Between March 2003 and December 2006, the Ultraversity project at Anglia Ruskin University researched and developed accredited work-based courses with the project culminating with the graduation of 150 students in June 2006. The courses developed had the following characteristics:

- a social model of learning based around inter-disciplinary online communities of inquiry
- inquiry-based with modules that had process content rather than subject knowledge
- used students work as the focus of study enabling an undergraduate degree to be completed in 3 years
- novel approaches to assessment including patchwork media and exhibition for dissertation
- designed to maximise individuals potential to become an evidence-based ‘improver’ in their chosen work context

Peer reviewed papers

Millwood, R., Powell, S., Tindal, I. (2008) Personalised Learning and the Ultraversity Experience. Interactive Learning Environments, Volume 16, Issue 1 , pp. 63 - 81. Routledge.

Millwood, R., Powell, S., Tindal, I. (2007) Undergraduate Student Researchers – the Ultraversity Model for Work-Based Learning.Proceedings of the 2nd TENCompetence Open Workshop - Service Oriented Approaches and Lifelong Competence Development Infrastructures, pp. 157-166. Manchester UK: The Institute for Educational Cybernetics, University

Feature articles

New kind of graduate emerges… June 2006

Universities adapt to a shrinking world… March 2006

The first year… August 2004

Revolutionise higher education…. April 2003

Jisc (2007). Effective Practice With e-Assessment. Example of using e-Portfolios as assessment tools in the context of learners ownership Learners ownership. Hefce, p33. PDF download effprac_eassess.pdf.

Findings

What action did student researchers take? - potential for organisational Impact
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Data Analysed & presented by Richard Millwood May 2006.

Patchwork media online to enhance personalised learning – achieving high levels of personal and professional reflection
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Findings developed by Lesley McGuire, Gina Revill, Gill Roberts and Ian Tindal May 2006.

The traditional method of assessment in higher education is the essay. This requires not only a certain level of literacy, but also a familiarity with the ‘academic voice’, which can place constraints on students, including a feeling of isolation. Ultraversity took the ‘Patchwork text’ idea and adapted it to our online needs. What exactly is that and how successful has it been?

What jobs do student researchers in Ultraversity do? - the value of learning in a mixed workforce community.
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Data analysed & presented by Tim Williams May 2006.