26th International Conference on the First Year Experience
Slide 1
Transitioning
Postgrad Coursework
Students
Issues and ideas for practical implementation
Roundtable Discussion
• Wednesday 19 June 2013 2:30pm –
3:30pm
• Ms Hilary Macleod
([email protected])
• Dr Ann Peterson
([email protected])
School of Geography, Planning and
Environmental Management
The University of Queensland
Brisbane, QLD, 4072
Australia
Multiple entry pathways (& different
experiences/knowledge/skills)
• From UG program (same or different
university)
• From professional practice (in same
discipline area)
• Career changers (entering a different
discipline area)
• After several years gap in academic
study
Slide 2
Our Context
Different transition needs
to undergraduates:
• More diverse cohort e.g.
48% International
students
• Little articulation
between undergraduate
programs and
postgraduate programs
• Multiple pathways to
professional degree
programs
Slide 3
Our Research
• Literature review
• Very little on PGCW context
• Action research
• Ongoing process/ cycle to
determine new priorities and
initiatives
• Focus Groups
• Before orientation
(expectations)
• End of semester (experiences)
June 17 – 20, Waikoloa, Hawaii.
26th International Conference on the First Year Experience
Slide 4
It just seems like a lot
How many different structures there
are
University systems
Different aca
system
New skills required. Critical
thinking
Academic practices
It just might be a bit out of
my league
I’m not a native speaker of English
Academic writing a
Getting a part
Balancing work
Financial
Lack of information about when things
happen
Time management
How to design a good degree
structure
Program structure
Standards/skill &
experience
Grades
awarded
•
•
Held the week before the start of the
semester;
12 students from 8 degree programs;
Independent facilitator.
I am feeling apprehensive
[about classes]
Confidence
Just staying alive with money
Slide 5
•
Focus Group 1: before orientation
Time commitment
Course choice
Content and skills required
Focus Group 2: end of semester
Friendships formed
Experience VS expectations a
the start
“there’s people in every class who I
can say ‘hi’ to”
“Thought that study would be more
difficult”
“My Wednesday friend”
“I like this system – didn’t feel quite
so stressed”
“a friend who is from a developed
country (they do not fit the
stereotype)”
“Way more work than I expected”
“The standards were lower but the
workload higher” (than expected)
7 of the 12 original Focus Group
participants took part
Questions addressed:
• What have you enjoyed most this
semester?
• A great friend you’ve made this
semester
• Plus, Minus, Interesting activities
• Support services/mechanisms
accessed
• Extra-curricula activities involved in
• New tasks/activities undertaken
• What helped you come to grips with
PG study?
• Anything that happened in non-study
life that had negative impact
• Any concerns about academic
standards and/or language skills
• Overall experience compared to
expectations
• What do you wish someone had told
you at the beginning of the semester
• If you could start semester again what
would you make sure you did
• Do you think you’ve changed over the
semester
• What advice would you give to PG
students starting next semester
• How would you rate your experience
this semester
• Other comments
June 17 – 20, Waikoloa, Hawaii.
26th International Conference on the First Year Experience
Rank the transition issues:
• Organisational expectations
• Key skills required
• Pedagogical issues & approaches
• Moving into new areas of study
• Limited time frames to address
transition issues
• Socialisation
• Cultural issues, isolation & poor
integration
• Work-life balance
• Time management
Slide 6
Slide 7
GPEM PGCW
Transition Program
Initiatives
Slide 8
•
GloBingo
Orientation Program
Find someone in the room who…..
A
Has travelled to
another country
B
Corresponds with
someone in another
country
E
• Invitation from Advanced Studies
Coordinator
• Preceded by campus tour by mentors
• Global Bingo Icebreaker
• General information for all students
–
–
–
–
–
Head of School welcome
School staff & facilities introduction
Library
Student Services
Transition and social initiatives
• Program break out groups
• Social function (Halal BBQ)
Has recently seen a
film set in another
country
F
Enjoys music from
another country
I
Can name a sports
star from another
country
K
Has met someone
recently from another
country
N
Owns a TV or other
appliance made in
another country
A
Has a r
in anoth
G
Has a friend or
neighbour who was
born in another
country
J
Drives a car made in
another country
M
Has seen a recent
newspaper story
about another
country
C
Can speak a
language other than
English
Enjoys
from an
O
Is wearing clothes
made in another
country
Can na
environ
C
B
Name
Name
Name
Name
Answer…
Answer…
Answer…
Answe
F
E
G
Name
Name
Name
Answer…
Answer…
Answer…
J
I
Name
Name
Answer…
Answer…
Answe
K
Name
Answer…
N
M
Name
Name
•
Has rea
in anoth
•
Integration of Postgrad Assist program
(campus tour) has proved successful.
Global bingo is ideal due to the
number of international students.
Social function is seen as culturally
and socially inclusive and has had
great feedback from staff and
students.
Answe
O
Name
Name
Name
Name
Answer…
Answer…
Answer…
Answe
June 17 – 20, Waikoloa, Hawaii.
26th International Conference on the First Year Experience
Objectives:
• Provide support to new GPEM
students with their transition to PGCW
study.
• Provide practical assistance and help
for settling in, utilising uni services,
social & professional networking
support/opportunities.
• Ensure students are fully adjusted and
engaged with their academic studies
and campus life.
Slide 9
Postgrad Assist
• Peer mentoring program
• Designed for
international and
domestic Postgraduate
Coursework (PGCW)
students enrolled in the
School of Geography,
Planning and
Environmental
Management (GPEM).
• It links 2nd and 3rd
semester PGCW student
Mentors with
commencing students in
each semester.
Slide 10
•
f2f academic skills workshops
Using Endnote in the Academic
Writing Process
Reflective Writing
• Designed and facilitated in conjunction
with Library Staff
• Designed and facilitated in conjunction w
Learning Advisor (Student Services)
• Objectives:
• Objectives:
– Why is the process of referencing important
and why use a referencing database?
– What is plagiarism and how can the use of
EndNote help develop good research habits
and good practice for avoiding plagiarism?
– How can I use EndNote effectively to develop
the skills required for academic writing?
– To understand the reflective writing proce
and how it differs from other genres of wr
– To recognise different types of reflective
writing tasks and respond to the expectati
of GPEM course assessment tasks
– To practise critiquing reflective writing
– To practise writing a basic reflection piece
• Certificates
• Certificates
• 2013: 90% of participants rated it as Good
or Very Good and all said they would
recommend the workshop to other
students.
• 2013: 80% of participants rated it as Goo
Very Good and 95% said they would
recommend the workshop to other stude
Slide 11
4GPEMPOSTGRADS
• Online using Ning social
network platform
Identified as key academic skills
required in transition by both students
and staff
Evaluated:
• Quantitative – tracking site traffic using
Google analytics
• Qualitative - survey
• Opt in, private,
invitation, secure from
spamming
• Professional and social
networking,
supplements official
academic information
June 17 – 20, Waikoloa, Hawaii.