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 – j.rattray@gcal.ac.uk

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