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Creating a positive learning environment for Non-EU students - the role of academic support. Catherine Foster – Student Support Manager Helen Higson – Pro-Vice Chancellor. Session. Basis of research Aston University & Aston Business School Background Literature & Framework Research Future.
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Creating a positive learning environment for Non-EU students - the role of academic support Catherine Foster – Student Support Manager Helen Higson – Pro-Vice Chancellor
Session • Basis of research • Aston University & Aston Business School Background • Literature & Framework • Research • Future
Nationalities represented • Within all of Aston University (UG & PG) there are 174 nationalities represented. • 144 Nationalities at Undergraduate level • 156 Nationalities at Postgraduate level • See handout for full list
Why do you think there is such a contrast? • Take 5 mins to chat with the person next to you • In your experience, why do you think there is such a difference in performance? • Can cultural background impact student performance and success?
Do we need to change too? • Different needs for students – student body changed rapidly • Existing support structures may not be appropriate • Potential benefits/concerns: • Take 5 mins to discuss your current support structures • do you think they meet the needs of all our students? • Is there anything you think we could do?
Literature • International student experience: (e.g. Robertson et al (2000), Lizzioet al (2002), Misra et al (2003) and Abel (2002)). • Focus on a range of issues: • students’ stress levels, areas in which international students experienced difficulties in integration such as colloquial language and accents and feelings of isolation and also methods of teaching and learning and assessment methods. • Student retention (including student support) (e.g. Bean & Metzer (1985), Tinto (1975), Reay (1998)). • focuses specifically on WP students i.e. those from non-traditional groups and not on Non-EU students
What we’re doing - CLIPP Research • “Creating a positive learning environment for Non-EU students” • Aims to investigate the current academic support available • EU-centric support structures – are they still appropriate? • Based on ABS UG students – series of Focus Groups and Interviews
Research Plan • Ethical Approval obtained • Focus Groups re-scheduled for October 2009 • Interviews re-scheduled for November 2009
Contact Information Catherine Foster c.s.foster@aston.ac.uk 0121 204 3137