Transcript Retention at Trinity College

Retention at Trinity College
Deirdre Flynn & Derek Richards,
Student Counselling Service.
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Is Retention a Problem?
What do we know?
 What can be done by academic staff?
 Strategic initiatives (T.I.) in college and
externally
 The Retention Network
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What is known
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Morgan 2001 A study of non-completion in undergraduate
University courses:
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Non-completion rates TCD
1985
15.7%
15.4% male
16.0% female
1992
16.2%
13.8% male
19.0% female
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The average non-completion rate across Irish
Universities is 16.8%
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What is Known
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Completion rates at Trinity College for
students who began their studies in 1992:
 Engineering
Graduating on time
Graduating late
Not completing course
68%
16%
16%
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Computer Science
Graduating on time
Graduating late
Not completing course
38%
29%
33%
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What is known
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Course choice and commitment (Baird, 2002,
Mathews & Mulkeen, 2002)
Students ability to integrate socially and
academically (Tinto, 1987,1993)
Unpreparedness for course of choice
Conflicts between demands of work and
study / academic underperformance
Multiple factors – personal, financial and
social
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Retention / Withdrawal
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Avoidable and advisable withdrawal
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2/3 happy with their decision to leave
90% planned to return or had returned to
education
41% left without talking with anyone
Second level career guidance consultation
(13% only) (Baird, 2002)
51% of Junior Freshman had considered
leaving college (Harrington et al, 2001)
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Interventions
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Interventions by lecturers (weeks 4-8, prior to
summer exams, post exam results)
Connect with students – building relationships,
departmental receptions
Integrate general skills (study, stress, Interpersonal)
into your teaching / core curriculum – GENSIP
Provide early and frequent feedback re performance
Linking and referring to other service providers
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Interventions
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Peer tutoring programmes
Target students at intake
Transition year students
Course prospectus
Exit interview and SAS
Other interventions
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College Retention Projects
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Junior Freshman Project
Peer Support
Access
Learning Support Project
Peer Tutoring in the Language Departments
Peer Tutoring in Computer Science
Mathematics support Project
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Other Retention Projects
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Tackling the problem of students early learning
difficulties with computer programming DCU - Nora
Brophy and Elaine Breslin
Information and Communication technology learning
centre UL – Michael English
Analysis of specific interventions for 1st year students
in the areas of information technology, computer
science and mathematics – Gearodin Ui Nia et al.
Exploring maths underpreparedness at third level –
Olivia Gill et al, University of Limerick
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Retention Network (CHUI)
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Objectives –
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Improve all students chances of achieving
their maximum potential
Foster a coordinated approach between
Student Services and Academic Staff
Advocate an open systems approach
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