Demystifying the dissertation: learning through magic

This poster outlines our project, which focused on the use of magic to support learning. As Learning Development tutors, we teach workshops within modules to support students' development of their academic skills. In this project, we designed a workshop based on dissertation preparation, which involved the students learning and performing a magic trick. Connections were then made between the process of learning a trick, and the process of writing a dissertation. Data suggests students found the session engaging and memorable, and that their understanding of key skills improved. Data also tells us that students' emotions and attitudes towards the dissertation became more positive post-session.