Www.bournemouth.ac.uk Engaging with Students Prior to Arrival – What Works? Becka Currant,...

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Engaging with Students Prior to Arrival – What Works?

Becka Currant, University of Bradford

Christine Keenan, Bournemouth University


Overview

• Why is this important?• Theoretical background• Our approaches to addressing the issues

– Stepping Stones to HE– Develop Me! and SaPRA online

• Discussion• Outputs and next steps


BBC news 20 Feb 2008http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/7252723.stm

Yorkshire post 20 Feb 2008http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/800m-is-wasted-in-bid.3795428.jp

Is a traditional 3 year degree pathway really the most effective option for modern students?

Why are students leaving?


Context: Research into the FYE

• National research in FYE ongoing

• UK behind in terms of research compared with America and Australia

• Issues identified have not really changed

• Problems have wider impact due to differences in student population


Students 2.0?

• Who/what are modern students? • A vision of students today Wesch (2007)

• What issues do they face?

• What challenges does this pose for us?

• How do we respond to differences from the ‘norm’?


Why Do Students Leave University?

• Because they are not engaged• Not engaged academically

– “I am not clever enough”– “The course is not what I thought it would be”

• Not engaged socially– “I feel lonely”– “I am homesick”– “The other students are not friendly”


How have we addressed these issues?• HEA e-learning Research Observatory project• Compare and evaluate impact of two different

approaches to supporting student transition– http://developme.brad.ac.uk

– http://dec.bournemouth.ac.uk/steps • Focusing on:

– Different approaches to online pre-enrolment material– Different delivery mechanisms (web based vs VLE)– Diverse student groups


E-induction

Academic: • Early engagement with

academic materials and development of academic skills

• Completion of SaPRA to identify levels of confidence and develop action plan to reflect on with personal tutor and evidence in PDP

Social:• Start process of making

links with peers on courses and other students in University

• Share hopes, fears and concerns about starting course

• Identify challenges and find answers to burning questions

Primary objective to enable students to manage process of transition in both academic and social terms


Future support (2008 onwards)Develop Me! Online

E- Induction Module

Course Specific Information

Health & Safety Information

Integrated support for skills development and understanding development needs

Generic University based information (the usual paper bumpf sent out to freshers!)

Bespoke interactive exercises to promote academic and social cohesion prior to arrival

Targeted information relevant to particular courses

Integrated Online Support


Feedback from students

• 65% felt the materials were a useful resource

• 50% felt the materials had increased their confidence at University

• 42% felt their motivation had been increased


Discussion

• What happens at your institution?– What do you know about the student experience?

• How effective is it?• What would you like to see happen?• How can you ‘make it so’?


Contact Details

• Becka Currant– [email protected]– 01274 236821 or 07917 241214

• Christine Keenan– [email protected]

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