Supporting The Student Journey Into Higher Education

This book will provide an in-depth look at the development, functionality and appeal of pre-arrival platforms to aid transition into higher education, including a range of provisions. Ensuring a smooth transition into higher education study is increasingly seen as key to both retention and success, both in the initial weeks of study and beyond. Pre-arrival platforms offer students a range of opportunities, which might include the chance to familiarise themselves with the practices and policies of their new institution before teaching begins. This book will explore these platforms from three different angles: their development, use and appeal to diverse audiences in higher education, and case studies illustrating their incorporation into practice. It will provide a comprehensive overview of not only the different ways in which such platforms add value to the transition process but also the way they embrace diversity and widening participation in higher education from the very beginning of an individual’s higher education career. With chapters written by individuals from a variety of roles in higher education, this text will also provide the reader an insight into issues arising from the use of these platforms. It will be essential reading for educational, academic and staff developers working with departments and their institutions to develop their support structure for new students as well as for those directly involved in widening access/participation programmes.

The landscape of higher education (HE) has dramatically altered in the past 30 years and it continues to evolve and change. More students are entering HE and attending university or college on a global scale than ever before. Supporting and enhancing the undergraduate student experience across the student lifecycle, from first contact through to alumni, is a critical activity in higher education today not only to aid retention and progression but in a highly competitive HE market, the quality of the student experience is pivotal to an institution’s ability to attract students. The student experience encompasses all aspects of student life, i.e. academic, social, welfare, with the academic imperative at the heart of it. However, the increasing costs of delivering HE, a reduction in government/ state funding and constraints on resources means delivering a quality student experience has never been more challenging for those working in HE. Staff at all levels, and across all areas within an institution, are developing and implementing initiatives to improve and enhance the student experience whether they are at the coal face or on the periphery thus making them a ‘Practitioner’ in the student experience. This could include the admissions administrator improving the information available for potential applicants; the academic improving his/her feedback to students or central welfare departments ensuring that their services are being advertised and supported within a student’s home unit (faculty/department/school/course). In this book, the Editor, Michelle Morgan describes how her new student experience ‘Practitioner Model’ provides an organised and more detailed structure; guiding Practitioners in the identification of what they have to deliver, who they need to deliver it to and when they need to deliver it across her six key stages of the student lifecycle: · First Contact and Admissions; · Pre-arrival; · Arrival and Orientation; · Induction to Study; · Reorientation and Reinduction (Returners' Induction) · Outduction (preparation for life after undergraduate study). The Practioner Model offers a new way of thinking in terms of delivering ‘interlinked’ academic, welfare and support activities at the home unit and university level to support the student in their university journey. This book also provides working solutions to real problems in the form of exemplar case studies from the UK and internationally, including chapters from Liz Thomas, Di Nutt, Marcia Ody, Chris Keenan(UK), Mary Stuart Hunter, (USA), Kerri-Lee Krause and Duncan Nulty (Australia). Good practice must be adaptable and transferable because one size does not fit all. It must also be cost effective. And here the authors shows how practitioners can adapt and customise the 40 case studies presented to help them not only improve and enhance the experience of their undergraduate students in their own institution (both full and part-time) but also to support their students’ progression and retention.

Supporting Student Diversity in Higher Education is a working manual that is designed to help managers, academics and members of the professional service teams within universities, recruit and support a diverse student body across the student lifecycle at the same time as delivering a quality student experience in a challenging and pressured environment. Using the Student Experience Practitioner Model as a framework, this book helps colleagues responsible for improving the student experience navigate their way through the maze of student diversity across all levels of study, determining what to deliver, how to deliver it and to whom. It interlinks academic, welfare and support activities at faculty department, school, course and university level to support the student in their university journey. Containing 40 practical and innovative undergraduate UK and international case studies from across 12 countries spanning four continents, this book provides practical examples of recruiting and supporting a diverse student body. It includes initiatives to support: mature students (e.g. academic re-engagement); students with special needs (e.g. dyslexia and other disabilities); international students (e.g. language support requirements); students at risk (e.g. lower socio-economic groups, care leavers, male learners); Transfer and direct entry students (e.g. supporting students through this transition); individual learners and their learning needs (impact of personality on learning); students who support students (e.g. peer support). This book will be of great use to senior and middle administrative managers and academics involved in the recruitment, retention and progression of students; and also to anyone involved in education policy and students aiming to work in higher education.

About the book: This book is a compilation of scholarly papers, some of which have been published via ERIC, whose purpose is to inform and educate future doctorate students of what to expect in this program.

Transition In, Through and Out of Higher Education: International Case Studies and Best Practice recognises that the initial steps into undergraduate education mark only the beginning of the journey for students, and that the journey involves other significant transition points that students need to negotiate. By providing theoretical knowledge alongside practical guidance and resources, this book helps those involved in university teaching guide students through their experiences and develop into autonomous, reflective learners. Putting student engagement at the centre of teaching, Transition In, Through and Out of Higher Education: International Case Studies and Best Practice includes case studies to illuminate best practice, with resources and activities that can be used and adapted to address the individual needs of students. Addressing a wide range of themes, it considers: active learning promoting engagement encouraging independence and autonomy coping with change and increasing complexity the need for belonging and identity social and academic integration developing partnership working evaluation of effectiveness of developments to teaching practice. From exploring the underlying pedagogy related to the theme to identifying the major challenges for students at key transitional points, Transition offers a comprehensive grounding to generate and inspire creative teaching that in turn enables students to better engage in the transition process. A highly practical and accessible resource, this book is suitable for all higher education staff involved in supporting students' transition in, through and out of university.

“Renowned as a leading practitioner and voice of wisdom and reason, Annie Grant now shares her insight with those who are still on their professional journey within the higher education student experiential services through her writing. I commend this book to everyone who works in, or wants to really understand, the world of higher education in the UK today.” —Jayne Aldridge, Chairperson of AMOSSHE, The Student Services Organisation 2017-2021, and Director for the Student Experience, University of Sussex, UK This book examines the aspirations, challenges and experiences of contemporary university students through the eyes and ears of those who provide professional advisory services. Providing an overview of the growth of the UK higher education sector in general and that of student advisory provision in particular, the author highlights the breadth and depth of the role that professional advisory staff now play in the higher education landscape. The volume addresses student academic and career success and their wellbeing, stressing the importance of understanding and respecting the diversity of the student body. In doing so, it emphasises the value of envisioning universities as inclusive and safe communities that challenge discrimination, prejudice and bullying, and the importance of proactive initiatives that help students to develop self-confidence and resilience. The author addresses other important but less frequently discussed matters, such as the impact of the marketization of higher education, alcohol and drug abuse and the ethical and moral values of higher education.

This book provides practical examples of how students could be engaged in high-impact practices to support student retention and success. It is a good resource for Higher Education institutions making use of students in peer support initiatives. It aims to provide support for academics and professional units that are involved in student peer support initiatives. It also encourages readers to engage in critical inquiry into holistic student care and development to advance student success and retention.