Learning and teaching at DMU

A De Montfort University (DMU) degree is a degree for life. Our goal is to help you reach your goal, and we aim to equip all students, whatever their level and mode of study, with the knowledge required to realise their ambition, be it academic or professional.

Teaching at DMU answers the imperatives of the twenty-first century and aims to produce agile, creative, thoughtful and resilient graduates, capable of meeting challenges with versatility and eagerness to apply their knowledge for the good of all.

Education 2030: Block Teaching

From 2022/23, the majority of students at DMU will learn in a focused ‘block’ teaching format, where they will study one subject at a time instead of several at once. Block teaching allows for more time to engage with learning, as well as enabling students to receive faster feedback through more regular assessment, and have a better study-life balance to enjoy other important aspects of university life. You can learn more about the benefits of block teaching on our Education 2030 page.

Block learning on Performing Arts

Our new way of teaching enables students to study one module at a time instead of several at once. Our Performing Arts students and their programme leader explain why block learning works for them.

Learning and teaching strategy

Our strategy comprises three pillars, listed below. Each contributes to an overarching emphasis on engaging students and staff to work together to construct and maintain an education that equips graduates to fulfil their ambitions and allows their teachers to be responsive, creative, and flexible.

  1. Co-creation

    DMU regards its students as co-creators in learning and teaching. We will seek to develop curricula that respond to student needs and employer expectations, through conversationand consultation. Ours is a scholarly community, enriched by its inclusive, responsive and partnership-based learning environment. Students will be co-producers of knowledge.

    We aim to:

    • Facilitate the dynamic co-creation of learning opportunities and development of academic disciplines
    • Enhance curriculum design and delivery to challenge, inspire and engage,
    • Deliver university-wide relevant and supportive mentoring and peer mentoring
    • Embed employability and enterprise throughout students’ courses of study
  2. Building capacity

    DMU understands that each student enters university with different levels of readiness and prior attainment. We will provide an education that recognizes this variety of student need and equips academic staff to meet it. We will support students and their teachers with the tools necessary for a successful learning and teaching experience.

    We aim to:

    • Embed teaching excellence into staff recruitment, staff development, appraisal, reward and recognition
    • Enrich programme design and delivery targeted learner support interventions through pedagogic innovation and scholarship
    • Develop a digital capabilities framework to ensure that students and staff gain and enhance essential skills and the confidence required to use them fluently
    • Provide an effective and innovative learning environment
  3. Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

    UDL is DMU’s flagship approach to making learning accessible to all, regardless of circumstance. We will provide all students with the opportunity to succeed and develop according to its principles. Students will hone their strengths while successfully meeting new challenges with the prospect of achieving to the highest level, irrespective of prior qualifications, individual learning styles, and differences such as ethnicity, age, gender and disability status.

    We aim to:

    • Encourage all students to explore the importance of their personal growth while at DMU
    • Recognise students’ differing approaches to the assimilation and synthesis of information
    • Provide effective personal tutoring that supports individual progression and academic growth

 

State-of-the-art technologies

Our teaching and learning technologies will help you make the most of digital learning and you’ll receive all the support you need to get started. 

Through DMU Replay, you can get anytime access to recorded audio-visual content and re-watch your lectures as many times as you like, while MS Teams will enable you to take part in engaging, interactive live sessions with your fellow students and lecturers.

Community is really important to us and we’re a very close-knit group at DMU, both colleagues and students. This extends beyond our lectures and seminars and is about being part of the wider scholarly community.

Dr Matt Jones

Library and Learning Services

With a huge range of study spaces, DMU's library facilities cater for different requirements and are open for extended hours, with a friendly, knowledgeable team on hand to help. Our Library and Learning Services provide enhanced support and online resources, including:

Technology and software support

  • Confidently use Blackboard, Turnitin, DMU Replay, MS Teams and more with our Learning Technologies help guides.
  • Access and learn how to use Microsoft 365 and study support software, including mind-mapping and note-taking tools
  • Gain confidence using computers and Windows 10 (Apple device use based on course)
  • Assistive Technology software and equipment is available at the Library.

Finding and referencing sources

  • Get advice on effective literature searching to make the best use of books and other library resources, with subject-specific resources in handy subject guides from our subject librarians.
  • Learn how to follow good academic practice, by citing and referencing appropriately and using Reference Management Software, with our referencing guide. 
  • Search for and locate library resources for your course, including digital and printed books, journal articles and database collections. 

Skill development

  • Hone your academic skills for your assignments with workshops and tutorials through our CLaSS team. 
  • Develop your understanding of maths and statistics through our Maths Learning Centre.   
  • Benefit from mentoring opportunities to support your learning and development.
  • Access a vast array of online training courses through LinkedIn Learning, and get help with academic writing and maths via Studiosity.

For further information and support, join our library live chat sessions or submit a query through JustAsk or our 24/7 LibChat.

The fact that our tutors have created a sense of community for us online really shows their passion for the subject and how much they care about student wellbeing.

Harry Abbott, Film Studies

 

Download the full University Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategy.