Headstrong Online Program Dr Nancey Hoare, USQ School of Psychology and Counselling Belinda Cameron, USQ Marketing and Student Attraction The First in Family Project (Phase 2) is funded through the Commonwealth Government's Higher Education Participation and Partnership Program (HEPPP) in 2016, to improve the access, participation and success of students from communities under-represented in higher education. CRICOS QLD00244B NSW 02225M TEQSA:PRF12081 Project Team Dr Nancey Hoare Rebecca McSwiney Nikki White CRICOS QLD00244B NSW 02225M TEQSA:PRF12081 Belinda Cameron Jessica Thornton Clare Sanders Collaboration USQ Online Marketing + USQ School of Psychology and Counselling = Shared vision CRICOS QLD00244B NSW 02225M TEQSA:PRF12081 Collaboration Headstrong Online Program What is First in Family (FiF)? The first person in one’s immediate family to attend university CRICOS QLD00244B NSW 02225M TEQSA:PRF12081 Did you know? 51% of Australian university students identify as FiF OECD. (2012). Education at a glance 2012: OECD indicators. OECD Publishing CRICOS QLD00244B NSW 02225M TEQSA:PRF12081 In Australia, 26% of FiF students consider leaving university within their first year of study … 34% for later year students … Source: Coates, H., & Ransom, L. (2011). Dropout DNA, and the genetics of effective support. AUSSE Research Briefings, Volume 11, (1-16). CRICOS QLD00244B NSW 02225M TEQSA:PRF12081 At USQ Source: Higher Education Information Management Systems (HEIMS) data, Department of Education and Training CRICOS QLD00244B NSW 02225M TEQSA:PRF12081 Phase 1, 2015 FiF market research … • Market research report, including environmental scanning • 21 focus groups • 15 semi-structured, recorded interviews • 2 on-campus school-leaver events • 2 webinars CRICOS QLD00244B NSW 02225M TEQSA:PRF12081 Common themes emerged • University processes • Family and friends • Self-confidence and resilience CRICOS QLD00244B NSW 02225M TEQSA:PRF12081 Phase 2, 2016 • Creation and dissemination of microsite www.firsttouni.com.au • Design of 30 online resources drafted in 2015 • Landing page on USQ website for current FiF students • Headstrong online program (current students) CRICOS QLD00244B NSW 02225M TEQSA:PRF12081 CRICOS QLD00244B NSW 02225M TEQSA:PRF12081 Headstrong Online Program • • • 8 August - 2 September FiF, first year, undergraduate USQ current domestic students Enhancing students’ first year transition to university, ultimately assisting to increase retention CRICOS QLD00244B NSW 02225M TEQSA:PRF12081 Headstrong online program Delivered via: • • USQ Moodle Site Closed Facebook group Content adapted from the 'ACT Now’ manual written by Joseph Ciarrochi John Blackledge, Linda Bilich, Danielle Feros, and Lisbeth Lane, with permission from Joseph Ciarrochi. THANK YOU! CRICOS QLD00244B NSW 02225M TEQSA:PRF12081 Headstrong online program 6 self-paced online modules: https://open.usq.edu.au/course/view.php?id=244 CRICOS QLD00244B NSW 02225M TEQSA:PRF12081 Current Students To support FiF current students, a page on USQ Social Hub was created, social.usq.edu.au/fif. CRICOS QLD00244B NSW 02225M TEQSA:PRF12081 CRICOS QLD00244B NSW 02225M TEQSA:PRF12081 Headstrong Participation Rates 71 registered and completed the Baseline Survey 60 enrolments in Headstrong (85% conversion) 59 (98%) students engaged with the Headstrong materials 37 completed the Follow-up survey (47.9% attrition rate) CRICOS QLD00244B NSW 02225M TEQSA:PRF12081 Baseline Survey Demographics (N=71) Gender: Male = 13, Female = 58 Receiving Centrelink = 39 Prior mindfulness training = 10 Age: Range 17-55 (M=32, SD=10) Relationship Status: Partnered = 41 Dependent children: 1 or more = 38 Cultural background: Indigenous = 2, NESB = 14 Study Mode: ONC=33, ONL=16, EXT=14, Comb=8 Employment: 42 working, range 5-55 hrs/wk (M=23, SD=14, N=38) Net f/n household income: <$1000 = 28; between $1000 and $2000 = 29, >$2000 = 14 Current mindfulness practice = 7 CRICOS QLD00244B NSW 02225M TEQSA:PRF12081 Baseline Survey Summary (N=71) Variables Sense of Capability Sense of Purpose Sense of Resourcefulness Sense of Connection Sense of Identity M SD Min Max 18.42 23.00 19.14 27.86 10.86 3.45 3.29 3.30 3.81 1.79 8 15 12 20 6 29 30 27 41 15 Poss Range 6-30 6-30 6-30 9-45 3-15 Satisfaction and Engagement 11.58 1.55 8 15 3-15 Resilience Stress Competency Stress Vulnerability Psychological Inflexibility Committed Action Self-Efficacy Career Adaptability 17.37 16.25 25.73 26.65 70.83 28.48 82.65 5.60 2.60 4.59 9.88 11.75 4.99 15.62 6 11 16 7 46 16 49 27 23 35 47 95 38 117 6-30 5-25 7-35 7-49 18-108 10-40 24-120 Paired-Sample T-Tests (N=37) Variable Psychological Flexibility Committed Action Resilience Stress Vulnerability Stress Competency Self-Efficacy Career Adaptability Total Career Concern Career Control Career Curiosity Career Confidence Five Senses of Success at University: Sense of Capability Sense of Purpose Sense of Resourcefulness Sense of Connection Sense of Identity Satisfaction & Engagement at uni T1 Mean 29.36 73.27 18.15 25.67 16.39 28.7 84.52 21.09 21.61 21.27 20.55 T2 Mean 33.73 75.15 20.24 23.61 17.61 30.39 89.45 21.79 22.97 21.91 22.79 18.3 23.67 19.64 28.27 10.97 11.94 18.97 24.18 20.03 29.21 11.33 11.85 MDiff 4.37*** 1.88 2.09* -2.06** 1.22* 1.69* 4.93 0.7 1.36 0.64 2.24* 0.67 0.51 0.39 0.94 0.36 -0.09 %Diff 15% 3% 12% 8% 7% 6% 6% 3% 6% 3% 11% 4% 2% 2% 3% 3% 1% Qualitative feedback - forums Headstrong online forums have provided a great place for students to connect. Examples of feedback received on the forums: “I think it’s excellent that the university is providing this type of course for first year students and first in family. University is daunting, even for mature age students who may have some of these skills in their toolkit already.” CRICOS QLD00244B NSW 02225M TEQSA:PRF12081 Qualitative feedback - forums “The information provided has helped me already begin to filter through some doubts and help me clarify the expectations of myself.” “Already I have found I have changed my actions, and made different decisions based on the first module. Very interesting to have these things analysed, gives a deeper understanding.” CRICOS QLD00244B NSW 02225M TEQSA:PRF12081 Qualitative feedback - forums “… I've found it very easy to navigate through this program. The Youtube clips of actual real life USQ students from a broad range of backgrounds and ages has been helpful as it helps me to relate to everyone’s situations and feel that I am not the only person on this planet that experiences what and how I'm feeling. There are some very useful and realistic tactics and ways to get through situations so I'm very grateful for this program.” CRICOS QLD00244B NSW 02225M TEQSA:PRF12081 Qualitative feedback - forums “Well done for creating this program. I think it is very beneficial, encouraging and motivating.” “Reading that gave me goosebumps. This module has been fantastic for me, I wish I had these strategies in my tool belt about 10 years ago.” CRICOS QLD00244B NSW 02225M TEQSA:PRF12081 Qualitative feedback - forums “… the couple of hours invested in Module One has already had a positive impact on realigning why I am here and reenergizing my efforts, right when they were at risk. The videos that include actual graduated students talking about their lived experience are truly helpful. I imagine that there are a lot of elements to this course that would be beneficial to others students that are not first in family, particularly mature-aged and working students (such as myself).” CRICOS QLD00244B NSW 02225M TEQSA:PRF12081 Closed Facebook group Interaction on the Headstrong Closed Facebook group has also been fantastic. CRICOS QLD00244B NSW 02225M TEQSA:PRF12081 Closed Facebook group “I am so proud to be first in family to attend University. Growing up in my family no emphasis was put on education and we grew up accepting that dead end jobs are good enough. Well... not being one to ever listen to the parents...lol.. I have broken the mould! And am so proud of my son who is following in my footsteps and is here at USQ too! He never would have if I didn't bust a move. 😄” “It's (Headstrong) helped me to … create new support networks on avenues I wouldn't normally engage in.” CRICOS QLD00244B NSW 02225M TEQSA:PRF12081 Closed Facebook group “Thank you Headstrong for giving me a new view and strategies to help me evolve!” “I am proud as I was the first to graduate year 12 and now tackling University.” CRICOS QLD00244B NSW 02225M TEQSA:PRF12081 Closed Facebook group “… headstrong program has given me insights into my thinking patterns and given me strategies to overcome negative thoughts to succeed.” “… pushing through adversity to accomplish my life goals.” CRICOS QLD00244B NSW 02225M TEQSA:PRF12081 Feedback Survey • Evaluation of the complete program • N = 28 (completion rate 39.44%) • Relevance • Usefulness • Ease of application to everyday life • Most helpful module • Recommendation to others • Open-ended questions CRICOS QLD00244B NSW 02225M TEQSA:PRF12081 Usefulness of each module 20 18 No of respondents 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 1 2 3 4 5 Module No Moderately useful Very useful Extremely useful 6 Ease of practice in everyday life 18 16 No of respondents 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 1 2 3 4 5 Module No Difficult Neither difficult nor easy Easy Very easy 6 Most helpful module Feedback Survey The difficulties I encountered came more from making the time to put the modules into practice than from the modules themselves. The timing of the course could have been a little better co-ordinated as by the time the course had started I was busy spending more time on writing assignments and working on other assessments. Also it would be great if the course material is open a little longer than the 5 weeks so people had more of an opportunity to catch up and thoroughly go over the course then rushing through the readings. CRICOS QLD00244B NSW 02225M TEQSA:PRF12081 Feedback Survey The difficulties I had was fitting it in with all my studies, assignments, prac, work and my family. The course need to be spend over more time. CRICOS QLD00244B NSW 02225M TEQSA:PRF12081 Feedback Survey “I have never had a great interest in mindful behaviour or meditation however this module gave me a different insight and I enjoyed what I learned in this module and believe that I can implement more of this in my everyday life.” I really enjoyed the values section; I think it was a great reflective exercise which has helped guide me through a few important decisions I've had to make recently and I think I will continue to use these in future to help evaluate options and guide me. CRICOS QLD00244B NSW 02225M TEQSA:PRF12081 Feedback Survey Continually relating my values and beliefs to my goals - really helps keep me on track through difficult times when study just seems 'too much'. An excellent program that I am very glad I participated in. Big thank you to all the staff who worked tirelessly to give all of us students such a great experience. Thanks. CRICOS QLD00244B NSW 02225M TEQSA:PRF12081 Feedback Survey It was a good way to gain skills applicable to university and outside life, as being a first in family student presents many challenges that you family and friends may not be able to understand. As a first in family at uni and a mother to four children, two of whom are disabled, this is a skill I now use daily. Thankyou! I would recommend it to everyone, including students. It's a valuable experience that I would expect everyone to get something out of. CRICOS QLD00244B NSW 02225M TEQSA:PRF12081 Q&A CRICOS QLD00244B NSW 02225M TEQSA:PRF12081
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