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1
Patrick, William John. "First-year undergraduate student attrition." Thesis, University of Glasgow, 2004. http://theses.gla.ac.uk/2592/.
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This is a study of student attrition amongst full-time, first year undergraduates at the University of Glasgow during the 1999-2000 academic session. The thesis contains an initial assessment of the importance of research in this area (Chapter 1), followed by a review of the literature, focusing in particular on the theories and explanations of student attrition that have been advanced by other authors (Chapter 2), and on appropriate research methodologies and data collection techniques (Chapter 3). The investigation then progresses through a succession of different empirical and data-analytic phases. Because of his function within the organisation, the author had uniquely good access to the student records system maintained centrally by the University. This made it practical to sift through this information in such a way as to determine first the simple concomitances of retention (Chapter 4), and then to use it in a more sophisticated manner to develop logistic regression models of retention (Chapters 5 and 8). The challenge was then to decide which new, additional data should be gathered in order to improve upon these quantitative models. The solutions were found partly by recourse to some focus group work with students and staff (Chapter 6). This resulted in two questionnaires being developed to discover students’ attitudes believed to be relevant to retention (Chapter 6). The first survey instrument was administered to all first-year students as part of the matriculation process. The other was completed on-line in the course of the session as an adjunct to the IT Induction Programme for all first-year students. Chapter 10 contains the first outcomes of the attempt to improve the logistic regression models described in Chapter 5 by the introduction of attitudinal constructs, first on their own, and then in combination with the original background and prior academic characteristics in order to model summer retention. The amount of data available in this study is considerable and, consequently, some large-sample structural equation techniques were then used to develop some new, more comprehensive models of retention (Chapter 11). These are more informative, demonstrating how trade-offs can occur between different variables in an overall model of retention, and identifying particular areas where practical policy interventions are likely to be successful in ameliorating student attrition. It is demonstrated that summer retention is affected in roughly equal measure by academic and non-academic factors. On the academic side, it is shown that extra effort and additional academic help and feedback can benefit those students having relatively low entry point scores, for example. Social integration, at least in moderation, is beneficial, and it is positively influenced by living in university accommodation. However, various extraneous problems harm retention through the mediating variables of social integration and commitment. The models have a temporal dimension, and it is argued that students’ attitudes whilst on course owe their origins to those detected at the time of matriculation and, ultimately, back to levels of family support.
2
Dixon, Stephen. "Hearing voices : first year undergraduate experience of audio feedback." Thesis, University of Wolverhampton, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/2436/620903.
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Recent changes to the UK higher education sector, including a rise in numbers and diversification of the student body, resultant larger class sizes and student: staff ratios, greater modularisation of courses with fewer coursework assignments, and students having less face-to-face contact with teaching staff, have presented numerous challenges. The parallel rise in the use of digital technologies in professional practice, despite calls for their adoption in order to personalise learning, can often be seen to exacerbate the perceived dehumanising effect of this massification. Amid a growing discourse highlighting the importance of feedback to student learning, the focus of this study centres on the use of digital audio feedback with first year undergraduates. Eschewing the positivist approaches that are prevalent in learning technology studies, the aims of the research are to understand the student experience of audio feedback in order to inform both professional practice and policy. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with first year Education Studies undergraduates, the research is a phenomenological study of the lived experience of participants through open and honest dialogue in order to arrive at a situated and negotiated understanding. In conducting a deeper and structural investigation that researches with people, the study moves beyond any technologically deterministic view, and sets any understanding in the wider context of students’ own interpretation of the feedback process, and as such shifts the discourse from technological affordance to pedagogical experience. Whilst the use of audio feedback is seen to alleviate the failures of communication often identified in the feedback process, the findings are also seen to be significant in terms of dialogic perception, studentship and engagement, as well as facilitating a shift from statement to discourse and the possibility of establishing more meaningful learning relationships with students.
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Sobel, Karen D. "Promotion of Library Reference Services to First-Year Undergraduate Students." Thesis, School of Information and Library Science, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/1901/441.
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This study describes a survey of 237 first-year undergraduate students conducted at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Through this study, the researcher aimed to fill in gaps in librarians’ knowledge about first-year students’ awareness of reference services, and students’ preferred modes of communication with librarians. The results show significant positive relationships between librarians’ verbal promotion of reference services and students’ tendency to ask reference questions in person.
4
Lin, Hsing-Yin Cynthia. "L2 Undergraduate Writers' Experiences in a First Year Writing Course." The Ohio State University, 2017. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu150314311403158.
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Van, Den Elzen Brad L. "Ports of entry an exploration of international undergraduate sojourners' first year experiences /." Columbus, Ohio : Ohio State University, 2006. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc%5Fnum=osu1164678550.
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Luan, Yun. "Understanding first year undergraduate achievement in a post-1992 university science department." Thesis, University of Wolverhampton, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/2436/118248.
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The purpose of this study was to address the under-researched theme of achievement among students in a post 1992 university in the UK. The findings are based on a case study of a cohort of first year (FY) undergraduates in a science department in a post 1992 university. Three key research approaches were deployed within this case study, namely, grounded theory, phenomenography and survey research. These three distinctive approaches have been framed within a broad interpretivist perspective in which subjectivity is managed through researcher positionality and the triangulation of data where appropriate. The research findings demonstrate that the point of registration at higher education (HE) institutions does not constitute a successful student because such a constitution is a process of becoming, involving complex meaning-making processes over time. These processes are characterised by a movement from 'outsider and potential achiever' to 'insider and reflexive achiever'. Important phases within this movement are those of: attending; being engaged and solving self-identified difficulties. In the light of the evidence gathered and the review of the existing scholarship, a detailed exploration and theorisation of these phases is offered. The preoccupation with students who fail in some way has led to a lack of research into those who succeed. This research has sought to overcome this lack by exploring the active meaning-making processes that lead undergraduates to achieve. A dynamic is identified between students' reflexive management of their FY experience and aspirations to achieve and the institutional context. This dynamic is also held to undermine the notion of students as customers awaiting satisfaction, suggesting instead that students be regarded as reflexive actors in the shaping of undergraduate achievement. This study presents a novel alternative to the prevalent deficit model in the relevant research which tends to treat students as passive bearers of diverse levels of readiness for undergraduate study. It also offers an alternative to the prevailing research on why students fail to progress or stay at university.
7
Taylor, Ruth Fiona. "Creating connections : an investigation into the first year experience of undergraduate nursing students." Thesis, Robert Gordon University, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10059/373.
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The aim of the research is to explore the first year experiences of two groups of undergraduate student nurses. The research takes a holistic approach to the investigation of the first year experience. In part, a curriculum change is used as a way to find out about the first year experience, with the research looking at how the introduction of enquirybased learning (EBL) into a curriculum impacted on the first year. The curriculum change is described in detail in chapter 1. The objectives of the thesis were to: 1. Examine the first year experience of nursing students. 2. Describe the curriculum change, the rationale for the change and the context within which this occurred. 3. Compare the demographic profiles of two groups of students one following a ‘traditional’ curriculum and the other using ‘EBL’; to compare students who chose to leave the courses with those who successfully completed first year. 4. Compare experiences with expectations of first year between nursing students undertaking a ‘traditional’ and an ‘EBL’ curriculum. 5. Propose strategies to enhance the student experience and rates of retention in first year undergraduate nursing students. The context for the research is described in chapter 1 – the literature review. This chapter explores the literature on the first year experience from both national and international perspectives. Inevitably, it reviews issues relating to student retention, which is the focus for much of the first year experience literature. The literature review argues that the contemporary context of nursing education requires nurse educators to consider the whole first year student experience when developing curricula that are fit for purpose. While the content of a course is important, the approaches to teaching need to facilitate learning within a diverse student population and need to prepare students to continue to learn in an increasingly dynamic healthcare environment. The chapter goes on to 2 argue that the issues that impact on the students’ first year experiences (e.g. relationships with peers and with academic staff, external domestic and personal circumstances) can be mitigated through curriculum development and other means (such as the availability and effectiveness of student support). The context of the particular nursing course along with the curriculum change and the rationale for the change are described. It can be argued that the retention literature takes a deficit approach to the improvement of the first year experience. Such an approach can be viewed as one that emphasises the factors that cause people to leave (or puts them ‘at risk’), and attempts to address these. On the other hand, a positive approach to the improvement of the first year is one in which measures and interventions aim to enhance the overall experience for all students, not just those who are seen as ‘at risk’. That said, the policy drivers for improving retention cannot be ignored and are discussed within the context of HE and nursing education. Finally, it is contended that the first year experience has not been widely explored within nursing literature and merits attention for a number of reasons, including the policy context and the need to determine whether student nurses have differing needs from students within other specialities. In chapter 2 the research methodology and research methods are described. An overview of case study research is provided and the approach taken within this thesis is described, along with a rationale for its use. The philosophical perspective is discussed with particular emphasis on the relationships between the methodology and the methods used to investigate the first year experience of students. It is argued that case study research is an appropriate methodology to investigate a complex area and provides an opportunity to utilise a number of methods so as to get to a ‘thick’ description of the phenomenon (the first year experience). All students in the two groups under investigation were asked to complete an expectations questionnaire, and an experiences questionnaire. Everyone who chose to leave the courses was asked to undertake an in-depth focused interview, although not all agreed. A sample of students who successfully completed first year was also asked to undertake an in-depth 3 focused interview. Finally, a sample of students was asked to complete a diary for the duration of the first year. The use of multiple methods is fitting, given the case study approach and the aim to create a ‘thick’ description, and an in-depth understanding of the first year experience. The use of the same research methods across the different groups of students allows for some comparisons to be made between the ‘traditional’ and ‘EBL’ curriculum students, and between leavers and stayers. The chapter also describes the approaches to data analysis. Chapter 3 presents the findings from the two questionnaires. Relevant demographic variables are reported, and the quality of the educational experience is measured in relation to the ways in which experiences meet expectations. This chapter shows that the two groups (‘traditional’ and ‘EBL’) are similar in terms of demographic variables. It also shows that the participants appeared to expect a ‘connected’ curriculum experience, but that the experience did not always match expectations. In chapter 4 the findings from the interviews and diaries are presented. Four themes are identified, with a number of categories in each. The themes (and categories) are: relationships with people (broadening horizons, knowing self and others, being supported and valued); the classroom experience (feeling inspired, becoming empowered, engaging with the learning experience); the practice experience (feeling inspired, becoming empowered, engaging with the learning experience); and professional education (motivation, preparedness, making adjustments). The chapter demonstrates the differences and similarities between the groups of students, before introducing the links to the quantitative findings, and to relevant research findings from the literature. Chapter 5 – the Discussion - brings together the findings from the qualitative and quantitative data as the case study. A conceptual framework is presented as a way in which the findings can be framed and through which future research can be organised. The assertion is made that the better the relationships, and the closer that experiences meet 4 expectations, the more likely it is that the student will have a ‘good’ experience and therefore be successful. The first year is seen as the foundation for future experiences on a course. While there are some areas that are particularly relevant to nursing students, it seems that the first year experience of student nurses is similar to that seen in other disciplines. Similar issues are identified within the thesis as within the wider literature, although nursing students’ issues may manifest themselves in slightly different ways (e.g. issues with practice placements/learning). In chapter 6, a number of conclusions are drawn that may enable future curriculum development to take a more holistic view of the student experience. Recommendations for practice are made and a focus for future systematic research is proposed. It is asserted that the conceptual framework that has been developed from the findings has allowed for a contribution to be made to the theoretical debate that relates to enhancing the first year experience and, in particular, to propose policy changes within the HE sector that may improve retention rates. This opening section has provided the reader with the context from which the ideas and focus for the thesis have developed, and has provided an overview of the aim and objectives of the research. It provided signposts for the full thesis and its component parts.
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Furby, Victoria J. "Process and Product: The sight singing backgrounds and behaviors of first year undergraduate students." Columbus, Ohio : Ohio State University, 2008. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc%5Fnum=osu1211160063.
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Grant, Janice M. "Students' academic expectations and experience during the first year of their undergraduate nursing programme." Thesis, University of Salford, 2012. http://usir.salford.ac.uk/37465/.
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The thesis examines why first year nursing students leave their programme of study and the factors that influence whether they stay or leave. A descriptive, exploratory study design was undertaken using two survey instruments, the College Students Expectations Questionnaire and the College Student Experiences Questionnaire. Data about the expectations and experiences of one cohort of nursing students were collected at the beginning and compared with experiences the end of their first year of study. Additional data obtained from institutional records. There was a preponderance of first generation university students who entered the university through completion of an Access to Health Studies course. This group entertained similar high expectations of academic achievement to the school leavers. These expectations were not that was not matched by their experiences in the main. The most successful students being those in the 30 to 39 age group. Overall, students’ degree classifications did not match their expected performance. The findings show that most students who left the programme intended to return but did not do so. Identifying predictors of success for nursing students remains a key issue for the nursing profession. The findings indicate that although student attrition is multi-factorial, focussing on the predictors of success can overshadow the need to identify and support students who possess the potential for success if additional support is provided. The findings also underline the importance of helping students connect with their learning environment during the first year and to develop self efficacy skills early.
10
Campos, Mary Grace T. "Quality of Life Differences Between First-Year Undergraduate Financial Aid and Non-Aid Recipients." Thesis, Virginia Tech, 2002. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/32688.
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The literature available on financial aid addresses how aid promotes access and equal educational opportunity by enabling students to matriculate into college. The literature also discusses how financial aid impacts studentsâ ability to persist to degree completion. However, there seems to be little research on how financial aid affects studentsâ lives while they are in college. The present study attempted to address this gap in the existing literature by examining the differences in quality of life between college students receiving financial aid and those not receiving such aid.For purposes of this study, quality of life was defined by four dimensions culled from the literature: (a) material possessions; (b) housing; (c) use of time; and (d) support mechanisms. Financial aid was defined as any need-based grant, loan, or work-study money awarded to a student.
Data were collected using the Quality of Life survey developed specifically for this study. The survey consisted of 59 items that were designed to measure the four dimensions of studentsâ quality of life. The target sample for this study consisted of 600 first year undergraduate students: 300 financial aid recipients and 300 non-aid recipients.
The findings revealed significant differences in three of the four areas: material possessions, use of time, and support mechanisms. These findings suggest that those who administer financial aid programs and those responsible for creating financial aid policies may wish to consider the role financial aid plays in the quality of life of students.
Master of Arts
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Raab, Marianne Fisher. "DO FIRST-YEAR COMPOSITION COURSES BENEFIT BUSINESS STUDENTS?" University of Dayton / OhioLINK, 2010. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=dayton1295625271.
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Mwanza, Gabriel. "Social networks : encouraging collaboration among first year undergraduate students at the University of Cape Town." Master's thesis, University of Cape Town, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/11495.
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The study seeks to gain a rich and in-depth understanding of the nature of students learning, mediated by their participation insocial networks in three learning locations at the University of Cape Town (UCT), namely, (i) formal learning locations, such as scheduled classes and laboratory sessions; (ii) semi-formal learning locations, such as libraries, walk-in laboratories and mingling areas; and (iii) informal learning locations, such as after-hours work, university residences, and weekends in private homes.
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Naidoo, Saloshana. "Exploring the undergraduate Information Technology experience of an extended four-year programme." Thesis, University of Pretoria, 2005. http://hdl.handle.net/2263/66229.
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Student academic progress has been at the centre of concern to all higher education institutions in South Africa. It is understood that student progress emanates from a range of dynamics that gives students different educational experiences. The student cohort at University of Pretoria (Abdulghani et al., 2014) come from diverse cultural backgrounds in South Africa, aptly called the rainbow-nation, and subsequently bring different levels of proficiency and world experiences to the higher education sector. The student population is like a tapestry interwoven from different cultures and includes students from all 'walks of life', rich and poor, alternative lifestyle and background, as well as students who are disabled, and students who have diverse sexual orientations. The transition from school to university is regarded as a time of extreme stress for students arriving at the university door for the first time. The expectations of students are mostly unknown, but educators know that students entering university come from positions of extreme inequality, not only in terms of schooling, but also of financial and other resources. It is well-documented that in addition to all the other changes, a large number of students arrive at the university lacking the necessary knowledge and skills that will help them cope at university. These are largely students that come from underprivileged schools that still bear the ravages of apartheid education. To assist students in overcoming the lack of these skills and bridging the educational gap, higher education has to address these needs. Hence, it is the intention of this research to "explore the undergraduate Information Technology experience of an extended programme". The research is a four-year longitudinal study of IT students in the extended (four-year) IT degrees at UP, and has analysed interviews conducted with IT graduates in a range of professional settings. Taken together, these components have been designed to expand the researcher's understanding of undergraduate IT experience (extended programmes) and the transition from university to the workplace. Furthermore, it focuses on how students in Information Technology experience their education, how they gain knowledge of what Information Technology is, and what their post-graduation plans are. Based mainly on the theoretical framework of Vincent Tinto (1975), this study provides an analysis of research regarding student experiences, retention and withdrawal in the extended four-year programme (E4YP) in IT. The research methodology used to conduct this study includes a mixed methods approach undertaken from more than one point of view. The researcher used a combination of qualitative and quantitative research features. The data was generated by surveys (online questionnaires and mini-questionnaires), mini-essays and the results of statistical analysis using academic results and Students� Academic Readiness Survey (STARS) scores. The findings of this study paint a portrait of typical first-year students irrespective of study direction. Their experiences and journey during the first-year are fraught with issues such as finance, accommodation, transport, gender inequality, institutional hiccups, loneliness and exhaustion, and difficulty in finding their way around campus. However, many expressed experiencing the euphoria of freedom from school/parental rules, meeting new friends and socialising, and enjoying the general feeling of being a university student.Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2017.
Informatics
PhD
Unrestricted
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Kalikokha, Chimwemwe. "The perceptions of a group of first year undergraduate Malawian students of the essay writing process." Click here to access this resource online, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/10292/396.
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The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of the essay writing process of first year undergraduates at Chancellor College (University of Malawi) and to a lesser extent those of the lecturers responsible for teaching academic skills. A mixed methods design, combining qualitative and quantitative techniques, was employed in order to obtain richer data for deeper understanding of the students’ writing process. Two hundred students from the humanities and social science faculties responded to a self-completion questionnaire towards the end of semester one. Based on the students’ responses, an open-ended questionnaire was administered to four full time English for Academic Purposes (EAP) instructors. Findings from this study indicate that most students find it very challenging to obtain sufficient and relevant source text information, paraphrase or summarise information, and use an appropriate academic writing style. As solutions to these challenges, the students suggested the need for timely essay writing instruction, availability of resources for essay writing, increased amount of time spent on essay writing instruction, and discipline specific instruction in essay writing. EAP instructors identified lack of teaching and learning materials, large EAP classes, and students’ negative attitude towards the EAP course, as some of the challenges they encounter when teaching the course. The EAP instructors proposed an increase in the number of staff members, making students aware of the significance of the EAP course at an early stage, and the availability of up to date resources, as some of the ways in which the teaching of the course can be improved. Overall, the findings seem to suggest that difficulties that students encounter during the writing process and teaching challenges that EAP instructors face, have great impact on students’ perception of academic writing as well as their approach to writing tasks. The findings also suggest a lack of dialogue between the students and their lecturers. This is evident in students’ unawareness of the nature of the writing demands of their lecturers and disciplines; students’ desire to have timely essay writing instruction; and the lecturers’ concerns about students’ negative attitude towards the EAP course.
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Barus, Irma Rasita Gloria, and n/a. "Towards an ESP reading syllabus for the first year undergraduate students at Bogar Agricultural University (IPB)." University of Canberra. Education, 1991. http://erl.canberra.edu.au./public/adt-AUC20060607.170018.
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The never ending argument among linguists and teachers
about whether reading difficulties of the non native speakers of
English are a reading problem or a language problem is an
interesting study to start with. This was one of the questions
examined in the study leading to the development of an ESP
syllabus for undergraduate students at Bogor Agricultural University
(IPB).
Chapter One outlines the current English course at IPB
where the focus of language teaching is on teaching grammar and
reading.
Chapter Two looks at the theoretical background and the
development of ESP as well as the role of the ESP teachers which
is different from the role of General English teachers.
Since reading is the only target skill students need to
acquire, Chapter Three looks at the theory of reading, outlines
necessary reading skills and examines a 'good1 reading teacher.
Chapter Four consists of a study and its analysis into
whether difficulties in reading is a reading problem or a language
problem. These findings are expected to give a clearer idea to the
teachers of reading about the problems encountered by the
students in reading English texts so they can decide whether the
focus of the course should be on grammar development or reading
development.
Chapter Five discusses several types of syllabus as well as
relating to the importance of needs analysis in designing a course,
and suggests an outline syllabus for the IPB students i.e. the
proportional syllabus including the profile of communication needs,
aims and objectives of the course, language content, and the
syllabus content.
16
Le, Play Deborah Claire. "Rethinking 'the rules of the game' : first year undergraduate transitional experiences viewed through a Bourdieusian lens." Thesis, University of Sheffield, 2012. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.577629.
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Whilst research into the nature of the university student experience and transition to higher education is not new, since the 1990s academics, institutions and government have become increasingly preoccupied with enhancing the quality of the student experience in the context of widening participation, retention, student expectation and student satisfaction agendas. Recent government policy and sector initiatives also propose to put students and their experience 'at the heart of the system' and highlight the significance of the first year transitional experience in terms not only of establishing strong foundations for individual students' future academic success, but also with respect to institutions' perceived ability to meet and respond to student needs and expectations in an increasingly competitive higher education market-place. The current thesis presents findings of a small-scale empirical study undertaken in this context in a post-1992 higher education institution in the Midlands to capture student and academic perspectives of first year undergraduate transitional experiences. Drawing on the notion of 'interpretative repertoire' to organize empirical data gathered through individual participant interviews and a Student Experience Cafe, analysis leads to the proposition of a deficit model which highlights convergence and divergence in how transition is perceived and articulated by the different student and academic participant groups. This model is then further considered and explained through a Bourdieusian lens using, in particular, the key concepts of habitus, capital and field. A conceptualization of student transitional experiences is offered as part of a wider debate on the purpose of higher education and its capacity to empower (or disempower) the 'new' student, and argues tentatively for a re-thinking, if not a reconfiguration, of the academic field.
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Lloyd-Jones, Gaynor. "A multiple case study of the first year student perspective in a medical undergraduate PBL curriculum." Thesis, University of Liverpool, 2002. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.250479.
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Gonyea, Robert Michael. "The relationship between student engagement and selected desirable undergraduate outcomes in the first year of college." [Bloomington, Ind.] : Indiana University, 2005. http://wwwlib.umi.com/dissertations/fullcit/3173528.
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Thesis (Ed.D.)--Indiana University, Dept. of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, 2005.Title from PDF t.p. (viewed Dec. 8, 2008). Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 66-04, Section: A, page: 1292. Chair: George D. Kuh.
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Williams, Lindsey N. "Grit and Academic Performance of First- and Second-Year Students Majoring in Education." Scholar Commons, 2017. http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/7109.
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Postsecondary student performance has been studied in great detail by higher education systems and their stakeholders in attempts to identify what may contribute to increased rates of retention and degree completion. Research on predictors of postsecondary performance has focused significantly on the relationship between performance and traditional cognitive measures, yet a growing body of literature examines other factors that may play a role, including that of grit, a non-cognitive trait described as a disposition toward perseverance and passion for long-term goals. Moreover, for graduates who enter the workforce in a profession as demanding as teaching, characteristics such as grit have proven significant in terms of their linkage with success in the profession. This quantitative study was an examination of the relationship between grit and academic performance in order to more accurately identify what may contribute to students’ postsecondary academic performance. Specifically, this study compared the predictive value of grit scores to that of high school GPA and SAT scores, two cognitive variables which have long been considered the best predictors of student academic performance. This study also investigated the role of grit in predicting student GPA in postsecondary study. The study sample was comprised of 130 native first- or second-year students majoring in education. Data for this quantitative study come from the online administration of the Grit-S survey in conjunction with institutional data on student performance. The overall findings of this study contribute to the increased understanding of the complexities related to predictors of postsecondary student performance, specifically in regard to undergraduate students pursuing degrees in education. The findings illustrate a positive, statistically significant relationship between grit and academic performance. Consistent with previous studies, HSGPA was identified as a significant predictor of success at the postsecondary level. Additional key findings and their implications for practice in higher education are presented along with offerings for further research opportunities.
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De, Wet J. C. "Instating the study of human communication in a first-year higher education teaching programme." Journal for New Generation Sciences, Vol 9, Issue 1: Central University of Technology, Free State, Bloemfontein, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/11462/576.
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Published ArticleThe article revisits the concept and phenomenon of human communication to show that it deserves to be part of a first-year undergraduate core curriculum which aims to further knowledge and advance learning. Conceptual analysis and critical and rational argumentation are employed. Teaching students about what human communication really is and, concomitantly, what it entails existentially as well as adopting the appropriate spirit, stance and method for authentic intercultural communication, could go a long way in equipping them to be critical thinkers, competent citizens, and compassionate human beings in the worlds in which they live.
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James, Cindy Lou. "Exploring the connection between emotional intelligence and first year experiences of undergraduate students at one Canadian university." Thesis, University of British Columbia, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/2429/45956.
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There is a general consensus that the first year of university offers significant challenges, as new students not only adjust to the academic rigor of post-secondary schooling, but also to new social and cultural milieus. Thus, emotional intelligencethe ability to identify, process and manage emotions to affect positive behaviourmust play an important role during this transitional year, but how so? This mixed methods study was designed to answer that question by thoroughly investigating the connections between emotional intelligence (EI) and the first year experiences of students at a Canadian university. To do so, the EI of first year students, as measured by the BarOn Emotional Quotient Inventory (EQ-i), was assessed at the beginning of their studies and at the end of their first year during the 2010-2011 academic year at Thompson Rivers University. Quantitative and qualitative indicators of performance, engagement, experiences, and potential associations were examined, as were changes in EI and gender effects.
The findings from this study suggest there is a complicated connection between emotional intelligence and first year experiences of students. Although students felt EI played an important role, the findings revealed no significant correlations between EI and academic achievement, and very few significant associations between EI and students’ nonacademic experiences in first year. However, there was a strong connection between first year experiences and changes in emotional intelligence, as most EI mean scores increased, many significantly, from the pre to the post assessment. Finally, the EI scores of male students differed from those of female students in some facets that appeared to influence engagement, but not academic performance.
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Joubert, Lydia-Marie. "Enhancing the quality of first-year Biology teaching at the University of Stellenbosch." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2002. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/52824.
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Thesis (MPhil) (Higher Education)--University of Stellenbosch, 2002.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Transformation in biology teaching is inevitable. There is a global concern about the quality of undergraduate biology teaching, especially when considering the growth in the fields of biotechnology and the molecular sciences. Programmes of learning have to be market orientated, and the contents of curricula have to equip students for entrance into a specific career. At the University of Stellenbosch the School for Biological Sciences has developed an interdisciplinary approach to first-year biology teaching. The new programmes in Biological Sciences, implemented in 2000, contain first-year curricula that introduce students to the disciplines of genetics, botany, zoology, microbiology, biochemistry and statistics. This involves participation by six departments, and lecture facilitation in two languages for up to 600 students. As contact sessions between lecturers and students are limited, self-study is becoming increasingly important, and lectures should be fully exploited to obtain deep learning. This study investigated various ways to enhance the teaching and learning process for first-year biology students in a module fraught with growing pains and problems. The influence of software support on student learning was evaluated, while the introduction of an innovative approach to teaching statistics to first-year students was analyzed. Supplementing the statistics section with video-recordings of the lectures was further considered as a possible way of overcoming various obstacles in especially this section of the module. The application of a practical laboratory course to enhance the quality of the theoretical lectures was also investigated and evaluated. It can be concluded that no simple solution could be found to solve the variety of problems that arose with implementation of the new programmes of learning. Technology proved to be invaluable, but should be applied after thorough needs assessment and impact studies have been performed. Provision of IT tools and facilities do not necessarily imply their application and effect, and innovation and inspiration still proved to be most effective in enhancing biology teaching.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Transformasie in biologie-onderrig is onvermydelik. Daar is wêreldwye kommer oor die kwaliteit van voorgraadse biologie-onderrig, veral in die lig van die vooruitgang in biotegnologie en die molekulêre wetenskappe. Programme van onderrig moet markgerig wees, en die inhoud van leerplanne loopbaangerig. Die Skool vir Biologiese Wetenskappe van die Universiteit van Stellenbosch het sedert sy stigting 'n interdissiplinêre benadering tot eerstejaarsbiologie-onderrig ontwikkel. Die nuwe programme in die Biologiese Wetenskappe wat in 2000 geïmplementeer is, bevat eerstejaarskurrikula wat studente bekendstel aan die dissiplines van genetika, botanie, sooloqie, mikrobiologie, biochemie en statistiek. Ses departemente is hierby betrokke, en lesings word in twee tale vir tot 600 studente aangebied. Aangesien kontaksessies tussen dosente en studente beperk is, word selfstudie toenemend belangrik, en lesure moet ten volle benut word om 'n diepgaande leerproses te verkry. Hierdie studie ondersoek derhalwe verskeie potensiële maniere waarop die onderrigen leerproses by eerstejaarbiologie-studente versterk kan word. Die invloed van sagteware-ondersteuning by die leerproses is geëvalueer, terwyl 'n nuwe innoverende benadering tot statistiek-onderrig vir eerstejaarstudente geanaliseer is. Uitbreiding en ondersteuning van die statistiek-seksie, d.m.v. videoopnames van die lesings, is verder oorweeg om verskeie van die hindernisse in veral hierdie deel van die module te oorkom. Die toepassing van 'n laboratoriumkursus om die kwaliteit van die teoretiese lesings uit te brei is ook geëvalueer. Daar kan saamgevat word dat geen enkelvoudige oplossing bestaan om die verskeidenheid van probleme op te los wat met implementering van die programme ontstaan het nie. Tegnologie is onontbeerlik, maar moet toegepas word nadat behoorlike behoeftebepaling en impakstudies uitgevoer is. Verskaffing van informasietegnologie impliseer nie noodwendig die nodige toepassing en effek nie, en innovasie en inspirasie blyk steeds onontbeerlik te wees om biologie-onderrig uit te brei en te versterk.
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Zaher, Christine Anne. "The development and implementation of a first year undergraduate E.F.L. writing programme for English departments of Egyptian universities." Thesis, Cardiff University, 1994. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.427800.
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Tyacke, Vicki-Lee. "The preparedness of New Zealand secondary school students for first year undergraduate studies in a digital learning environment." Thesis, Curtin University, 2021. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/88381.
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Today’s secondary school students need to be both prepared and confident as they progress into the undergraduate digital learning environment. This research examined the perceived level of preparedness and confidence of final school year students for the digital learning expectations of the Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ) tertiary sector. The new knowledge gained from this study will contribute to a better understanding in the secondary and tertiary sectors by providing them with insight into how students view their preparation for the undergraduate digital learning environment.
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Heaton, Christy E. "Examining the Lived Experiences of Undergraduate Transgender Students at Four Year Institutions in the South." ScholarWorks@UNO, 2017. https://scholarworks.uno.edu/td/2409.
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This qualitative, narrative study examined the lived experiences of transgender students at four-year institutions in the South. The college transition process and academic and social integration for transgender students was explored through the frameworks of Transition Theory (Schlossberg, 1995), Minority Stress Theory (Meyer, 1995; Breslow, Brewster, Velez, Wong, Geiger, & Soderstrom, 2015), and Academic and Social Integration theories (Tinto, 1975; Braxton, Hirschy, & McClendon, 2004). College climates can be challenging for transgender students, especially when campus staff and faculty are not prepared and/or aware of transgender students’ needs (Pryor, 2015). How students perceive their academic and social integration as well as how their integration was influenced by their gender identity was a key component of this study. Through a four-phase data collection process, transgender students had the opportunity to tell, share, and reflect on their experiences as transgender undergraduate students navigating the college transition, academic, and social integration processes.
Through data collection and analysis, four categories emerged from participant responses: 1) Navigating Identity, 2) College Transition and Challenges, 3) Environment, Space, and Climate, and 4) Sympathizing with Others. Within each category, several sub-categories were identified as well. Institutions of higher education must recognize the ever-growing presence of transgender students on their campuses. Moreover, institutions have the opportunity and responsibility to create policies, spaces, and opportunities that allow transgender college students to have a supportive academic and social integration process.
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Andrew, Tahnee J. "What Nursing Students Believe Impacts Academic Success in the First Year of a Baccalaureate Nursing Program." Ohio University / OhioLINK, 2020. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1596124692955453.
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Padgett, Ryan David. "The effects of the first year of college on undergraduates' development of altruistic and socially responsible behavior." Diss., University of Iowa, 2011. https://ir.uiowa.edu/etd/1052.
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The present study examines the effects of first-year college experiences on undergraduate students' development of altruistic and socially responsible behavior - a critical college outcome that leads to significant public or external benefits and support. Furthermore, this study examines whether the effects of first-year college experiences on altruistic and socially responsible behavior vary between first-generation and non-first-generation students. To guide the study's investigation, human, social, and cultural capital theory are used as conceptual frameworks and college impact models - including Astin's Input-Environment-Outcome model, Pascarella's General Model for Assessing Change model, and Weidman's model of undergraduate socialization - serve as a theoretical guide. Using longitudinal, pretest-posttest data from the Wabash National Study of Liberal Arts Education, ordinary least squares regressions are utilized to estimate the effects of the college experience on first-year students' altruism and social responsibility. Findings from these analyses suggest that a number of first-year college experiences and participation in vetted good practices significantly contribute to undergraduates' development of altruistic and socially responsible behavior.
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Hicks, Allan. "An examination of the influences on choice of first post among a population of final year undergraduate student nurses." Thesis, King's College London (University of London), 2009. https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/en/theses/an-examination-of-the-influences-on-choice-of-first-post-among-a-population-of-final-year-undergraduate-student-nurses(476ae92d-81e4-45ac-880e-75a70e3a7183).html.
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This thesis examines the choice of first post after qualifying among student nurses. Specifically it reports on a census survey using a purpose designed questionnaire completed by final year undergraduate student nurses in three higher education institutions offering undergraduate pre-registration nursing education. Both internal and external influences on the student's choice of first post after qualification were examined. These influences included those on choice of nursing speciality and patient group and on the specific first post preferred by the respondents. The effects of the student's ethnicity, their individual educational programme (Diploma in Higher Education or BSc Hons) and their educational institution are considered in relation to their specific influences on choice of first post. The concept of career was examined both from theoretical and participant's perspectives. Additionally, the nature and effect of career guidance aimed at facilitating choice of first post was examined and was contrasted with career guidance aimed at longer term career choice. The thesis outlines how these data can be used to provide an effective model of career guidance specifically aimed at the study population by adapting an existing career development model which does not at present address the needs of this population adequately.
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Kriel, Hester Adriana. "Comparison of teaching orientations of an experienced and beginner lecturer in first year Biology." Diss., University of Pretoria, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/2263/63305.
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First year students at tertiary institutions find themselves in an environment that is both exciting
and intimidating. This study explores the dynamics of the classroom where biology students meet
an experienced and a beginner lecturer teaching arguably the most difficult topic in the syllabus,
photosynthesis. The study investigated the difference in their teaching orientations, which was
expected to influence the way in which they plan and present the lessons, the experiences of the
students in class, with the emphasis on sections that were explained well and on problems that
students may still encounter at the end of the lecture. Interview and classroom observation data
were analysed to probe the beliefs, goals and topic specific pedagogical content knowledge of
the lecturers in order to generate a qualitative description of the difference in their teaching
orientations. The data suggests that the difference in the disciplinary background of the two
lecturers influenced their teaching orientations and their time allocation to different sections of the
content. It was evident from an inductive analysis of journal entries that first year students respond
positively to lecturers that are enthusiastic, well prepared and committed to deliver to the best of
their abilities. The study concludes that the poor performance of students in this topic cannot be
ascribed to the difference in the teaching orientations of the two lecturers.Dissertation (MSE)--University of Pretoria, 2017.
National Research Foundation (NRF)
Biochemistry
MSE
Unrestricted
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Stirling, Eve. "Why waste your time on Facebook? : a temporal analysis of first-year undergraduate students and transition in UK Higher Education." Thesis, University of Sheffield, 2014. http://etheses.whiterose.ac.uk/6377/.
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In this thesis I document a study of first-year undergraduate students' uses of Facebook to negotiate their transition into their first year at a UK university. I did this through a mixed method two-phase approach of large-scale questionnaires and a longitudinal connective ethnography, which took place across Facebook and the university campus. The analysis was undertaken using a temporal framework. I explore literature from three differing research areas; the corpus of literature on student experience at university; literature on social media and technology use by Higher Education (HE) students, and literature on time and space in HE. The focus of my research was to explore the realities of social media use by undergraduates, specifically their use of Facebook in the first-year transition to university. The findings are presented as narratives of six Facebook Friends presented across the academic year. These narratives illustrate themes, which emerged from the data and include "making friends in the digital" to "disconnection (I don't want to be here anymore)". The multi-sited approach allowed for observation both on Facebook and faceto- face, so as to go beyond the online/offline dichotomy to explore the complex relationship of the embedded and ubiquitous nature of Facebook in my participants' lives.
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Rippel, Zilma Iára Bandeira. "An analysis of segmental features of pronunciation among first year undergraduate students of English at the Federal University of Paraná." reponame:Repositório Institucional da UFPR, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/1884/24352.
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Story, Craig N. "The Relationship of Undergraduate First-Time-in-College Students' Expectations of Interactions with Faculty and Four-Year College Degree Completion." Scholar Commons, 2013. http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/4949.
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Faculty are the academic heart of colleges and universities. They guide learning and facilitate student academic and social integration in the campus community. As described by Tinto, student integration is an important component to success in college. Out-of-class and in-class faculty-student interaction supports student integration and may lead to improved college completion. Students enter college with expectations for what they are about to experience, including expectations for faculty interaction. Smart adapted Holland's vocational choice theory to study college disciplines and found that faculty in six broad categories of disciplines displayed specific environmental and personality traits and interacted differently with students.
The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine relationships between first-time-in-college (FTIC), prior-to-matriculation student expectations of faculty-student interaction and two dependent variables: four-year degree completion and FTIC, prior-to-matriculation student's major, as categorized in one of Holland's categories. High school GPA, ethnicity, and gender were controlled in the study.
The sample consisted of 3,144 FTIC, prior-to-matriculation students enrolled at the University of South Florida, a large, metropolitan public university in the South during the summer or fall of 2008. Students completed the College Student Expectations Questionnaire (CSXQ) as part of a mandatory university orientation program. Seven items on the CSXQ's "Experiences with Faculty" section were summed and used to assess a FTIC, prior-to-matriculation student's level of expected faculty-student interaction. Students' prior-to-matriculation majors were assigned to one of seven Holland major categories --investigative, artistic, social, enterprising, realistic, conventional, and not in Holland. However, only five categories; investigative, artistic, social, enterprising, and not in Holland were used because no FTIC, prior-to-matriculation student majors were assigned to the realistic and conventional Holland categories.
A binary logistic regression was used to investigate the potential relationship between (FTIC), prior-to-matriculation student expectations of faculty-student interaction score and four-year degree completion. A statistically significant relationship (p<.05) was not observed between a FTIC, prior-to-matriculation student's expectation level for faculty-student interaction score and four-year degree completion. A statistically significant relationship (p<.05) was observed between the independent variables of high school GPA and gender and the dependent variable of four-year college completion. A one-point increase in the student's high school GPA showed an increase of the odds of four-year graduation by a factor of 2.96. The study also found the odds of a female graduating in four years is increased by about 1.3 times over a male four-year graduation.
A multinomial logistic regressions were used to evaluate the relationship between (FTIC), prior-to-matriculation student expectations of faculty-student interaction score and Holland's categories. A statistically significant relationship (<.05) was found between a FTIC student's expectation level for faculty-student interaction and a student's FTIC Holland classification. As the level of the faculty-student expectation score increased by one point, the odds of being a member of the investigative category over the artistic, social, or enterprising category increased by 1.05 times, 1.03 times, or 1.04 times, respectively. The results must be interpreted with caution, given the small effect sizes, as exhibited by a Cox and Snell's value of .005 and a Nagelkerke value of .006.
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Litchfield, Bradley C. "Undergraduate student retention in context: An examination of first-year risk prediction and advising practices within a college of education." Diss., Temple University Libraries, 2013. http://cdm16002.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p245801coll10/id/216594.
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Educational PsychologyPh.D.
This study examined the use of an institutionally-specific risk prediction model in the university's College of Education. Set in a large, urban, public university, the risk model predicted incoming students' first-semester GPAs, which, in turn, predicted the students' risk of attrition. Additionally, the study investigated advising practices within the College of Education via semi-structured interviews with the College's advising staff and a document analysis of students' advising notes in an attempt to find thematic links between undergraduate retention and usage of an advising center. Data were analyzed to determine the accuracy of the risk model in the College of Education. The results of this study are used to inform the College of Education's administration, faculty, and staff about the implications of risk prediction and to suggest potential treatments to increase retention rates. Furthermore, recommendations for future research are discussed for this study's institution and for the field of education.
Temple University--Theses
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Smith, Karen Margaret. "An investigation of student learning using threshold concepts in a first year cell biology course." Thesis, University of British Columbia, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/2429/41938.
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There is a lack of understanding of how conceptually difficult content is processed by students in first year biology courses. Much of the research reports that threshold concepts can be applied in multi-disciplinary frameworks from the sciences to humanities (Lucas and Mladenovic, 2007). By drawing on Land and Meyer’s (2003) operational definition for threshold concepts, the purpose of this study is to investigate threshold concepts and their potential for high levels of student engagement in a first year cell biology course at the University of British Columbia. To investigate to what extent threshold concepts exist, student feedback with educators perspectives were examined for areas that represented threshold concepts and used to create a framework. Focus group interviews explored the student learning experience and evaluated if the course activities supported threshold concepts and provided a transformative learning experience. The transformative nature of concepts was related to levels of course engagement by administering a validated course engagement questionnaire to focus groups. The study showed there is some evidence of threshold concepts in cell biology, particularly in the areas of genetics and energy generation and focus group interviews corroborated these results. As three threshold concepts were chosen to examine in depth, discussions among focus group participants showed that students struggled with overcoming difficulties in understanding discursive language, linking concepts across the disciplines and distinguishing important concepts that are central to understanding biological processes. Two learning strategies that were found to be particularly useful in enhancing transformative learning were the use of in-class clicker questions and group investigation activities. However, students were assessed to be only moderately engaged in the content, relied on surface learning techniques for mastery and lacked the deeper learning processes that were necessary for a transformative learning experience. This study has implications for the role of instructional development to identify threshold concepts, help students in learning challenging material and achieve deep learning processes. Based on these results, threshold concepts can provide the foundation for examining conceptually difficult content within a first year cell biology course and a specific focus on threshold concepts can assist students in crossing conceptual boundaries.
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Rygg, Matthew J. "The Experiences of High-Achieving, Undergraduate Students Who Departed from Bowling Green State University in the First Year: A Case Study." Bowling Green State University / OhioLINK, 2014. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1404298009.
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Al, Qahtani Ali Falah A. "Relationships between intercultural contact and L2 motivation for a group of undergraduate Saudi students during their first year in the UK." Thesis, University of Leeds, 2015. http://etheses.whiterose.ac.uk/8279/.
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Using the L2 Motivational Self System (Dörnyei (2005), this mixed methods approach study aimed to investigate two key issues. First, to investigate the possible relationships between prior levels of ICC and self-reported motivation to learn English among newly arrived (during their first month of arrival) undergraduate (pre-foundation) Saudi students in the United Kingdom. Second, to explore whether the reported motivational profiles (high Ideal L2 Self and strong Ought to L2 Self) on arrival help to explain the behaviour of a sample of new arrivals (4 participants) during their first year of study in terms of recognising and responding to ICC opportunities and L2 learning. The study began with a quantitative phase, using an online survey distributed to 257 new Saudi pre-foundation students across the UK in October 2012 to investigate their prior ICC and reported motivation to learn English (n = 257: 36 females and 221 males). Correlation analysis of the data revealed a relationship between the new Saudi arrivals' ICC and aspects of their L2 motivation. Regression analysis revealed that one construct of the L2MSS in particular (the Ideal L2 Self) had the strongest association with ICC, which suggested that prior ICC might have promoted the participants’ Ideal L2 Self. Furthermore, regression analysis revealed that Language Learning Attitudes were better predictor of the reported L2 learning effort than Ideal L2 Self and Ought to L2 Self, which may have indicated that the positive attitudes of the participants towards the L2 learning environment was based on their realisation of the importance attached to English for their future. Finally, Ought to L2 Self was a stronger predictor of the reported L2 learning effort than Ideal L2 Self, which may have underscored the importance of the collective nature of Saudi society where family expectations serve as a powerful source of motivation. A qualitative phase followed the quantitative phase when four study participants (males) were selected based on their representation of distinct motivational profiles: strong Ideal L2 Self and strong Ought to L2 Self (two participants for each). These were to be interviewed three times (November 2012, February 2013, and May 2013). Their distinct motivational profiles did not help to explain the behaviour of the participants as they all showed similar ICC behaviour and similar L2 learning behaviour. Instead, the analysis of the qualitative data suggested that a number of social, cultural, and personal issues may have had a stronger impact on the behaviour of the new Saudi sojourners than their Ideal L2 Self or Ought to L2 Self. In conclusion, the study strongly suggests the significance of being involved in ICC (direct or indirect) to give Saudi L2 learners reasons to study English and create a vision of themselves as future L2 users, which is likely to help them to establish and maintain their L2 motivation. Given the collective nature of Saudi society, English teachers and parents play a crucial role in encouraging and supporting L2 learners in such a process. Finally, the study suggested a number of cultural, social and personal issues that stakeholders and policymakers in study abroad programmes and in international universities need to pay close attention to in order to understand and help visiting students to make the most of their stay abroad.
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Filies, Gerard C. "Attitudes and perceptions of first year students towards interprofessional education in the Faculty of Community and Health Sciences at the University of the Western Cape." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/79314.
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ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The setting for this study was the University of the Western Cape, Faculty of
Community and Health Sciences, first year undergraduate students. All students who
participated in the compulsory interprofessional programme were from the following
disciplines: Occupational Therapy; Physiotherapy; Psychology; Social Work; Natural
Medicine; Dietetics; Human Ecology; Sports Sciences and Nursing.
The objectives of this study were to measure the attitudes and perceptions of first
year students who participated in an undergraduate interprofessional programme.
The attitudes and perceptions were further measured in relation to the specific
lecturers involved, the age of the students, their gender, race, background as well
their specific discipline.
This was primarily a quantitative study incorporating two qualitative questions in
which 657 students were issued with a questionnaire designed to determine their
attitudes and perceptions towards interprofessional education. A sample size of 264
students resulted in 95% confidence intervals with a maximum precision of 5%. The
questionnaire was adapted, with permission, from Cameron; Rennie; DiProspero;
Langlois & Wagner (2009). MS Excel was used to capture the data and STATISTICA
version 9 (StatSoft Inc. (2009) STATISTICA (data analysis software system),
www.statsoft.com.) was used to analyze the data from the questionnaires.
Descriptive statistics was used to describe the main features of the sample of this
study and summary statistics was further used to summarize the findings of this
study in order to communicate the bulk of the information as simple as possible.
Two open-ended questions were included at the end of the questionnaire and this
was used to triangulate the data.
The Kruskal-Wallace test was used to measure the results, whereby a p-value of
<0.05 indicated statistical significance. Of all the factors used to measure the
attitudes and perceptions of students, the following three were significant: Gender;
Race and Discipline. No other factors impact on the attitudes and perceptions of
students towards interprofessional education. Student attitudes and perceptions towards interprofessional education were found to
be very positive. The findings revealed that the most significant factor in the study
was the lack of understanding of various disciplines participating in the programme
and their understanding of the relevance of the teaching approach (interprofessional)
as well as their specific role in the health care team. This clearly illustrated the need
to recommend to the co-ordinating unit of the programme that this be defined more
clearly for the students and specifically the Sports Sciences students.AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die studie het plaasgevind by die Universiteit van die Wes-Kaap, in die Fakulteit van Gemeenskap en Gesondheidswetenskappe, met eerste jaar voorgraadse studente wat die verpligte interprofessionele program doen. Studente sluit in die volgende dissiplines: Arbeidsterapie; Fisioterapie, Sielkunde, Maatskaplike Werk, Natuurlike Medisyne, Dieetkunde, Menslike Ekologie, Sport en Verpleegkunde. Die doelwitte van hierdie studie was om die houdings en persepsies van die eerste jaar studente wat deelgeneem het in 'n voorgraadse interprofessionele program te meet. Houdings en persepsies was gemeet met betrekking tot die ouderdom geslag, ras,agtergrond sowel dissipline van spesifieke studente. Daar was ook gekyk of die betrokke dosente ń invloed het op studente se houdings en persepsies teenoor die program. Die studie was hoofsaaklik kwantitatiewe met n kwalitatiewe komponent. Vraelyse was uitgereik aan 657 studente om hul houdings en persepsies teenoor interprofessionele onderwys te bepaal. 'n Steekproefgrootte van 264 studente het in 95% vertrouensintervalle met 'n maksimum akkuraatheid van 5%. Die vraelys is aangepas, met toestemming, van Cameron, Rennie; DiProspero Langlois & Wagner (2009). MS Excel was gebruik om die data op te vang en Statistica weergawe 9 [StatSoft Inc (2009) STATISTICA (data-analise sagteware stelsel), www.statsoft.com] is gebruik om die data van die vraelyste te analiseer. Beskrywende statistiek is gebruik om te beskryf die belangrikste kenmerke van die steekproef van hierdie studie. Opsommingstatistiek is verder gebruik om op te som die bevindinge van hierdie studie met die doel om die grootste deel van die inligting so eenvoudig as moontlik te kommunikeer. Twee oop vrae is ingesluit aan die einde van die vraelys en dit is gebruik om die data te trianguleer. Die Kruskal-Wallace-toets is gebruik om die resultate, waar 'n p-waarde van <0,05 aangedui word statistiese betekenisvolheid te meet. Van al die faktore wat gebruik was om die houdings en persepsies van studente te meet, was die volgende drie beduidende: geslag, ras en dissipline. Geen ander faktore impakteer op die houdings en persepsies van studente in interprofessionele onderwys. Studente se houdings en persepsies teenoor interprofessionele onderwys was beduidend positief. Die studie het bevind dat daar ń algemene gebrek aan begrip is vir die relevansie van die program. Dit sluit in hoekom die verskillende dissiplines aan die program deelneem as ook wat hulle spesifieke rolle in die gesondheidsorg span is. Die aanbeveling is dus dat die koördinerings eenheid van die program die kursus meer duidelik sal moet definieer om so doende die studente se kennis in terme van relevansie van die interprofessionele program uit te brei met spesifiek verwysing na die Sport studente.
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Dennison, Taryn. "Attachment style and the transfer of attachment functions from parents to peers in relation to the subjective wellbeing of first-year undergraduate students." Thesis, University of Surrey, 2013. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.599577.
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Sheahan, Linda. "An exploratory trial exploring the use of a multiple intelligences teaching approach (MITA) for teaching clinical skills to first year undergraduate nursing students." Thesis, King's College London (University of London), 2013. https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/en/theses/an-exploratory-trial-exploring-the-use-of-a-multiple-intelligences-teaching-approach-mita-for-teaching-clinical-skills-to-first-year-undergraduate-nursing-students(5f6ad285-07f0-4431-b168-dc21df073ab9).html.
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The clinical competency of pre-registration nursing students has raised questions about the proficiency of teaching strategies used to teach clinical skills in the undergraduate nursing programme. This study aimed to test the effectiveness of teaching clinical skills using a multiple intelligences teaching approach (MITA), which is underpinned by Gardner’s theory (1983) of multiple intelligences. This study employed a randomised controlled trial with first year nursing students (n=90) in one third-level institute in Ireland. Participants were randomly allocated to a control group (conventional teaching) (n=44) and an experimental group (MITA intervention) (n=46) to learn clinical skills. From a suite of twelve clinical skills taught, three clinical skills were assessed and included hand washing, sub cutaneous injection and nebuliser therapy. The outcome was skill performance measured by the results in an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE).Participant preference for learning was measured by the Index of Learning Styles (ILS). Participants’ multiple intelligence (MI) preferences were measured with a multiple intelligences development assessment scale (MIDAS), which included intellectual styles. MI assessment preferences were measured by a multiple intelligences assessment preferences questionnaire. The MITA intervention was evaluated using a questionnaire. Results showed that participants in the experimental group had higher scores in all three OSCEs examined (p<0.05) at Time 1, suggesting that MITA had a positive effect on clinical skill acquisition. The strongest preference on ILS for both groups was the sensing style. The highest MI on the MIDAS questionnaire for both groups was interpersonal intelligence. The assessment preferences questionnaire results showed that the majority of students favoured practical examinations, followed by multiple choice questions and short answer questions, as methods of assessment. The participants in the experimental group were positive about the MITA intervention. The findings of this study support the use of MITA for clinical skills teaching and advance the understanding of how MI approaches to teaching may be used in nursing education. This study builds upon the limited body of knowledge regarding the use of MI teaching strategies in a third level setting for clinical skills teaching. The findings may assist nurse educators in their choice of teaching strategies for clinical skills teaching that meets learner needs and promotes effective learning. Future research is needed to test the effectiveness of using the MITA intervention in practice placement settings to augment clinical skills laboratory teaching.
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Tsai, Shiao-Chen. "Academic Listening and Note-Taking: A Multiple-Case Study of First-Year International Undergraduate Students’ Experiences in Different Instructional Contexts at an American University." The Ohio State University, 2017. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1498740906480853.
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Dalpiaz, Anthony. "Social Media Use, Media Literacy, and Anxiety in First-Year College Students." University of Dayton / OhioLINK, 2020. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=dayton1597137716516134.
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Reetseng, Mmakgoshi Prescilla. "An assessment of the attitudes of undergraduate students towards information literacy training : Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) Library as case study." Diss., University of Pretoria, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/2263/58606.
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ABSTRACT
Information literacy skills training should be utilised by libraries as a strategy for transforming non-library users into constant users by teaching them appropriate skills that can impact on their knowledge and attitudes towards the utilisation of library resources. Although libraries do provide training aimed at making students conscious of the range of library resources and services and how to use them in their studies and career development, it has regrettably been observed that the skills and services are not well utilised by many.
Students in many institutions still rely heavily on the librarian even after receiving training. This has also been observed at the Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) library. This study titled, An assessment of the attitudes of undergraduate students towards information literacy training: Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) Library as case study, therefore addressed the following research problem: To what extent does the information literacy skills training offered at the Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) Library affect students’ attitudes towards information literacy training and use of information retrieval systems?
The study was aimed at offering 2015 first year students at the Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University and the librarian responsible for information literacy skills training an opportunity to express their perceptions and feelings about the library’s information literacy skills training programme and the use of information retrieval systems. The study also aimed at determining barriers that students experience in independently and effectively utilising library services and systems and identifying possible gaps in the training. The study also looked at aspects of the training that influenced students positively.
A case study of first year students from the Schools of Medicine, Pathology and Pre-Clinical Sciences, Oral Health Sciences and Health Care Sciences at SMU was conducted using a mixed methods approach, collecting and analysing quantitative and qualitative data. It employed questionnaires (for quantitative data), focus group interviews (for qualitative data) and an interview with the librarian responsible for information literacy training (qualitative data). Data were collected from the 14th October to the 06th November 2015. A total of 394 questionnaires were distributed, 225 questionnaires were returned and 219 were sufficiently completed to be useful. Four focus group interviews were held with 18 first year students; all schools were represented.
Students contributed ideas and voiced their opinions about the value of information literacy skills training for their studies, future career and their everyday life. They shared perceptions on their satisfaction with the skills learned and had the opportunity to rank the skills they have improved as a result of the training. Students confirmed that the training programme was indeed valuable and required for various aspects of their life, studies and career. They learned the skills needed when searching for information. Their effort and time for searching, locating, finding, accessing, evaluating and using information from the shelves, catalogue, internet and databases had also been decreased.
Some of the gaps identified by students were that they struggled with acquiring new skills as they had no prior exposure to libraries and computers, the classes were overcrowded and uncontrollable, the scope covered was too wide for one session, the training was overwhelming and the timing of the year wrong. Students also made suggestions and recommendations, for example continuous or monthly training, online training sessions, small group sessions, facilitation training for the trainers and including basic computer training.
The practical recommendations from the study, which include the student recommendations, can be utilised to improve information literacy skills training at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University Library, and also hold value for other academic contexts. From a theoretical viewpoint, theories of self-efficacy and affordance theory can be explored in further work.Mini Dissertation (MIT)--University of Pretoria, 2016.
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University
Carnegie Corporation of New York
Information Science
MIT
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Gardner, Joel Lee. "Testing the Efficacy of Merrill’s First Principles of Instruction in Improving Student Performance in Introductory Biology Courses." DigitalCommons@USU, 2011. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/885.
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One learning problem is that public understanding of science is limited. Many people blame at least part of the problem on the predominant lecture approach for students' lack of science understanding. Current research indicates that more active instructional approaches can improve student learning in introductory undergraduate biology courses. Active learning may be difficult to implement because methods and strategies, ranging from in-class collaborative problem-solving to out of class multimedia presentations, are diverse, and sometimes difficult to implement. Merrill's First Principles of Instruction (hereafter referred to as "First Principles" or "First Principles of Instruction") provides a framework for implementing active learning strategies.
This study used First Principles of Instruction as a framework for organizing multiple active learning strategies in a web-based module in an introductory biology course. Participants in this exploratory study were university students in Life Sciences 1350, an introductory biology course for nonscience majors. Students were randomly assigned to use either the module using First Principles of Instruction (hereafter called the First Principles module) or the module using a more traditional web-based approach (hereafter called the traditional module) as supplementary instruction.
The First Principles module implemented several active learning strategies and used a progression of whole problems and several demonstration and application activities to teach the topic of "microevolution," defined as the study of how populations evolve and change over time. The traditional module implemented a more traditional web-based approach, providing information and explanations about microevolution with limited examples. This exploratory study's results showed that the learning gain from pretest to posttest at the remember level was significant for the traditional group at alpha = .05 and was significant for the First Principles group at alpha = .1. In addition the pretest to posttest gain at problem solving for the First Principles group was significant at alpha = .05. When students rated their confidence in solving future problems, those in the First Principles group were significantly more likely to predict future success at alpha = .1.
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Fouche, Ilse. "Improving the academic literacy levels of first-year Natural Sciences students by means of an academic literacy intervention." Diss., University of Pretoria, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/2263/26500.
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Over the past years, there has been a consistent call from Government and industry for South African tertiary institutions to deliver more graduates in the fields of science and technology. This, however, is no mean feat for universities, as the pool of prospective candidates delivers very few students with the necessary academic literacy abilities, and very few students who passed mathematics and science at the right levels to succeed in science higher education. This puts tertiary institutions under mounting pressure to accept students who are under-prepared and to support these students appropriately. The plight of Open and Distance Learning (ODL) institutions like the University of South Africa (UNISA) is even more desperate, as they are often left with those students who are either unable to gain entrance into, or to afford the study fees of, residential universities. These students are often in greater need for face-to-face interaction than are their counterparts at residential universities, yet they generally receive very little of this. The intervention examined and critiqued in this study is an attempt at raising the academic literacy levels of first-year students at UNISA in the fields of science and technology by means of a 60-hour face-to-face workshop programme. As its foundation, it uses the principles of collaborative learning and authentic material design. It also treats academic literacy abilities as interdependent and holistic. This study starts with a broad overview of the context. This is followed by a review of the literature. This review focuses on concepts such as collaborative learning, academic literacy, English for academic purposes, English for specific purposes and English for science and technology. Thereafter, a needs analysis is done in which students’ Test for Academic Literacy Levels (TALL) pre-test results, as well as a sample of their assignments, are examined. In addition, the workshops in this intervention programme are analysed individually. To determine the effectiveness of the academic literacy intervention, students’ pre- and post-TALL results are scrutinised, and a feedback questionnaire filled in at the end of the year is analysed. Subsequently, recommendations are made as to how the workshop programme could be improved. Findings show that the academic literacy intervention did improve students’ academic literacy levels significantly, though the improvement is not enough to elevate students from being considered at-risk. However, with fine-tuning the existing programme, the possibility exists that students’ academic literacy levels might be further improved. This calls for a careful examination of the areas in which students’ performance did not improve significantly. Student feedback indicated a positive attitude towards the entire intervention programme, as well as a marked preference for collaborative learning and face-to-face interaction. In the redevelopment of the current workshop programme, such preferences would have to receive attention, so as to integrate students’ wants, together with what they lack and what they need, in subsequent interventions. In conclusion, the limitations of this study are discussed, and recommendations are made for future research, as the current study must be seen as only the beginning of a process of action research that could lead to a sustainable intervention programme in future. CopyrightDissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2010.
Unit for Academic Literacy
Afrikaans
unrestricted
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Smith, Marian Ford. "The Relationship Between Registration Time and Major Status and Academic Performance and Retention of First-time-in-college Undergraduate Students at a Four-year, Public University." Thesis, University of North Texas, 2014. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc700089/.
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This quantitative study utilized secondary data from one large four-year, state university in the southwestern US. The relationship between registration time and academic performance was examined as well as the relationship between registration time and retention of first-time-in-college (FTIC) undergraduate students during their first semester of enrollment at the university. The differences between decided and undecided students were tested regarding students’ academic performance and retention of the same population. The study population for the fall 2011 semester included 6,739 freshmen, and the study population for the fall 2012 semester included 4,454 freshmen. Through multiple and logistic regression models, registration time was shown to statistically have a relationship with academic performance and retention (p < .05). Later registrants showed to have a negative relationship with GPA and were less likely to return the following spring semester. The explained variance (R2) for both measures of academic performance and retention along with descriptive statistics are also presented. A Mann Whitney U test and chi square test indicated that a statistically significant association between decided and undecided students exists for academic performance and retention (p < .05). Decided major students performed better as measured by semester GPA performance and were more likely to return the following spring semester. Recommendations and implications are issued regarding future research, policy, and practice.
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Verenna, Anne-Marie Alexandria. "INVESTIGATIONS OF ANATOMICAL VARIATIONS OF THE THORAX AND HEART AND ANATOMICAL KNOWLEDGE FOR FIRST YEAR MEDICAL DENTAL AND PODIATRY STUDENTS." Diss., Temple University Libraries, 2013. http://cdm16002.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p245801coll10/id/221870.
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Cell BiologyPh.D.
The universal presence of anatomy in healthcare professions is undeniable. It is a cornerstone to each of the clinical and basic sciences. Therefore, further expansion of current anatomical knowledge and effective methods to teach anatomy is essential. In this work, the relationship of the dorsal scapular artery with the trunks of the brachial plexus is explored with the hope that information on anatomical variation will assist neurosurgeons in sparing these structures during clinical procedures. Additionally, structures involved in biventricular pacing procedures, such as the coronary sinus and Thebesian valve, are explored for their variations in both presence and presentation. Simulations of cannulations with both 7F and 8F guiding catheters were used to collect data regarding the length of travel of a catheter within the coronary sinus. This study aimed to expand current knowledge of the coronary structures that are of importance to electrophysiologists. Furthering knowledge of how best to teach anatomy to healthcare professionals was also an aim of this work. The first education study explored whether the method of instruction affected student success in a basic science course. This study also investigated the degree of knowledge mastery that healthcare professional students had achieved in gross anatomy, microanatomy and physiology during their first year physiology course. The students were assessed at the knowledge, comprehension, application and analysis levels of Bloom's taxonomy in each discipline. A pilot study explored the degree of prior knowledge in human gross anatomy that the same healthcare professional populations (medical, dental and podiatry) possessed before beginning the first year general gross anatomy course in their healthcare curriculum. The ability for these students to evaluate when they had answered a gross anatomy question correctly and when they had answered a question incorrectly (metacognition) was explored. All four studies in this work provide further insight into anatomical education in both the clinical and basic science environments.
Temple University--Theses
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Roth, Emily Nicole. "An Investigation of the Influence of Students’ Academic Year, Students’ Declared Major, and Quiz Format on Academic Achievement in a Large Enrollment Undergraduate Human Gross Anatomy Course." The Ohio State University, 2015. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1429870248.
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Shackell, Cameron. "Secondary discourse in first-year university texts: the role and function of scientific definitions and their implications for teaching English for academic purposes." Master's thesis, 1996. http://hdl.handle.net/1885/13584.
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IN RECENT YEARS a number of studies devoted to introductory textbooks used in universities have appeared. Swales (1995: 2-3) provides a convenient list of these:
Studies of textbook discourse have so far been largely restricted to introductory texts in standard undergraduate fields such as physics (Kuhn 1970), genetics (Myers 1992), geology (Love 1991, 1992), and economics (Henderson & Hewings 1990; McCloskey 1985; Tadros 1985).
The present study seeks to add introductory biology textbooks (hereafter IBTs) used in Australian universities to this list. It does so for a number of reasons. Firstly, as Swales' list suggests, no major study of first year biology textbooks has yet been undertaken. Secondly, such a study would be particularly relevant to Australia where the number of students studying biology - particularly non-native speakers of English - has increased steadily in the past decade causing a corresponding need for English for Specific Purposes (ESP) assistance based on studies of textbooks. And thirdly, recent trends in genre analysis make a study of textbooks a prime site for theory building and development. The first two of these justifications are perhaps self-explanatory. To better understand the last, however, it is necessary to locate the studies mentioned by Swales above within the existing literature.
1.2 The
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Kali, Horatius Dumisani. "First-year university biology students' difficulties with graphing skills." Thesis, 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/10539/1845.
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Student Number : 0110601M -
MSc research report -
Faculty of ScienceBased on the perceived need for improved graphing skills of students at first-year university level, two lecturers wanted to produce a web-based computer programme to improve first-year university biology students’ ability to construct and interpret graphs. Prior to designing and developing the package, however, it was important to establish whether there was a need for such a programme, and what might need to be included. The investigation to establish this provided the research described in this research report. A situation analysis was conducted to establish the nature and extent of the problems of graphing skills discussed anecdotally in the staff room of biology departments at a number of institutes. The ultimate intention (beyond this study) was to determine whether the problems were extensive and serious enough to warrant developing supplementary teaching materials to teach graphing skills. All lecturers (n = 5) and teaching assistants (n = 4) involved in using or teaching graphing skills to first-year biology students at one university were identified and interviewed. The purpose of the interviews was to establish the problems they believed are exhibited by their first-year students (with reference to graphing skills), and the nature and extent of current teaching of such skills in their first-year courses. In order to triangulate the information on student’s problems an item analysis was conducted of all questions incorporating graphs in two mid-year examination papers (n = 478 and n = 65), and students were observed during a practical session (n = 43). Results revealed that students experienced fewer problems with interpreting graphs than with graph construction. Of the four categories of graph interpretation problems identified by the teaching staff, the most popular category was students inability to describe quantitatively what the graph is showing (4 teaching staff). This was confirmed in the question paper analysis when 58% of the medics students (n=478) were unable to answer correctly one question involving several interpretation skills. No specific skills for graph interpretation were observed as being a problem in the College of Science question paper (n=65). Observations showed interrelating graphs as the biggest problem (5 students out of 43). Five categories for problems with graph construction were identified by the teaching staff. The most commonly mentioned problem (4 teaching staff) was identifying or plotting variables, whereas class observation revealed scaling axes as the most problematic skill shown by students (15 out of 43). In the exams, 80% of the medics students could not correctly answer one question requiring multiple skills including identifying variables, and 56% could not correctly answer another question that required skills that also involved identifying variables. The College of Science question paper revealed that 85% of the students could not supply the units of measurement for the y axis. A needs analysis was conducted to establish how the lecturers thought graphing skills should be taught and who should teach the skills. This information was needed to provide suggestions (from education “experts”) about what could be included in the computer programme to be developed subsequent to the research study, and how the teaching could best be done. Four members of the teaching staff said it was important to give students a lot of exercises to practice the skills and five members of the teaching staff said it was the responsibility of the university tutors or lab staff to teach graphing skills.
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Boyd, Jennifer Lynn. "Developmental and Situational Factors Contributing to Changes in Eating Behaviour in First-Year Undergraduate Women." Thesis, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/10012/3384.
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The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the importance of developmental history and current life events in predicting changes in eating behaviour in undergraduate women. The developmental variables tested were parents’ general parenting style and also how parents interacted with their daughter around food in childhood. Within the current situational model, I considered the variables of current family and peer dieting, as well as participants’ stressors and coping styles. Importantly, this study utilized a longitudinal design in which women provided information regarding their stressful experiences and eating behaviours over the previous week for nine weeks during their first semester of university. Results showed that it is possible to evaluate short-term changes in eating behaviours, and that both the situational factors as well as developmental history contribute to the understanding of these changes. A greater number of stressful academic and interpersonal events and perceived stress were both related to increases in dietary restriction over the semester, and also to periods of emotional over-eating. Past parenting style in childhood, including excessive control or very permissive parenting, were both related to a higher occurrence of current eating problems in daughters. Parental focus on the relationship between food and weight while their daughters were children was also related to more problematic eating behaviours in adulthood. As well, the more that peers and parents dieted or encouraged dieting presently, the more likely the participant was to exhibit restrictive dieting, as well as over-eating. The findings from this study suggest that the first year of university is a time when many changes occur in women’s eating behaviours, and further research on eating behaviour in this population is warranted.