The whole of university experience: retention, attrition, learning and personal support interventions during undergraduate business studies

The Whole of University Experience (WoUE) project examined factors underpinning attrition in the first, second and third year of a business degree at six Australian universities – Griffith University, Monash University, Murdoch University, University of South Australia, University of Southern Queensland, and University of the Sunshine Coast. A questionnaire completed in 2008, 2009, and 2010 by a total of 7,486 students enabled gathering of data relating to demographics; students’ experience of university; their use and perceptions of the usefulness of student support interventions; open-ended comments about the best and worst aspects of the university experience; and aspects in need of improvement. In each year a small number of students were also interviewed for the purpose of fleshing out the survey data and exploring the interactions between various factors associated with attrition. Overall, the data strongly indicates that factors related to attrition are generally university-specific and reflect both student characteristics and their responses to the specific institutional culture and environment. The only attrition triggers which span most universities and most years of study are ‘lack of a clear reason for being at university’ and ‘the feeling of having insufficient ability to succeed at university’. Correlation analysis relating 70 statements probing students’ experience of university to the strength of their intention to leave before completing a degree revealed notable differentiation in attrition triggers on the basis of year of study. Follow-up analysis in one university indicated further differentiation in the triggers for attrition, semester by semester. It seems that many different factors underpin attrition decisions in any one institution and for any one individual, for whom attrition appears to be the result of the aggregation of diverse factors generally followed by ‘the straw that broke the camel’s back’. When responses are grouped by demographic variables some difference in the factors associated with domestic and international student attrition is apparent, but no difference in the factors associated with their sense of satisfaction or belonging is obvious. In the responses of international and domestic students to issues of teaching quality, differences primarily related to expectations regarding teaching staff approachability, availability and helpfulness. For students enrolled part-time or full-time different factors underpin attrition, and attrition triggers also differ on the basis of time spent on campus and average grades. Preliminary analysis suggests that having to take a loan or engage in full-time work to fund studies is a greater attrition risk factor in most universities than is the receipt of Centrelink benefits (which may be seen as a proxy indicator for low socio-economic status). Analysis of responses to questions about the use and usefulness of student support interventions indicates that, in general, when students use personal support interventions these are mostly seen as very useful. However, data also indicate that many, and often the majority of, students have either not used or are not aware of the support services available. Practically, the project has delivered, and will continue to deliver, significant value to the higher education sector. On the basis of evidence from the project, partner universities have begun addressing high-value student retention issues and it is expected that this evidence will continue to influence institutional decision-making for several years beyond the life of the project. Dissemination activities external to partner universities, including publication of five journal articles and numerous workshops or presentations, have assisted staff in other universities to reflect upon issues critical to student retention in both first year and beyond. Further publication outcomes are expected. Critically, as indicated in the independent project evaluation, “the project has directed much needed attention to factors associated with attrition in later years of the student experience (second and third years) … facilitated discussion around frameworks for evidence-based institutional responses that constitute effective interventions … [and] reinforced the need for institutions to collect their own data on the student experience to inform individual institutional responses and interventions”

Factors affecting academic performance of international students in project management courses : a case study from a British Post 92 University

Original article can be found at : http://www.sciencedirect.com/ Copyright ElsevierThe aim of study is to investigate the factors affecting the academic performance of international students in Project Management courses. To achieve this aim, a conceptual framework including three categories of factors: (i) Teaching Style, (ii) English Language and Communication and (iii) Assessment Methods was developed and empirically tested on a sample of international students from a British Post 92 University. The results suggest that the factors: level of details given in lectures, speed of lectures, academic internet sources, English Language skills, group or individual assessment, the qualitative/quantitative content of assessment are important drivers of the academic performance of international students in Project ManagementPeer reviewe

Transforming educational experience for children, parents and teachers practitioner research from the CDI/NUIM Masters Programme 2013

The purpose of this action research thesis was to implement an evidence based initiative that could help better engage students in school. This research investigated factors that affected students' choice of Leaving Certificate Science subjects and devised actions that would enable and inform this choice. The factors affecting student choice were investigated using qualitative and quantitative methods of enquiry. The research was set against a drop in the numbers of students choosing science subjects for Leaving Certificate (Smyth and Hannan, 2006). The research took place in a community school in the south west area of Dublin.

Driving departmental change through evaluation: Some outcomes and problems

This paper identifies the ways in which a three‐year technology‐based learning and teaching project has addressed the issue of catalysing departmental change. In order to promote change at this level, it is necessary to relate the accepted learning and teaching parameters of specific disciplines to meaningful evaluation data of student and staff perceptions, in an attempt to broaden the understanding of academic staff. Thus, a number of factors become important to the process of change including: supportive role models within departments; forging feasible departmental implementation plans; utilizing support staff with a technical and pedagogical awareness; and fully involving students in curriculum development and design. Inhibitors to change also need to be noted, for instance: time‐management; resource and training allocation; and a lack of managerial support. However, the creation of a supportive structure which highlights good practice is fundamental in gaining uptake of materials and in changing perceptions. An acceptance of staff development needs in the light of the objectives of both the student and the curriculum is required This holistic approach provides a suitable environment for the symbiosis between learning and teaching to develop

Students’ Experience of The Honours’ Supervisory Relationship: A Preliminary Investigation

This study considers the role and intervention strategies adopted by supervisors at the Honours level from the student perspective, and their implications for student learning. Using an adaptation of the presage-process-product model for the supervisory setting and interview data from eight students enrolled in a Bachelor of Business Honours programme, we report two key findings. First, the largest gaps observed related predominantly to academic and validation roles. More specifically, students reported the need for supervisors to take on a greater mentoring, innovative and judgemental roles. Second, students preferred more facilitative interventions (e.g. more supportive and catalytic strategies) rather than authoritative interventions (such as prescriptive or confronting) as they promote confidence building and independence. The study concludes with a discussion of implications of the research for stakeholders in the supervisory process.

An evaluation of Simventure

This paper discusses the value of providing a simulated experience of how organisations work enabling skills and knowledge from disparate subject areas to be synthesised and assimilated in solving complex business proble

Mapping Child Well-Being in Duval County, FL

Analyzes the distribution of neighborhood, education, and health/environmental opportunity; impact on health and education outcomes; demographics of those in Children's Commission programs; and marginalized neighborhoods' conditions. Outlines strategies

Analizando los resultados académicos en la Educación Superior en España

The development of the European Higher Education Area has been a process of modernization in many universities. Teaching methodologies have undergone a process of continuous change to meet the demands for high quality leading to a need for enhancement in the learning assessment methodologies as well. The objective of this study is to analyse student´s academic performance measured through coursework vs. final exam and to ascertain the factors that could explain the difference. Regression and variance analysis are carried out over the grades and responses to a questionnaire on a sample of 298 students of different subjects in a Spanish university. The results show that there are differences between continuous assessment and the final examination marks.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad FFI2013-41235-

Improving student retention and achievement: what do we know and what do we need to find out?

Why do some students in post-compulsory education abandon courses? And why do others not achieve their full potential? What can colleges do to improve student retention and achievement? This report reviews the research done to date. Research about retention and achievement is examined under headings such as student motivation and decision-making, demographic factors, college-related issues, and advice and guidance. The review refers to previously inaccessible research, including unpublished reports from conferences and internal reports from institutions. In conclusion, priorities for future research and its application are identified