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Widening Participation through Curriculum 30 th April - 1 st May 2014

Open to all? The impact of curriculum and technological change on the experience of ‘widening participation students’ studying Science at the Open University. Widening Participation through Curriculum 30 th April - 1 st May 2014. Background to study.

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Widening Participation through Curriculum 30 th April - 1 st May 2014

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  1. Open to all? The impact of curriculum and technological change on the experience of ‘widening participation students’ studying Science at the Open University Widening Participation through Curriculum 30th April - 1st May 2014

  2. Background to study • Significant changes to Open University students experience in recent years • Greater financial burden on students • Increased focus on the use of online technologies • Changes to how students register onto and progress through qualifications • Little understanding of effect on students • Even less understanding of effect on WP students

  3. Focus of research • Research question: • What is the experience of WP students studying Science at the Open University? • Why Science? • Radical changes to curriculum and use of online technologies in past two years • Why WP students? • Some evidence that students from WP background adversely affected by financial changes and increased reliance on online technologies

  4. Method • Selection of sample according to WP (widening access) priority groups • Students from low socio-economic groups • Black and ethnic minority students from low socio-economic groups • Disabled students • (Carers) • (Students in prison or on licence) • Sample of 165 students new to study at the OU enrolled on HE level 4 module: Exploring Science

  5. The sample

  6. Interview questions • Curriculum issues • Why the OU and particular module • Qualification choice and guidance received • Workload • Technological issues • Use of online technologies to support learning • Attitudes to online learning • Financial issues • Funding for studies • Perceptions of value for money

  7. Research reported here • Revised foci for study • Experience of disabled students • Emphasis on curriculum and technological issues • Wider experience of WP students and financial issues not addressed

  8. The Participants

  9. The sampleSpecific circumstance or condition

  10. Declared disability

  11. Findings • Differential identification of participants • Students A, B and C – passing reference to disability • Students D and E – explicit reference to disability • Corresponding influence on study experience • University choice • Use of online technology • Access to study related support • Academic workload

  12. E E E E Findings Identification as student B B B B University choice C C C C Study related support A A A A D D D D Online technology use Academic workload Identification as disabled student

  13. Conclusion • Self-identification a key factor • Influence of disability on student experience • Determined by specific impairments • Part of mix of other factors

  14. Centre for Inclusion and Collaborative PartnershipsThe Open UniversityWalton HallMilton KeynesMK7 6AA www.open.ac.uk/cicp

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