Understanding the information needs of users of public information about higher education

Report to HEFCE by Oakleigh Consulting and Staffordshire University. "This study's aims were to carry out research into understanding the needs of intended users (primarily prospective students but with some focus on their advisors and employers) of public information on higher education (HE). The work focussed on England, but also took into account Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland where relevant." - Page 1

Knowing Where to Study? Fees, Bursaries and Fair Access

This study investigates the impact of financial considerations on sixteen to twenty year-old students’ decisions about participation in higher education. It focuses on intentions to live at home whilst studying at university and the extent to which bursaries influence institutional choice. The results are based on questionnaire and interview data drawn from a large sample of school and college students from two large urban areas in the Midlands

Dispelling the myths of online education: learning via the information superhighway

There continues to be a perception that online education is inferior to traditional education. In the U.S. online learning is more developed than in the U.K. This paper provides insights into a U.S. provision and takes a close look at what are perceived as weaknesses of on line learning and argues that these are not necessarily inherent weaknesses of this form of educational delivery. Then, results of two major studies, undertaken in the U.S. are provided comparing the effectiveness of online education to traditional education as perceived by current MBA students and past graduates. Results of these studies suggest that students of MBA modules and MBA graduates perceive the quality and effectiveness of online education to be similar to, if not higher than, the quality and effectiveness of traditional modules and programmes

Runx proteins regulate Foxp3 expression

Runx proteins are essential for hematopoiesis and play an important role in T cell development by regulating key target genes, such as CD4 and CD8 as well as lymphokine genes, during the specialization of naive CD4 T cells into distinct T helper subsets. In regulatory T (T reg) cells, the signature transcription factor Foxp3 interacts with and modulates the function of several other DNA binding proteins, including Runx family members, at the protein level. We show that Runx proteins also regulate the initiation and the maintenance of Foxp3 gene expression in CD4 T cells. Full-length Runx promoted the de novo expression of Foxp3 during inducible T reg cell differentiation, whereas the isolated dominant-negative Runt DNA binding domain antagonized de novo Foxp3 expression. Foxp3 expression in natural T reg cells remained dependent on Runx proteins and correlated with the binding of Runx/core-binding factor β to regulatory elements within the Foxp3 locus. Our data show that Runx and Foxp3 are components of a feed-forward loop in which Runx proteins contribute to the expression of Foxp3 and cooperate with Foxp3 proteins to regulate the expression of downstream target genes

A case study of preloading in peat using finite element method with plaxis software

Peat is categorized as problematic soil because it has low shear strength and high compressibility, which are not suitable for construction. Peat covers 13% of Sarawak land where most major roads are constructed. Therefore, it is necessary to find suitable alternatives to improve the strength since nowadays lands are very expensive and very limited. Preloading using sand has been a popular technique of peat ground improvement for road sub base in Sarawak. This study presents the effect of pre loading in peat using finite element method using PLAXIS software to model stage construction of a preloading embankment and associated consolidation settlement and pore pressure dissipation characteristics. Two cases are generated with differences in the boundary conditions and compared while using the same material properties, stage of constructions and consolidation analyses as well as coarseness mesh in a plain strain model. From the cases analyzed, it is clear that the pore pressure disperses with open boundary condition at the bottom of peat, and the rate consolidation settlement faster compared to the case where closed boundary condition at the bottom of peat. In conclusion, the pore pressure will disperse provided there is open boundary condition and it does not lead to large difference in consolidation settlement, and different coarseness in the sub base mesh generation will give different failure mechanism. Therefore, real parametric of peat properties should be used for future research

Developing effective Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) to support informed HE decision making among young people. List of Information, Advice and Guidance resources

The project brought together researchers and school practitioners to develop IAG materials to support informed decision-making in young people, particularly those from more disadvantaged backgrounds. Outputs include a set of piloted and evaluated resources for use in schools. The resource bank is intended to be a useful addition to an Information, Advice and Guidance programme which includes access to careers guidance professionals, rather than be used as a programme in itself

IAG for Mature Students – List of Resource Artefacts

Developing effective Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) to support informed HE decision making by mature students. Consultancy work commissioned by Staffordshire University's Widening Participation Fund. This project brought together researchers and practitioners to develop IAG materials to support informed decision-making amongst mature students who are potential HE entrants. Includes the views of potential mature students in colleges and charities such as the Prince’s Trust. Outputs include a set of piloted and evaluated resources

Road Safety Manual for the Taxi Industry

The Road Safety Manual for the Taxi Industry developed by QUT’s Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety – Queensland with funding from the Motor Accident Insurance Commission and input from the Taxi Council of Queensland gives all Queensland taxi drivers access to a standardised safety-related framework that highlights key hazards and risks to the industry

Student finance, information and decision making

Since the recent changes in the system of student finance in England, studies focusing on the impact of increased debt and the effect of the bursary system have concluded that the chances of achieving stated policy objectives in relation to widening and increasing levels of participation have been reduced. This study considers the full financial package rather than particular elements, using survey data collected soon after students are expected to apply to university. The study finds that many students do not take into account the ‘financial package’ when making decisions on whether to apply and which university to apply to. They appear to be just as ignorant of grants and loans as bursaries; a large proportion of students with a perceived family income that would have entitled them to a full or partial maintenance grant did not consider themselves eligible (42 and 53% respectively). Students seem to have got the message that going to university is costly and will leave them in debt, but in many cases they do not have the information on what may moderate the costs for them. It will only be possible for policy to work if support can be provided that effectively influences the decision heuristics of students

Developing effective Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) to support informed HE decision making by mature students.

Consultancy work commissioned by Staffordshire University's Widening Participation Fund. Brings together researchers and practitioners to develop IAG materials to support informed decision-making amongst mature students who are potential HE entrants. Includes the views of potential mature students in colleges and charities such as the Prince’s Trust. Outputs include a set of piloted and evaluated resources