The use of innovative learning methods in a new university

Like many other `new´ universities, the University of Humberside (UK) has been quick to embrace new learning methods, and often rewards staff who show initiative in this field. Unlike most other new universities, it also has the benefit of an endowment of one million pounds from BP Chemicals, given specifically to support the development of new learning methods. Here, the author describes how one way this funding is used is to support staff with ideas of their own, wanting to improve the delivery methods used within their subject area. In such cases, staff put together a bid for BP funding, which must have the support of their school, and this bid is assessed against a number of criteria laid down by the University. Where the project proposed has a direct bearing on the way students learn, the way it affects the student learning experience comes under particular scrutiny