How to grow yourself? A study of student learning behaviours and matters relating to personal

development - career management

Dr Emma Heron

Richard McCarter

Initial analysis and an overarching theme - student engagement relates to students' perspectives of 'relevance' :

Theme - relevance in Self awareness in Non Academic way materials/content/approach (students) -

Tutor - "a lot of them didn't turn up because they didn't see the relevance of it"…

Tutor - "we want them to reach some fulfilment of the self and not just the mechanics…...."

Theme - relevance and subject route choice

Tutor - " Attitude to the module is dependent on which subject they are taking "

Theme - relevance and value placed on part time work versus work related learning

Tutor - "Those already with work could see the relevance of the module and those without work see the module as extra work.."

Continuation of same theme with emphasis on relevance of seminars

- seminar activity (paper tower building)didn't like participation/not relevant

Tutor - "Older students have already been through it and don't want to look embarrassed…"

- seminar activity (article on looking for job and interview questions and covering letters) Really enjoyed talking in a group about covering letters as part of a seminar

- blog/diary – students don’t see the relevance of it – and reflection is not strongfelt like they were often just waffling, some bits ok and interesting to see how they had progressed, but waffled to fill up word count

Did not understand the point about reflection, ended up making up blogs to fill word count

Did not see the point of the assessments in semester two - was unable to be motivated to apply for a fake job, and did not see the point in writing a CV

Hands-on & experiential

Academic (non practical)

Continuum - visual interpretation of students difficulties of relating to skills development and 'learning' compared to an academic/theoretical content

To continue.

Theme - Reflection

Theme - Self Awareness

Theme - 'How to grow yourself'

What we've learnt …..

Level 5 and level 6 differences

Participation (more engaging?)

Students not getting it