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Student transitions James M Dunphy 8 December 2014

Student transitions in higher education

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Page 1: Student transitions in higher education

Student transitions

James M Dunphy8 December 2014

Page 2: Student transitions in higher education

Starting university

Nervous energy

Excitement

Feeling slightly squeamish

Not wanting your family to leave / wishing they’d dropped you off a block or two from campus

Hungry and wondering what you’re going to eat tonight

Most importantly – signing in to the Wi-Fi

Page 3: Student transitions in higher education

The Importance of Integration

Academic Social

Learning what it means to learn at university

Validating subject choice

Gaining confidence

Becoming socially comfortable at university

Recognising positive change within yourself

Having a non-academic space

Meeting people and making connections

Tinto, 1975

Page 4: Student transitions in higher education

The Quality of Learning and Teaching

Good learning and teaching practices:

ǁ foster engagement

ǁ place a value on attendance

ǁ make use of students’ knowledge and experiences

ǁ provide regular feedback

ǁ promote dialogue

ǁ build confidence

1. Encourages contacts between students and faculty

2. Develops reciprocity and cooperation among students

3. Uses active learning techniques

4. Gives prompt feedback

5. Emphasizes time on task

6. Communicates high expectations

7. Respects diverse talents and ways of learning

Chickering and Gamson 1987

Page 5: Student transitions in higher education

The Role of Effective Support

Role of our student unions in reaching out to alltheir members

Range of student-facing services – all designed to make student life better

Asking a question as to how and where small or low cost support can make a difference?

Utilising students to develop and deliver support

Page 6: Student transitions in higher education

Need for colleagues to work together to:

- increase the impact of the resource we invest

- develop new approaches and solutions

Data can help greatly to inform our thinking, as can student feedback

The Challenge of us all together

Page 7: Student transitions in higher education

Students feel well prepared and appropriately supported

Delivery of information is replaced by learning

Students develop understanding of what is expected and feel able to meet this expectation

We understand who is leaving and why

Accept that early-departure can be the right decision for some students

What might success look like?

Page 8: Student transitions in higher education

Seamless v. Fact of Life

What do we say about transition?

ǁ No need to worry, it’ll all be fantastic

ǁ Sometimes things can be tough and we’re here to help

Can we do more to prepare students?

Viewing transition as a fact of life and resilience as a skill

Page 9: Student transitions in higher education

discussion

What are we doing well in this area?

What role can quality processes have in supporting successful transitions?

Page 10: Student transitions in higher education

Scotland’s Quality Enhancement Framework includes the Enhancement Theme programme

An opportunity for the sector to come together to investigate an area of practice:

- share information

- discuss enhancement solutions

Also an opportunity to take enhancement forward within the institution:

- strategic

- course and discipline based

Driving a national focus

Page 11: Student transitions in higher education

Student Transitions Theme Leaders Group

Two sectoral tracks of work:

- into higher education

- through and out of higher education

Key focus on work within institutions

Also a Student Network, comprised of our student officers

Student transitions 2014-17

Page 12: Student transitions in higher education

Institutional Theme Leaders Group

Focus on three levels:

- Cross-university, areas identified by Strategy or quality processes

- Discipline, areas of relevance to colleagues at school or course level

- Student, aiding students to become better prepared and more resilient

Theme scoping exercise informed by a student internship

RGU’s APproach

Page 13: Student transitions in higher education

Associate Student Scheme

The scheme is free to all HN students planning to progress to RGU through the Degree Link programme

Associate students benefit from access to:

ǁ CampusMoodle – RGU’s virtual learning environment

ǁ Online databases, journals and electronic books

ǁ the University Library

ǁ RGU: Sport

ǁ RGU: Union

Page 14: Student transitions in higher education

Identified challenge regarding students’ writing

Study Skills and Access worked with academic staff to unpack and understand the challenge

The development of a joint response, in the form of learning activities and student support

Critically, linking these activities back to the course and subsequent feedback to students

Partnership working to enhance

Students’ Writing

Page 15: Student transitions in higher education

DegreePrep Programmes

Designed to support the transition from studying at college to studying at university through

ǁ essential course information and study skills, as well as familiarising students with the staff, campus and facilities

133 students attended a DegreePrep Programme prior to commencing their studies in Session 2014/15

133 entrants joined the

programme in 2014/ 2015

99% felt more confident about continuing their studies at

university

100%Were more aware

of the help and resources available

at university

Page 16: Student transitions in higher education

Changing Our Delivery Models

Page 17: Student transitions in higher education

Students – Always in Transition?

James M Dunphy8 December 2014