Transcript Document
Engaging New Students
Through an Extended
‘Induction’ Process
Heather Farley
Dr Alison Hampton
Background
Transition from secondary to tertiary
education can be difficult & may not be a
continuous, linear progression
We need to:
- Ensure compatibility between changing
(rising?) student expectations & their
actual experience (Cook, Rushton, et al, 2005)
- Develop effective two way
communication with ‘stakeholders’ …
- Understand what motivates the ’21st
Century Student’ (Redmond, 2008)
Today’s ‘Generation Y’ Student
(Redmond, 2008)
‘Workers with attitude’ who will challenge
& are quick to judge ‘value’
Digital Natives who are connected 24-7
Unprecedented parental support &
involvement - ‘helicopter parents’
Attendance/punctuality is always optional
‘Work’ is the Apprentice & Dragons Den
WLB is more than a buzz word
Image or brand matters
Motivated by mentors/coaches & not
bosses/superiors
Current Drivers
Student Transition & Retention research,
data & activity (Cook et al, 2007)
External Audit: QAA, NSS, …
Internal Policy: University 1st year
retention policy; UBS 1st year retention
and attendance monitoring & support
strategies; Faculty Working Group on 1st
year experience
The Stakeholders themselves: students,
tutors, parents, school teachers, …
Current ‘Retention’ Figures (based on
‘Success 1’ data…
2006/07
2007/08
Ulster Business
School
University Average
89%
92%
87%
90%
Marketing,
Entrepreneurship &
Strategy (MES)
Retention Targets
for MES
83%
94%
88% (2008/09)
92% (2009/10)
What is ‘Induction’ Nowadays?
An ongoing process or ‘student journey’
(Cooper, 2007)
Encompasses a number of stages:
- Pre-entry &/or Application stage
- ‘Front end’ Induction
- ‘Ongoing’ Curriculum Development
(including aspects such as provision of
formative feedback & attendance monitoring)
- Onward Progression … with ...
- Staff Development activity to support
What is ‘Induction’ ctd?
Incorporates a number of aspects of
student interaction:
- Academic
- Personal
- Social
- Vocational
Need to
get the
balance
right
Pre-entry / Application Stage
Greater involvement re. school visits
Tailored session for BSc (Hons)
Marketing during Open Week
- Mini Marketing Activity
Parent & Student evening (CI/CF
event)
‘Front end’ Induction
Year 1 Tutor role – first point of
contact
Social Networking Site (confirmed
places in August are invited to join
Bebo):
- Virtual Tour of campus includes
facilities and car parking
- Links students pre-induction & beyond
- Gives an insight into the ‘individual’
student
‘Front end’ Induction ctd…
Induction – over 2 days in week 0
Minimum requirements
Informal with interactive sessions
- Ice Breakers: Speed Intro’s
- Team Building: Lost
- Orientation of Campus: Treasure Hunt
- Expectations workshop: Lecturers vs students
‘A day in the life of a 1st year student’
competition (UBS)
Quiz … ‘Dinner with the Dean’!
Induction feedback from the students…..
“The activities at induction were very good. The
orientation task which our group really got into was fun
and allowed us to find rooms”
“The first day was very long…the people who came to
speak to us were good and friendly but it was a lot to
take in”
“I enjoyed the induction tasks and it was good being
split into smaller groups because no-one else from my
school was doing my course – so it was a bit scary at
the start”
Ongoing Curriculum Development
Maximum 15 students per seminar group
Seminars start in week 1
Small group seminar tutor = Studies
Adviser
Formative feedback given by week 6
Attendance monitoring & interviews
(support mechanism)
Use of Turning Point technology
Vocational activity (Personal Employability
Skills module; WBL; PDP)
And What Next?
More ‘connectivity’ & integration between
different activities / stages / tutors
Continued use of data & evaluation, to:
- monitor & evaluate what is done
- inform what happens next
Focus a little more on the ‘student voice’
Look further at ‘induction’ activity beyond
year 1/the new entrant … develop
‘independent learners’