Early Childhood Studies Class Presents Academic Posters to Students and Staff

Early Years students, studying at SERC Newtownards Campus, have hosted an exhibition of academic posters, summarising their research into the development of language in children.   

As part of their assessment for the Acquisition of Language module of their Foundation Degree in Early Childhood Studies, the second-year class was required to present their work -- university-style -- using text, imagery and graphics in a series of posters. The students then talked through their posters, answering questions from staff and students who attended the exhibition. Visitors included SERC’s Head of Higher Education, Stuart Rankin, and students on the first year of the same course.  

Unlike an essay, an academic poster has no set format and so allows each individual student to devise their own style of expressing and displaying the information they have learnt.   

Speaking as the event got under way, tutor Sarah Darragh said,  

“Designing and presenting an academic poster challenges the students to look at their work holistically and also offers them the opportunity to work creatively to express what they have learnt.  It’s been great to have support from others in the SERC community to come and discuss the posters with our foundation degree students, allowing them to reflect on their work and so consolidating their knowledge. It’s a really useful exercise and we are very proud of the results, which show that the class is well prepared to progress in their higher education journey next year.” 

The posters are now assessed and marked by the Stranmillis University College exam board.