Supporting Today’s Learners

Geoff Layer

GEES Recruitment and Retention ConferenceTuesday 26 June 2007

Structure

• Participation

• Issues

• Responses

1

0%

15%

30%

45%

60%

75%

5 15 25 35

Estimate of median household annual income (£ thousands)

Pa

rtic

ipa

tio

n

Source: HEFCE 2001

Participation

2

Social Class Participation

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

1960 1970 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000

GB API (%age)

I,II,IIN IIIM,IV,V

Source: DfES 2003

3

Minority Ethnic Groups by Institution

Source: Patterns of Higher Education :Fourth Report– UUK/SCOP 2004

Minority Ethnic Groups by Institution

4

Full-time and Part-time first year students

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03

Perc

enta

ge o

f to

tal underg

raduate

s

Full Time Part Time

Source: HESA (1997-2002), Students in Higher Education (First Year UK Domiciled HE Students by Level of Study, Mode of Study, Gender and Ethnicity 1997/98)

5

Key Issues

• ‘Social Class’

• Disadvantaged Groups

• Low Income

• New Routes

• Fees and Bursaries

• Academic Structures

8

• Elite - 15%

• Mass - 15-40%

• Universal - more than 40%

Trow

9

Mass reflects a higher education system where

the curriculum fits the scale and nature

of demand

10

Other Routes Standards

Access A Levels Vocational Apprenticeship Diplomas

Foundation Degrees Degrees Degrees

11

A = Expectations

B = Social and Cultural Engagement

C = Learning, Teaching and Assessment

A C

B

12

1960 1970 1980 1990 2000YEAR

Curriculum requirement

Student preparedness for the curriculum

13

1960 1970 1980 1990 2000YEAR

Curriculum requirement

Student preparedness for the curriculum

14

1960 1970 1980 1990 2000YEAR

Curriculum requirement

Student preparedness for the curriculum

15

• Who are your students?

• How do you support “habitas”?

• How do you recognise diversity?

• Have you reviewed your transactions?

16

Key Issues

• Linkage between entry qualification and success

• Shaping of Learning, Teaching and Assessment strategy

• Student support

17

The Future?

• Shift away from deficit model

• Reform role of Student and Learner Services to pro-active multi-skilled supported by professional services

• Engage academic subjects through HE Academy

• Focus on student life cycle

18

Student Life Cycle Model

Better preparation

Fair admissions

First steps in HE

Flexible progression

Student success

19

Student Life Cycle Model

Practice 1

• Success for all

• Connectivity of strategies

• Linkage between support and academic department

• Integration of skills with the curriculum

• Emphasis on staff development

• Guidance facility

20

Practice 1

Practice 2

• Transition support

• Extended induction

• “One-stop” shops/new role for Student

Services

• Student engagement

• “Improved” tracking

• V.L.E.

21

• Learning Support

• Reassessment support

• Etransition

• Student feedback

• First Year Experience7

Practice three

Challenges

Develop the social model of student participation

22

Supporting Today’s Learners

Geoff Layer

GEES Recruitment and Retention ConferenceTuesday 26 June 2007