SET for success: University of York Simon Davis Socialisation and E-learning Technology to facilitate first year transition

Transition to Higher Education “You think like how am I any different to what I was like in June when I was at school, to October in University? You’re no different yourself, but you’re supposed to be like an Undergraduate and it’s like wow it’s so different...”

2010 Roll out: 22 sites in 13 depts

Transition support: aims and benefits  Support students / hit the ground running –Retention –Get “head start”  Ease induction week / information overload  Develop community  Manage admin processes  Subject specific information and content  Academic skills and expectations  Orientation / welfare / socialisation  Sites content also reflected local priorities

Typical content  “Need to know” info  Communication channels and socialisation  Dept culture (eg Video guides/talking head )  Subject prep (reading lists, lectures, essays, brush up materials, practice tests)  Academic preparation (learning styles, academic integrity)  Orientation / welfare

2010 access stats

2010 Evaluation / feedback  Stats, surveys, focus groups (*10)  Pre-arrival: VLE not only source of information  Looking for: info, insight, headstart  Video content: reviewed positively  VLE communication: appreciated for academic queries, requires facilitation  Social networks: –Expected and widely used –Concerns about blurring lines with social spaces

Overall impressions  LLS – “reassuring” –“all of the communication through the site over summer gave the impression that the department was friendly, organised and one that I was looking forward to becoming a part of...”  Chem PG –“It was nice to have information given to you before you actually got here”  Psychology –“I was amazed by how much support we get... Really unexpected and very nice”

Activity in 2011  Institutional recognition (UTC / Forum)  Ongoing site development in light of feedback and evaluation –Refining content and focus, communication channels and strategy, promotion  New departments engaging –Electronics (PG), Centre for Applied Human Rights, Physics, Psychology PG, Law  Applicants sites –Chemistry UG, Biology PG, Electronics PG  Applicants’ portal coming in 2011

Applicant portal (Launch October 2011)

Applicant or transition site? Pre- application Post-applicationTransition Why university Which subject Open days How to apply Entry requirements Why York’s course over other offers Sample materials Department culture Progress of application Contact with students/staff Funding Visit days Campus and city facilities Pre-arrival planning Enrolment Apply for accommodation Academic preparation Subject brush up Skills development Socialisation with peers Q&A with staff / students 12

Issues to address  What is required at each stage of applicant and transition process?  Supporting depts  Promoting sites and portal  Evaluating effectiveness –Recruitment –Retention –Induction –Study

Questions? University of York Simon Davis