Parallel sessions 6

Session 1: Prior-HE preparedness - A1

- [paper 2] The development of learning strategies in higher education: impact of gender and prior educationGert Vanthournout (Artesis Plantijn University College)

Material: presentation

This study investigates how gender and prior education impact on students’ learning strategy use at the start of higher education and on the development in use during higher education. Results indicate that students initially differ in learning strategy use according to pre-entry variables. Moreover, higher education was unable to remedy initial differences in our sample.

Key wordsResearch on FYE, Student perspective, Transition from highschool/college to HE

- [paper 55] Differences in secondary school students’ university readiness. A latent profile analysis - Els C. M. van Rooij (University of Groningen)

We found five secondary school student profiles that each have its own strengths and weaknesses regarding university readiness. Distinguishing students on characteristics of university readiness will provide secondary school teachers with tools to prepare students better for university and universities with information on how to improve students’ first-year experience. 

Key words: Pre-entry, Student diversity, Study Skills, Transition from highschool/college to HE

Session 2: Student perspective - A5

- [paper 42] Mature Students: Retention Begins Before Entry - Ronan Murphy, Thomond Coogan (University College Dublin)

Material: presentation

This session evaluates interventions and supports designed to assist and promote persistence/retention for mature students entering undergraduate degrees in UCD and evaluates how successful our interventions have been in promoting persistence for mature students as Ireland’s Higher Education Authority demands an increased percentage of mature students in higher education. Our data shows our supports assist mature students so that they are comfortable and persist to degree in a Higher Education environment. 

Key words: Belonging (socially, academic), Induction (Orientation), Learning communities, Peer mentoring, Pre-entry, Research on FYE, Residential students, Retention, Social cohesion, Student diversity, Student perspective, Study Skills

Session 3: Autism - A2

- [paper 12] Young adults with autism spectrum disorder in the transition into higher educationValérie Van Hees (Artevelde University College Ghent, Ghent University)

In this session we discuss insights from recent research on young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their parents in the transition into higher education. We will formulate answers to the following questions: What challenges do students with ASD and their parents face in the transition into higher education? How do they navigate this transition as a family? What guidance can be offered in this transition? How to deal with parent involvement?

Key words: Counselling, Parents, Student diversity, Transition from highschool/college to HE 

- [paper 26] From hiding in the toilets to Enid Blyton adventures - supporting the transition of first year students with autism; an evaluation. - Gareth Hughes (University of Derby)

Materials: presentation, abstract

This paper will report on a mixed-methods study to evaluate a programme of transition support for students with autism. The paper will explore early student experiences and challenges, identify key considerations in constructing effective support and reflect on the apparent success of this project which significantly reduced withdrawal rates.

Key words: Belonging (socially, academic), Health and well-being, Transition from highschool/college to HE

Session 4: Leadership - L01.07

- [workshop 25] LeadershipTango: a succesful and fun approach to help students to understand Leadership and Followership - Joseph Roevens (NHTV)

Materials: article 1, article 2,  feedback form, YouTube, Facebook, contact, channel 

In this workshop, we will get to the core of what leadership in fact is: the art of leading and following, and the interplay between these two phenomena. We will do so by combining a few academic findings with an observation of how YOU lead and follow in actual practice... following the rhythm of the Argentinian tango! Don't worry: this is not a dance class. You will only be asked to move ... 

Key words: Active learning, Belonging (socially, academic), Health and well-being, Induction (Orientation), International students, Peer mentoring, Social cohesion, Student perspective, Students as partners

Session 5: Study coaching - L01.10

- [workshop 61] The effectiveness of study coaching during the first year of higher education - Dorien Noyens, Vincent Donche, Veerle Vanoverberghe (University of Antwerp (Edubron), Artevelde University College)

Material: presentation

First-year students of the Artevelde University College (Ghent) are systematically coached during their first months of academic integration in higher education. Study coaches monitor study progress and provide academic support to all first-year students. Students are coached during individual and group sessions, fostering study skills, reflection skills and study motivation. A longitudinal survey study investigated the effectiveness of these coaching strategies. Based on key questions and statements drawn from Self-determination Theory, this workshop aims to stimulate participants to critically reflect on the results of the research project and to discuss the implications for more autonomy support, structure and relatedness in the daily practice of study coaching.

 Key words: Counselling, Peer mentoring, Research on FYE, Retention, Student perspective, Transition from highschool/college to HE

Session 6: Grit - L01.11

- [workshop 143] Interviews with 'Gritty' Students: The Role of Grit in student success and retentionChathurika Kannangara, Dr. Emily McIntosh (University of Bolton)

This session will explore the concept of 'grit' and current applications of grit in higher education. Session aims to introduce to colleagues some original tools for the assessment of grit and resilience and encourage discussion about their practical application. Colleagues will be invited to share their own experiences and debate the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to implementing these assessment methods in a higher education context. Secondly this workshop will also introduce real-life case studies, for discussion, showcasing different types of students, their journey through higher education and data about their “grit” scores. The case studies will provide colleagues with an opportunity to explore the practical application of grit and resilience tests for undergraduates and to evaluate the impact of different student experience interventions designed to improve student grit and resilience.

Key wordsHealth and well-being, Induction (Orientation), Retention

Session 7: Peer mentors - L01.05

- [workshop 1] Success with Peer Mentors to aid in transition, motivate learning and enhance the first year experience! - Lori Pollock (University of Saskatchewan)

Materials: presentation, hand book, appendix 1, appendix 2

Students as Peer Mentors: The value of mentorship to aid in transition, motivate learning and enhance the first year experience. This session will provide an overview of our large Peer Mentor Program, 70 mentors within a Learning Communities Model that serves over 900 first year students. You will learn about our; design, delivery, recruitment, interview process, selection, placement, training and more. The workshop portion will allow participants to be involved in the planning aspects to create a Peer Mentor Program. 

Key wordsActive learning, Belonging (socially, academic), Commuter (or local) students, Health and well-being, Induction (Orientation), International students, Learning communities, Peer mentoring, Retention, Service learning/volunteering, Social cohesion, Student diversity, Student perspective, Students as partners, Study Skills, Transition from highschool/college to HE, Transition to second year/masters, Work and study

Session 8: Entrepreneurs and service learning - L01.08

- [show and tell 24] How to realize your dream while studying? ARTEpreneur = the answer!Jelle Van Roosbroeck,An Boone (Artevelde University College)

Artevelde University College has set up a pilot project: a cooperative enterprise as a structure in which start-up enterprises created by students can develop and grow in a supporting and safe business environment. This cooperative enterprise is built with other partners in the field. The general idea is to create a learning environment for the student entrepreneur who wants to combine studying with his start up.

Key wordsActive learning, Commuter (or local) students, Counselling, Learning communities, Social cohesion, Students as partners, Work and study

- [show and tell 14] Teaching entrepreneurship as career development in the first year experienceLance Kahn, Jose Hernandez (Zayed University)

The session will explain the development and evaluation of Zayed University’s Introduction to Entrepreneurship & Innovation as an FYE requirement for all enrolled students. The speakers will present the motivation for the course, the content development, and student response to the course.

Key wordsCurriculum

- [show and tell 60] Community Service Learning@Ghent University - Guillaume Tuytschaever (Ghent University)

Community Service Learning is a teaching methodology that encourages social engagement of students within academic curricula. This methodology is applicable to introduce first-year students to civic responsibility and personal development during their education.

Key words: Active learning, Service learning/volunteering