Supporting Additional Learning Needs

Polly Osborne

First Year Experience in Continuing Education

24 -25 April 2006

Support …. what?

• Preparation– for student life– for learning

• On-going support / guidance – towards independent learning– to help achieve potential

Effective Support

• Appropriate …

targeted at specific groups

tailored for individuals• Timely (right thing at right time)

Preparation:

Targeted initiativesto ease the transition to HE

1. Mature students - Gateway programme

2. Disabled students- Induction programme

Mature students - concerns

• Time - juggling commitments • No recent experience of education • Key skills • Age – feeling ‘different’

… Lack of confidence …

Mature students as learners(strengths)

• Motivation

• Experience

• Transferable skills

• ‘Deep’ approach

Southampton Solent University:

Gateway to Higher Education

• Short preparatory programme designed for adults returning to study.

• Development of key skills • Familiarisation with the university

environment.

Gateway to Higher Education programme:

Benefits to university

• Supports widening participation

• Eases transition to higher education for non-standard entrants

• Aids retention of mature students

• Improves performance of mature students

Hallmarks of programme

• Student-centred

• Differentiated

• Run by central Study Assistance team

 Personal

andAcademic

Development   

 Stage 1

Pre-courseactivities

 

Communication and Study Skills

InformationTechnology

Numeracy

 Personal

andAcademic Developm

ent    

Stage 2

Introductory activities

Personaland

Academic Developm

ent   

 Stage 3

Review

 

Gateway study programme

Choice of skills units: minimum 1, maximum 3.

Four units …

• Personal & Academic Development– identification of existing skills and learning

development needs

• Communication and Study Skills– learning, writing, presentation, library etc

• IT – basic skills : email, internet, MS Office

• Numeracy – basic maths / statistics

Student feedback

“I feel much more confident about returning to education.”

“It helped me to brush up on skills that I had not used for several years and helped me to think in an academic way.”

“I gained the realisation that I can learn the things I don’t yet know and I now have confidence that I can actually do my course!”

Afterwards

Higher rate of retention each year of HE course – Gateway students 30% more likely to complete degree compared with other mature students who did not do Gateway.

Overall achievements exceed those of general student population - 8% of ex-Gateway students gained 1st class degree in 2002, compared to institution total of 4%.

Data extracted from Student Record System, Southampton Institute

Severely disabled studentsHave to manage a disability alongside their

studies

They may also:• have limited experience of living

independently• have communication difficulties• fear being isolated

Hurdles … but not barriers

Induction for disabled students

Aim:

To help prepare students for university life

Induction for disabled students

• Pilot in September 2005• 1.5 days (before Freshers Week)• 15 students invited - wide range of

disabilities – all attended• Existing disabled students helped with

planning and delivery

Induction programme

Included:• Managing your disability within a

university context• Developing interpersonal skills• Introductions to key student services at

the university • Social activities - to build friendships and

peer support networks.

Benefits to new students

Programme provided opportunities to:• ‘Settle in’ to new environment • Develop friendships• Share concerns and experiences• Gain insights into experiences of existing

disabled students• Build relationships with staff

***** Very positive feedback from students.

***** No drop-outs during Year 1 (as at Easter)!

Our conclusions:• helped minimise social isolation • students better prepared for realities of university life

Plans for Disabled Students’ Induction 2006:• 16 – 25 participants• programme broadly similar

On-going support

Study Assistance tutors/advisers available year-round:– skills development– disability support

Over to you …

Comments?

Questions?

Your experiences?

Supporting Additional Learning Needs

Polly Osborne

First Year Experience in Continuing Education

24 -25 April 2006