A Novel Pandemic Delivery Pattern for a New Digital User Experience Degree Apprenticeship

Abstract

The teaching and study of User Experience (UX) is relatively new compared to more established fields. Additionally, the interdisciplinary nature of UX may make a consensus on teaching pedagogies and methods difficult to reach. To add to the complexity of teaching UX, is the emergence of the degree apprenticeship programme where apprentices study at a higher education university for 20% of their time while 80% is spent with their employer. This paper describes the process of launching a programme to respond to this unique and emerging context during a global pandemic. It focuses on reflections from lecturers on the challenges and reception of the programme and discusses the initial contributions this work can bring to conceptions of UX pedagogies, especially those delivered in an online delivery environment.

Learning in Context: A First Look at a Graduate Apprenticeship

“…In the former category, Barr and Parkinson describe an effort to design a new program in collaboration with industry and highlight the importance of engaging employers in the process [6]. Similarly, Sheen et al developed a user experience (UX) program and report on the challenges of offering this during the COVID-19 pandemic [29]. However, there is also work exploring the student experience.…”