Farewell Message from Creative Writing Programme Head at OCA
In a heartfelt post on the OCA Creative Arts blog, Barbara Henderson, the long-standing Programme Leader of the online creative writing degree at the Open College of the Arts (OCA), announced her departure from her role after 12 years as a creative writing tutor and 10 years as course programme leader.
Over the years, Henderson has made significant changes to the course, widening specialism choices and offering uncommon specialties like Narrative Journalism and Writing for Children and Teens/YA. Her dedication to fostering a learner-centered, personalized experience has been evident in the unique digital pedagogy approach OCA employs.
This approach prioritizes personalized tutor support, flexible pacing, creative peer engagement, and interdisciplinary digital literacy. OCA provides direct, personalized feedback from published experts in the field, allowing creative development to be nurtured in a customized way over an extended period. The course design allows students to manage their own study schedules and progress asynchronously, fitting learning around other commitments. Creative peer engagement is encouraged within a more artistically open dialogue, supported by digital forums and platforms that foster reflective practice and diverse perspectives.
Moreover, OCA integrates digital tools and creative technologies within the curriculum to enhance both the writing and critical reflection process, fostering an interdisciplinary approach that is less common in traditional degree courses focused mostly on print-based writing and analysis.
Henderson is particularly proud of the students she has worked with at OCA, and she will take lessons learned from them to a new role. Under her leadership, OCA has achieved a 100% student satisfaction rate in the National Student Survey (NSS) and has worked to introduce a more diverse reading list and examples within the course materials.
The OCA creative writing course is designed to be accessible and achievable for students in various circumstances, making it possible for individuals from all walks of life to pursue their creative passions. The final Stage 3 unit enables students to think about their next steps with their writing, which is crucial for achieving publication goals.
As Henderson bids farewell, she leaves behind a legacy of innovation and dedication to the craft of creative writing. The OCA community wishes her all the best in her future endeavors and looks forward to continuing the journey of creative exploration and personal growth that she has helped to cultivate.
[1] Open College of the Arts (OCA). (2021). Digital pedagogy. Retrieved from https://www.oca-student.com/about/digital-pedagogy
[2] Open College of the Arts (OCA). (2021). Creative writing. Retrieved from https://www.oca-student.com/courses/creative-writing
[3] Open College of the Arts (OCA). (2021). Digital and interdisciplinary methods. Retrieved from https://www.oca-student.com/about/digital-and-interdisciplinary-methods
- Barbara Henderson's work at the Open College of the Arts (OCA) has contributed significantly to the expansion of online education in the realm of education-and-self-development, specifically in online-education courses like creative writing, where she implemented unique digital pedagogy, fostering a personalized learning experience that promotes learning and creative development.
- The Open College of the Arts (OCA) continues to prioritize learning through its innovative approach, integrating digital tools, creative technologies, and diverse perspectives in courses like creative writing, thus offering a comprehensive learning experience that encourages both self-development and the exploration of interdisciplinary fields.
