaching, engaging a diverse range of subject experts to enable network beyond the programme team, reinforcing research informed teaching and the teaching/learning nexus. Secondly active learning was employed as a means of challenging the learner, thus developing life/subject skills through establishing systematic connections of the different elements of their learning. Finally, through peer-support and networking, knowledge was exchanged (knowledge transfer) between students as they progressed through the development stages. This paper presents a successful model of blended learning which integrates research, technology, design and practical skills underpinned by the advanced study of textiles which is essential to any clothing curriculum

Safety first: safeguards for writing for wellbeing

This feature article considers the sharp rise in 'writing for wellbeing' workshops around the UK, held in academic institutions, community centres and literary organisations, and also employed increasingly by counsellors and clinicians. The article considers the provenance of creative writing for mental health and analysis the benefits and potential negative impacts of writing for well-being, with a call to establishing a regulatory body to impose safeguarding measures

Editorial

Archives are sites of exploration and discovery for all kinds of practices. They are also reinforced structures. Whether as a library of manuscripts, museum store or personal collection, the ‘archive-as-repository’ catalogues and categorizes, houses and buries, its items. Bringing the contents of an archive to life requires that one ignite what is dormant so as to draw archival materials out into the space of the world to be received and experienced in new ways. Designed to stimulate collaborative conversations and exchanges, in and around the archive, with a view to presenting new approaches to archival experiences, and with them, styles of writing that resonate with the ‘archival’ as a concept and as a practice, this guest-edited issue expands the field of the archive to incorporate a variety of different practitioner perspectives. Whether through animation, art education, contemporary art, costume, creative writing, information retrieval studies, performance, sculpture, sound and textiles, re-writing the archive from these positions can inform how historical and material remnants of the past may be re-thought in creative practice