In this blog, Prof. Louise Taylor at Oxford Brookes University, describes an activity that she developed, which is well suited to personal tutoring sessions. It is grounded in social-psychological theory and aims to increase students’ sense of belonging by strengthening their identity as a member of their discipline. The activity creates an essential space for students to learn about the impact of identities on their learning, reflect on their own identities, and engage in research-informed activities for strengthening their own discipline identities. By creating this space during personal tutoring sessions, students will be supported to enhance their university student identity, which will underpin improved academic outcomes.
The Power of the Micro-Connection
In the hectic world of universities, we sometimes overlook or take for granted the human need for connection and the value of connections in shaping and moulding our experiences, relationships, and our wellbeing. Interactions with those around us can have a lasting impact, it can make your day, open lines of communication and create lasting bonds. For staff, connections can enhance our communities of practice which has been shown to be a powerful tool for professional development (MacPhail, 2014), reveal surprising links across institutions and encourage us to work in different ways. For students connections can create a sense of belonging, noted as critical to student retention (O'Keeffe, 2013), support wellbeing and make the learning experience more valuable and memorable.
Reimagining Personal Tutoring and Academic Advising to Narrow the Awarding Gap
In recent years, closing the awarding gap in higher education has become a primary focus for UK higher education institutions (HEIs). Arguably, the increasing scrutiny from the Office for Students (OfS) has prompted HEIs to confront the persistent attainment gap, particularly between White and Black students. While data reveals that Black students are less likely to achieve an upper-second or first-class degree, the OfS mandate aims to "eliminate the unexplained gap in non-continuation between the most and least represented groups of students by 2024-25 and eliminate the absolute gap by 2030-31" (OfS, 2022, p. 24). Accordingly, many HEIs are making asserted efforts to implement systemic and pedagogical reforms to reduce disparities in student outcomes.
A recent online panel discussion, hosted by United Kingdom Advising and Tutoring (UKAT), explored the urgent need to address the awarding gap. Chaired by Denise Miller, and attended by 154 participants, the panel discussion featured contributions from nationwide experts, including Eleanor St Hilaire, Claire Brown, and Josephine Gabi. The discussion focused on reimagining personal tutoring and academic advising to reduce the awarding gap.
Student Engagement is key to student retention and success in Higher Education
Student Engagement is key to student retention and success in Higher Education. Whilst engaging in educationally purposeful activities is not essential to academic success (Kuh et al 2006), in-class involvement has been shown to be critical to the students’ experience of success (Tinto, 2012). Within the UKAT Student Engagement SIG we take a broad definition of student engagement, embracing engagement with programme, their studies and personal academic tutoring. We consider how we as tutors and education providers can design programmes of activities that students can see the benefit of engaging with.
Creating a ‘sense of belonging’ for international students through intercultural Personal Tutoring
The Personal Tutoring for International Students SIG aims to create a professional network of personal tutors working to understand the issues, concerns and challenges of working with overseas students. In this BLOG Lousa Hill and Maria Hussain explain their SIG in more detail.
Reflections on bullying in Higher Education
It was Anti-bullying week from 16-20 November 2020. This year the theme was 'United Against Bullying' and there was a slew of events on various social media using #antibullyingweek and #abw20 where you can still go to see some of the action. It also seems a good time to reflect on bullying in the context of the higher education sector.
No student left behind
Hengyi Wang, Debbie Sperring, Dr Sarah Watson and Lizzy McKinney – Student Academic Success Advisors at the University of Sussex Business School – have produced a very useful overview outlining how they have tried to ensure that no student is left behind due to moving teaching online, especially international students.
Academic Advising Online.
Alison McCamley and Karl Baker-Green discussing some issues concerning academic advising Online.