One ‘Step Ahead’ – One ‘Step Ahead’ – The Student Perspective on The Student Perspective on

Attending a Pre-enrolment Summer Attending a Pre-enrolment Summer School at Staffordshire UniversitySchool at Staffordshire University

Guy D. Collins

Project OfficerEFYE 9th May 2008

Overview:Overview:

Step Ahead project overviewProject outcomesProject contentAttendee demographics for 2007 cohortSample of quantitative dataThe ‘student voice’ from a student mentor perspectiveStudent evaluationsSample of qualitative dataAdditional ‘student voices’Future developmentsQuestions

Project Overview:Project Overview:

Delivered in summer 2007 as two 4 day residential summer schools at both main University campus sites Stoke-on-Trent & Stafford

Consisted of a structured day programme and optional evening social programmeIn 2007 randomly invited access – comparatively measured by a non invited control groupTotal of 230 students pre-booked to the funding capacityAdditional project ‘Flying Start’ targeted specifically local students

Project Outcomes:Project Outcomes:

Fundamentally - support students transition into Higher Education (major life changing experience)

To provide students with an orientation and familiarity with the organisation – its environment, services and people

To develop students self awareness of own abilities and areas for development

To support students develop a personal tool kit of knowledge and skills that they can rely upon particularly in their first year

Help support development of personal contacts, friendships, fostering social confidence

Promote the comparable conversion and retention levels of attendees

Produce underpinning evaluative research that provides evidence of the effectiveness of the model

Project Content:Project Content:

Delivery timing/format & aspects of content based upon approach of early engagement outlined by Jones et al = >conversion, retention and relative successSessions delivered by a series of lectures, workshops, exercises, and independent activities Delivered by series of key University personnel, project officer, together with a recruited cohort of existing students trained as student mentorsActual day sessions inclusive of:

Orientation exercisesExploring personal perceptions & expectationsNetworking and team workingPeer support from existing students (hearing their voice important as living the experience)Insight in to University expectations & processes inc of assessmentUniversity support servicesThe role of the Students Union Variety of study skills workshops inc of academic literature searching ,reading, & writing etcLiving skills inc of personal health well being, time and budget managementOpportunity to have face to face Q&A signposting to resolve issues – or how to deal with issues before they occur…

Demographics:Demographics:

FacultyorSchool

Not IdentifiedFaculty of Sciences

Law SchoolFaculty of Health

Faculty of Computing, Engineering

& Technology

Business School

Faculty of Arts, Media &

Design

Pe

rce

nt

50.0%

40.0%

30.0%

20.0%

10.0%

0.0%

MaleFemale

Gender

Demographics:Demographics:

Location Attended

Stoke

Stafford

Count Col % Count Col %

Ethnic Origin

White120 92.3% 65

87.8%

Black African1 .8% 1

1.4%

Black Caribbean3 2.3% 1

1.4%

Black Other 1

1.4%

Indian 1

1.4%

Asian Other1 .8% 1

1.4%

Other4 3.1% 3

4.1%

No Response Given 1 .8% 1 1.4%

Demographics:Demographics:

Location Attended

Stoke

Stafford

Count Col % Count Col %

Other Family Been to University

Parent/Guardian29 22.3% 18

24.3%

Spouse 1

1.4%

Son/Daughter2 1.5% 1

1.4%

Brother/Sister13 10.0% 11

14.9%

Extended Family3 2.3% 4

5.4%

None50 38.5% 18

24.3%

No Response Given 33 25.4% 21 28.4%

Sample of Quantitative Sample of Quantitative Data:Data:Conducted pre & post intervention test questionnaireSampling of all attendeesPre questionnaire completed as part of booking processPost questionnaire completed on closure of Step AheadQuestionnaire based around personal history; perceptions; expectations; awareness; personal confidenceMay be of value in future to examine via additional quantitative data analysis whether Step Ahead gave a true reflection and preparation for University post actual commencement – rather than short ‘rose tinted’ reflection – existing small scale qualitative data not reflective of this May be of value to do comparative research of non attendees (no intervention) – what are their ‘expectations’ – are these met & addressed, & how, do these change once commencing at UniversityStudents also tracked over first year – resulted in significant higher conversion figures (based on anticipated enrolments) & higher retention levels

Sample of Quantitative Sample of Quantitative Data:Data:‘I am clear & know exactly what to expect in terms of the University campus’ (pre & post)

Location Attended

StaffordStoke

Per

cen

t50.0%

40.0%

30.0%

20.0%

10.0%

0.0%

StaffordStoke StaffordStoke StaffordStoke StaffordStoke

Pre Q13 - I am clear & know exactly what to expect in terms of...The University campus

No Response Given

Strongly DisagreeDisagreeAgree

Strongly Agree

Location Attended

StaffordStoke

Per

cen

t

40.0%

30.0%

20.0%

10.0%

0.0%StaffordStoke StaffordStoke

Post Q49 - I am clear & know exactly what to expect in terms of...The University campus

DisagreeAgreeStrongly Agree

Sample of Quantitative Sample of Quantitative Data:Data:‘I am clear & know what to expect in terms of how I will be assessed’ (pre & post)

Location Attended

StaffordStoke

Per

cen

t40.0%

30.0%

20.0%

10.0%

0.0%StaffordStoke StaffordStoke StaffordStoke StaffordStoke

Pre Q17 - I am clear & know exactly what to expect in terms of...How I will be assessed

No Response Given

Strongly DisagreeDisagreeAgree

Strongly Agree

Location AttendedStaffordStoke

Per

cen

t

50.0%

40.0%

30.0%

20.0%

10.0%

0.0%StaffordStoke StaffordStoke StaffordStoke StaffordStoke

Post Q53 - I am clear & know exactly what to expect in terms of...How I will be assessed

No Response Given

Strongly DisagreeDisagreeAgree

Strongly Agree

Sample of Quantitative Sample of Quantitative Data:Data:‘I am clear & know exactly what to expect in terms of the overall University experience’ (pre & post)

No Response GivenStrongly DisagreeDisagreeAgreeStrongly Agree

Pre Q19 - I am clear & know exactly what to

expect in terms of...The overall University

experience

No Response Given

Strongly Disagree

Disagree

Agree

Strongly Agree

Post Q55 - I am clear & know exactly what

to expect in terms of...The overall University

experience

Student Evaluations:Student Evaluations:

Overall

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

Very Poor

Poor

Acceptable

Good

Very Good

Excellent

Ratin

g

Responses

Stafford

Stoke

Sample of Qualitative Data:Sample of Qualitative Data:

Qualitative data was collated during focus groups conducted in January 2008. Following content analysis of audio recordings and transcripts the key emergent themes included: organisational bonding; personal orientation; social cohesion and support; academic up-skilling; self development awareness.

Faculty of Computing, Engineering & Technology student: “…coming to Step Ahead reinforced my choice of definitely wanting to come here…that University life was for me…you only get a small glimpse on an open day…Step Ahead made me want to start here”.

Faculty of Arts Media & Design student: “I felt more confident…I wasn’t nervous driving home or thinking about coming back here…I would have been a lot more scared coming here if I hadn’t gone to Step Ahead”.

Faculty of Sciences student: “It decided it for me…because I didn’t really want to go to University…but I did after Step Ahead”.

Sample of Qualitative Data:Sample of Qualitative Data:

A few students additional comments captured post focus groups.

Future Developments:Future Developments:

Developed as a University Widening Participation initiative therefore specific groups priority invited for 2008Development of mentor preparation together with APEL opportunities for accredited mentoring qualificationsDevelopment of e-resources (June 08) together with e-booking for priority invitesUse of ‘Questback’ to capture research data electronically Further engagement with other Services (Student Advisers; Study Skills Centres; individual Faculties & Schools; Students Union)Flexibility within content – student able to tailor their own Step Ahead experienceExpand upon research and seek publication

Questions:Questions:

g.collins@staffs.ac.uk