{"id":1795,"date":"2021-05-25T09:00:42","date_gmt":"2021-05-25T08:00:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.manchester.ac.uk\/itl\/?p=1795"},"modified":"2026-04-01T16:02:16","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T15:02:16","slug":"partnering-with-a-student-intern-an-academic-viewpoint","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.manchester.ac.uk\/itl\/2021\/05\/25\/partnering-with-a-student-intern-an-academic-viewpoint\/","title":{"rendered":"Working with Student Partners: An academic viewpoint"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” fullwidth=”on” next_background_color=”#000000″ global_module=”322″][et_pb_fullwidth_menu global_parent=”322″ _builder_version=”3.0.106″ menu_id=”7″ submenu_direction=”downwards” fullwidth_menu=”off” background_layout=”dark” module_class=”main-navigation” \/][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”off” specialty=”on” prev_background_color=”#000000″ next_background_color=”#1d1d1d”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ specialty_columns=”2″][et_pb_row_inner locked=”off”][et_pb_column_inner type=”4_4″ saved_specialty_column_type=”2_3″][et_pb_post_title _builder_version=”3.17.6″ featured_placement=”above” locked=”on” parent_locked=”off” featured_image=”off” comments=”off” \/][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.17.6″ background_layout=”light” parent_locked=”off”]<\/p>\n

\"LindseyLindsey Jones<\/b><\/a>\u00a0SFHEA is\u00a0a\u00a0Lecturer in Deaf Education within the School of Health Sciences. In this post she reflects on\u00a0the benefits\u00a0of working with two\u00a0<\/b>Student Partner Interns<\/b><\/a>\u00a0to effect manageable changes to her teaching practice\u00a0while balancing a busy workload, and\u00a0how it is hoped these\u00a0changes\u00a0will\u00a0benefit\u00a0students on this specialist professional course.<\/b>\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

When the opportunity arose to work with some Student Partner Interns to develop our online learning, we jumped at the chance to have fresh eyes look at our programme. I met Emma Smith and Poppy Eastwood over Zoom (as is the way now) and found them sharp and enthusiastic to work with me to improve our student experience. The changes that I will make to my\u00a0online\u00a0modules because of the collaboration with Emma and Poppy are small and manageable,\u00a0but I\u2019m optimistic that they will have a positive impact on my students\u2019 learning as well as improving my teaching both online and on campus.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Deaf Education programme at Manchester has been running for over 100 years. We are leaders in the field,\u00a0offering\u00a0the\u00a0PGDip in Deaf Education<\/a>, a Department of\u00a0Education\u00a0requirement for qualified teachers\u00a0to work as Teachers of the Deaf.\u00a0Our\u00a0students can study with us full-time on campus,\u00a0or part-time either on campus or as\u00a0a distance\u00a0learner.\u00a0We\u2019re a small team (2 members of staff) but\u00a0we\u00a0work hard to ensure our students have a positive learning experience\u00a0with us.\u00a0Students on our\u00a0online\u00a0programme are as far flung as Cyprus,\u00a0and within the UK we have students in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Wales and,\u00a0in England,\u00a0as far\u00a0south as Cornwall and as far\u00a0north as Northumberland.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

As a highly experienced teacher I\u2019m constantly seeking for new ways to improve my practice,\u00a0but as a relatively new academic I sometimes despair at my never-ending to do list and worry that I\u2019m so busy doing, that I\u2019m not dedicating enough time to reflecting. So, I can understand that you may read this and think that working with interns seems like a good idea, but you simply don\u2019t have the time to talk through these things with a couple of students; it\u2019s probably easier if you take a quick look at your modules yourself. Yes, maybe, but\u00a0I would argue that the three\u00a0hours or so that I spent with the interns have certainly\u00a0saved me time at a basic level \u2013\u00a0I\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0now\u00a0have to go through my module checking links\u00a0are working and up to date\u00a0etc\u00a0\u2013\u00a0but\u00a0on a more time-intensive level I now don\u2019t have to spend tens of hours sourcing interactive software that\u2019s compatible with Blackboard:\u00a0the interns have researched and evaluated this for me \u2013 great!\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

However, the time gained that I value most is that which the students\u00a0on our programme\u00a0will gain \u2013\u00a0as a result of my collaboration with Emma and Poppy\u00a0my module will be better set out\u00a0and\u00a0navigating my module will be more intuitive for students,\u00a0thus reducing\u00a0the time they need to spend\u00a0clicking through content. The purpose and relevance of my tasks will be clearer and will stand out from the main content,\u00a0allowing students to better plan what they need to do,\u00a0strengthening\u00a0their time management\u00a0skills\u00a0and hopefully\u00a0supporting\u00a0their own work\/life balance.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

The only disappointing thing about my project was that it came to an end (although I’ve already signed up for more) and I have recommended the project to my colleagues in the Division. If anyone wants to share a cup of coffee over Zoom to find out more about my intern experiences, I’m always happy to chat.\u00a0Working with the interns gave me an opportunity to dedicate time to listen to and, crucially, act upon the views of students, and I’m optimistic that the changes I will make as a result of this experience will have a positive impact on teaching and learning in Deaf Education at Manchester.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Lindsey can be contacted at\u00a0<\/b>lindsey.jones@manchester.ac.uk<\/b><\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_post_nav _builder_version=”3.0.106″ in_same_term=”off” show_prev=”on” show_next=”on” prev_text=”Previous” next_text=”Next” locked=”on” parent_locked=”off” \/][et_pb_comments _builder_version=”3.17.6″ show_count=”off” header_font_size_tablet=”51″ header_line_height_tablet=”2″ custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_use_icon=”off” locked=”on” parent_locked=”off” button_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_size__hover=”null” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_size__hover=”null” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover=”null” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_color__hover=”null” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_color__hover=”null” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover=”null” button_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_width__hover=”null” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover=”null” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover=”null” button_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_color__hover=”null” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_color__hover=”null” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover=”null” button_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_radius__hover=”null” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover=”null” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover=”null” button_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_bg_color__hover=”null” button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_bg_color__hover=”null” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover=”null” \/][et_pb_text admin_label=”Related posts” _builder_version=”3.0.106″ background_layout=”light” locked=”on” parent_locked=”off”]<\/p>\n

Related<\/h1>\n

Related posts:<\/h3>
<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>

Ivory Tower Inequality: Exploring Class Disparities in Higher Education<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/a>
<\/div>

My experience as an SPI<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/a>
<\/div>

Paediatric simulation clinics as a student vs. as a facilitator<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_sidebar _builder_version=”3.0.106″ area=”sidebar-1″ orientation=”left” show_border=”off” background_layout=”light” locked=”on” \/][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Connect Title” custom_padding=”0px||0px|” _builder_version=”3.0.90″ background_color=”#1d1d1d” module_class=”footer-section” prev_background_color=”#ffffff” global_module=”380″][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” global_parent=”380″ locked=”off” allow_player_pause=”off” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on” parallax_1=”off” parallax_method_1=”off” parallax_2=”off” parallax_method_2=”off” parallax_3=”off” parallax_method_3=”off” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” use_custom_gutter=”off” make_equal=”off” module_id=”footer-row” _builder_version=”3.0.89″][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Contact Us Title” global_parent=”380″ background_layout=”dark” text_text_color=”#ffffff” parent_locked=”off” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”]<\/p>\n

Contact Us<\/h4>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Contact Us” global_parent=”380″ text_text_color=”#aaaaaa” parent_locked=”off” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” module_class=”contact-us” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”]<\/p>\n

+44 (0) 161 306 6000<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Find Us Title” global_parent=”380″ background_layout=”dark” text_text_color=”#ffffff” parent_locked=”off” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”]<\/p>\n

Find Us<\/h4>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Address” global_parent=”380″ background_layout=”dark” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” module_id=”address” parent_locked=”off” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”]<\/p>\n

The University of Manchester
Oxford Rd
Manchester
M13 9PL
UK<\/a><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Connect Title” global_parent=”380″ background_layout=”dark” text_text_color=”#ffffff” parent_locked=”off” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”]<\/p>\n

Connect With Us<\/h4>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_code admin_label=”Social Media” global_parent=”380″ parent_locked=”off” _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n