Extended Subject Specific Induction
A multistranded approach to early student engagement, social integration
and student transition
Dr Julie RattrayDepartment of Biological and Biomedical SciencesSchool of Life SciencesGlasgow Caledonian University
Project BackgroundIncreasingly diverse student intakeIncreased student numbers
• 05/06 117• 09/10 182
Poor Year 1 retention rates• 05/06 14% lost
Poor Year 1 module progression at first diet• 05/06 60 – 70 %
The Extended Induction Programme
Extended induction programmes have been advocated.Management of transition is key to student engagement and retention.
• Pre-induction activities• Week 0 induction programme• Core curriculum development and deliveryRefs1. Yorke, M. and Longden, B. (2007) The first-year experience in higher education in the UK
(Report on Phase 1 of a project funded by the Higher Education Academy). Available from: www.heacademy.ac.uk/assets/york/ documents/ourwork/research/fye/web0573_the_first_year_experience.pdf [2 August 2007].
2. Thomas, L. et al. (2005) Smoothing the transition. Academy Exchange, 1, pp. 26-27.3. Wingate, U. (2007) A Framework for Transition: Supporting ’Learning to Learn’ in Higher
Education. Higher Education Quarterly, 61 (3), pp. 391-405.
Objectives of ProjectTo design and implement an extended induction programme which will engage and empower students to take responsibility for their transitional and learning experience.
• Audit previously delivered induction programme• Use student feedback to design the extended induction
programme• Incorporate elements of “Best Practice”
Refs1. The STAR Project – Induction Audit – Available online from http://www.ulster.ac.uk/
star/resources/resources.htm (Accessed -3/6/2010)2. Cook, A. and Rushton, BS., eds (2008) STAR projects: Embedding Good Practice.
University of Ulster, Coleraine . Available online from http://www.ulster.ac.uk/star/resources/drafts.htm (Accessed -3/6/2010)
Key Features of Induction• Early engagement• Social integration and establishment of learning
communities• Campus/Department orientation• Administrative processes• Programme/institutional information• Student support information• Transition to independent learning environment• Appreciation of Academic ObligationRefs1. Forrester, G. et al. (2005) Going the distance: students’ experiences of induction to distance learning in higher education. Journal of Further and Higher Education, 29, pp. 293-306
Pre-Induction Activities 1BIORAMA
All applicants, parents, friends, enquirers
• Campus/Department orientation/tours• Practical activities (lab based)• Information and question sessions• Staff and student guiders• Student interviews
80-90% of registered students attend
interested in a career in . . . • Biomedical Science • Human Nutrition & Dietetics • Forensics • Food Bioscience • Pharmacology BiORAMA
Pre-Induction Activities 2
Induction Pack Pick-Up
• All UOF students invited – personal invitation• Programme Specific Induction Pack• Meet and greet• Staff and student guiders• 6 sessions offered prior to Week 0
20% of registered students attended in Sept 09
INDUCTION PACK PICK UP
Want to meet your lecturers ?Want to meet other students ?
KEEN TO MAKE A START ?
IF YOU ARE - YOU CAN PICK UP YOUR INDUCTION PACK (PRIOR TO INDUCTION WEEK) AT THE FOLLOWING TIMES -
THURSDAY 27th AUGUST 10 – 12pmRoom C226
MONDAY 31st AUGUST 2 – 4pmRoom C226
WEDNESDAY 2nd SEPTEMBER 10 – 12pm Room C226FRIDAY 4th SEPTEMBER 2 - 4pm
Room C226TUESDAY 8th SEPTEMBER 11 – 1pm Room C226THURSDAY 10th SEPTEMBER 2 – 4pm Room C226
If you have any questions or need any further information please feel free to contact Dr Julie Rattray,Tel - 0141-331-3204, email – [email protected]
Pre-Induction Activities 3Learning Strategies Summer School – 09/10
• BSc Human Biology with Soc and Psy• All UOF students on this programme invited• 3 day programme covering the 3 degree
component areas (Bio, Soc and Psy)• Subject specific learning strategies sessions
with emphasis on multidisciplinary approach
50% of registered students attended
Pre-Induction Activities Developments for 2010
Development of programme specific pre-entry websites
• Online Induction Packs • Programme specific social network sites –
managed by student mentors/guiders• Themed Vidcast and podcasts –
campus/department orientation, student experiences, Top 10 Tips
Induction Week Activities 1First Contact
• Departmental Welcome• Core Year 1 staff and Academic Development Tutor• Subject specific group activities – Bioethics
activities, problem solving games• Programme information – “Bite Size - Need To
Know”• Campus Orientation Quiz – with prizes !!• Registration – student checks and matriculation
Mortgage and loan companies should have access to your genetic records - they don’t want to lend money to someone who might get sick or die.
Induction Week Activities 2
Academic Development• Case Studies• Student Expectations• Student Responsibilities• Student Commitment• Student Support
Susan is a GCU student. When the term started Susan attended most of her classes. Now she can’t be bothered. She gets her notes off Blackboard and reads up some stuff in textbooks and other material. Susan phones her friends all the time to find out what is going on in class and ask them questions. Susan has never spoken to any of the teaching staff about her attendance, in spite of receiving communication about this. Susan manages to submit pieces of coursework on time. She tends to leave her work to the last minute and is often up all night finishing her assignments.
CASE STUDY
Induction Week Activities 3
Learning Skills• Library induction – 30 minute overview• IT induction – 1 hour overview - login, email,
VLE, setup problems• Health and Safety – 1 hour - regulations,
requirements and sign off.• Lab skills
Follow up worksheet/activities
Induction Week Activities 4
POSTER PRESENTATION
POSTER PRESENTATION
IT INDUCTION
LIBRARY INDUCTION
H&S INDUCTION
LAB SKILLS
GROUPWORK
PEER SUPPORT
Induction Week Project Lab based group exercise and poster presentationFacilitated by student guiders/mentors
Induction Week Activities 5Induction Consolidation
1. Academic Advisor meeting• Organised meeting with academic advisor• Induction Week Reflection – PDP file• Core information check – PDP file
2. Turning Point Quiz• General class questions• Expectations• Subject specific questions
I come from
1. West of Scotland2. East of Scotland3. Northern Scotland4. England/Wales5. Overseas
The number of hours I should spend on independent study each week is
1. 102. 203. 304. 40
Which of the following features is first present in the developing foetus at 4 months?
1. Webbed feet2. Fingernails3. A heart4. A moustache
Induction Week Activities Developments for 2010
• Adapt and integrate Week 0 Induction programme into new University Academic Calendar.
Core Curriculum Development
Key elements• Integration of key skills into subject specific delivery• Gradual assimilation of independent learning skills• Portfolio of key skills – linked to subject specific goals• Integration of Practical Skills modules, Personal
Development Planning and reflective practice.
Introduction of Practical Skills Modules - Sept 2010
Progress So FarPositive student feedbackImprovement in student attendance Student retention has improvedFirst diet module pass rates have improved
Academic Year
Number of Students
Withdrawal/Time Out
First Diet Module Pass Rate
05/06 117 17 (14%) 65 67 6506/07 146 23 (16%) 58 67 8007/08 151 16 (10.5%) 68 73 8208/09 159 13 (8%) 79 70 8909/10 182 10 (5.5%) 85 85 91
Thanks to
Dr Karen Keith – SLS LecturerDr Alistair Corbett – SLS Senior LecturerNuala Toman – Former SLS Academic Development Tutor BIO Year 1 students
GCU Scholars ProgrammeGCU Moving Forward Initiative