Unit 1 – TPP Blog Post 4

Bridging the gap between theory and practice: Pedagogic ideas, experience, and expertise from a Senior Fashion Marketing Lecturer at LCF

As a Fashion Marketing Lecturer at London College of Fashion (LCF), I am passionate about bridging the gap between theory and practice. I believe that students learn best when they are able to apply what they are learning in the classroom to real-world situations. This is the centre around which I build my sessions.

Here are a few of the pedagogic ideas, experience, and expertise that I share with my students:

• The importance of creativity and innovation: The fashion industry is constantly evolving, so it is important for students to be able to think creatively and come up with new ideas outside the box. I encourage students to challenge the status quo and to come up with innovative marketing solutions for fashion brands no matter how farfetched they might initially seem.
• The importance of data and analytics: In today’s digital world, it is essential for fashion marketers to be able to collect and analyse data to make informed decisions. I teach students how to use data and analytics to understand their target market, measure the success of their marketing campaigns, and identify areas for improvement. This is a skill that will not only serve them well in industry but also set them apart from their peers.
• The importance of storytelling: Fashion is all about storytelling. I teach students how to develop and tell compelling stories and build narratives about brands and their products. This helps them to connect with their target audience on a deeper level and to build lasting relationships.

In addition to teaching students about the latest fashion marketing theories and practices, I also share my own personal experiences and insights from working in the fashion industry. I believe that it is important for students to see how the things they are learning in the classroom can be applied in the real world.

One way that I do this is by inviting guest speakers from the fashion industry to classes. Guest speakers share their own experiences and insights, and they also answer questions from students. This gives students a chance to learn from people who are working in the industry today.

“Learning is a process in which students actively construct new knowledge as they interact with their environment.”

– Jean Piaget

Another way to bridge the gap between theory and practice is by having students work on real-world projects. For example, I have had my students develop marketing campaigns for real fashion brands in their second year Social and Digital Marketing unit – last year it was with the brand Pandora and a liv brief. This gives students a chance to apply what they are learning in the classroom to a real-world dynamic situation.

Here are a few specific examples of how I have adapted my teaching to meet the needs of different learners and how I have incorporated new technologies into my classroom:

• To meet the needs of different learners, I use a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, discussions, case studies, and group projects. I also provide students with a variety of resources, such as articles, videos, and podcasts both prior to and after sessions.
• I have incorporated new technologies into my classroom by using online learning platforms, such as Blackboard and Moodle. I also use social media platforms, such as TikTok and Instagram, to connect my students to other resources and research methods.

I believe that it is important to continuously reflect on my teaching practice and to make changes as and when needed. I am always looking for new and innovative ways to teach my students about fashion marketing. I am also committed to creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment where all students feel welcome and valued.

I hope this blog post gives some insight into my pedagogic ideas, experience, and expertise as a Senior Fashion Marketing Lecturer at LCF. I am committed to bridging the gap between theory and practice, and to helping students develop the skills and knowledge they need to be successful in the fashion industry.

“Learning is the process of acquiring new knowledge and skills, and the ability to use them to solve problems.”

– David Ausubel