Embedding employability into the curriculum through service learning: a Creative & Cultural Industries case study

This lightning talk explores how real-world learning can be applied as a learning and teaching tool to enhance levels of student learning and attainment. It provides an overview of the embedding of service learning projects within a level 5 module to provide students with an opportunity to apply their developing understanding of creative problem-solving to real-world examples of conceptualisation, research and solution design. Two contrasting community-based projects were selected for their potential to enable students to attain a professional level of interaction through the client briefing, conceptual development and client pitch presentation stages. Sessions were structured to provide a range of learning opportunities, including team-working strategies, branding and ideation workshops. The progress of each project was captured by students within an individual reflective multi-media blog in which they critically reflected on their process. The quality of the work submitted, the level of student and client satisfaction testify to its success.