Dr Julie Rattray Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences School of Life Sciences

1. Extended Subject Specific InductionA multistranded approach to early student engagement, social integration and student transition Dr Julie Rattray Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences School of Life Sciences Glasgow Caledonian University

2. Project Background Increasingly diverse student intake Increased 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 %

3. 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 delivery • Refs • 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]. • Thomas, L. et al. (2005) Smoothing the transition. Academy Exchange, 1, pp. 26-27. • Wingate, U. (2007) A Framework for Transition: Supporting ’Learning to Learn’ in Higher Education. Higher Education Quarterly, 61 (3), pp. 391-405.

4. Objectives of Project To 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” • Refs • 1. 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)

5. 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 Obligation Refs 1. 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

8. Pre-Induction Activities 1 BIORAMA 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

9. interested in a career in . . . • Biomedical Science • Human Nutrition & Dietetics • Forensics • Food Bioscience • Pharmacology BiORAMA

10. 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

11. 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 – 12pm Room C226 • MONDAY 31st AUGUST 2 – 4pm Room C226 • WEDNESDAY 2nd SEPTEMBER 10 – 12pm Room C226 • FRIDAY 4th SEPTEMBER 2 - 4pm Room C226 • TUESDAY 8th SEPTEMBER 11 – 1pm Room C226 • THURSDAY 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

13. Pre-Induction Activities 3 Learning 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

14. 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

15. Induction Week Activities 1 First 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

16. 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.

17. Induction Week Activities 2 Academic Development • Case Studies • Student Expectations • Student Responsibilities • Student Commitment • Student Support

18. CASE STUDY 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.

21. 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

22. Induction Week Activities 4 Induction Week Project Lab based group exercise and poster presentation Facilitated by student guiders/mentors IT INDUCTION H&S INDUCTION POSTER PRESENTATION GROUP WORK LAB SKILLS LIBRARY INDUCTION PEER SUPPORT

26. Induction Week Activities 5 Induction Consolidation • 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

27. I come from • West of Scotland • East of Scotland • Northern Scotland • England/Wales • Overseas

28. The number of hours I should spend on independent study each week is • 10 • 20 • 30 • 40

29. Which of the following features is first present in the developing foetus at 4 months? • Webbed feet • Fingernails • A heart • A moustache

31. Induction Week Activities Developments for 2010 • Adapt and integrate Week 0 Induction programme into new University Academic Calendar.

32. Core Curriculum Development Introduction of Practical Skills Modules - Sept 2010 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.

33. Progress So Far Positive student feedback Improvement in student attendance Student retention has improved First diet module pass rates have improved

34. Thanks to Dr Karen Keith – SLS Lecturer Dr Alistair Corbett – SLS Senior Lecturer Nuala Toman – Former SLS Academic Development Tutor BIO Year 1 students GCU Scholars Programme GCU Moving Forward Initiative