Conference presentation
Connecting students to enhance early success in pathway programs
National Association of Enabling Educators of Australia (NAEEA) (Gold Coast, Queensland, 29/11/2017 - 01/12/2017)
30/11/2017
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Abstract
Despite the growth of pathway programs such as Diplomas, there has been little research on students’ experience in these programs. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a support strategy offered to pathway students within Southern Cross University College. This strategy consists of two key components: weekly workshops and a closed Facebook group. Students participated in a short online survey once each year over three years (2015-2017) to determine their awareness and experience of these two strategies, as well</p><p>as obtain feedback to further improve these initiatives. Survey respondents (N=181, 29.6% response rate, 36% domestic, 62% international, 2% not disclosed) were primarily Business and Health pathway students. Survey responses were analysed and used to (i) inform strategies to enhance the support being offered and (ii) articulate findings of subsequent analyses. Over seven study sessions, 631 students (22% domestic, 78% international) enrolled in a core pathway unit, within which workshops were timetabled. Regression analyses, correlations, and t-tests were performed to analyse the extent to which workshop attendance contributed towards students’ (i) achievement in the core unit and (ii) grade point average (GPA) within a study session. Preliminary findings suggest that workshop attendance may explain up to 67% of variation in students’ final core unit score and up to 68% of variation in their GPA. Students attending workshops also tended to achieve higher final unit scores and GPAs than those who did not attend the workshops. Students generally reported both the Facebook page and workshops useful in terms of providing additional academic support and an opportunity to connect with other students. While these preliminary results suggest participation in SCU College support strategies positively influence students’ success in their first session of study, additional analysis is required to further inform support strategies, particularly for International students.
Details
- Title
- Connecting students to enhance early success in pathway programs
- Creators
- Michael Brickhill (Author) - Southern Cross University, SCU CollegeSue Muloin (Author) - Southern Cross University, SCU College
- Conference
- National Association of Enabling Educators of Australia (NAEEA) (Gold Coast, Queensland, 29/11/2017 - 01/12/2017)
- Identifiers
- 991013214212802368
- Academic Unit
- SCU College
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Conference presentation