1. Southern Cross University

2. Southern Cross University
QPEN Members
Southern Cross University

3. Southern Cross University
Capturing Student Voice for Success in an Enabling Program –
Preparing for Success Program (the PSP)
Dr Suzi Hellmundt, Preparing for Success Program Southern Cross University
Southern Cross University

4. What do you like about studying in the PSP?
“Challenging myself and getting my brain working again!
“The realisation I can actually do this with the tools I have been given …”
Southern Cross University

5. The Preparing for Success at SCU Program
enrolments 3 x per year
a fee-free, 12-week course
offered part-time or full-time
comprises four units (subjects)
offered on campus and online
Southern Cross University

6. The Preparing for Success at SCU Program
Students:
need to be 18 years old
have Year 10 or equivalent
The program has won
a National OLT citation, 2014
the Vice Chancellor’s award for excellence, 2014
Southern Cross University

7. Southern Cross University
Our focus
The literature often focuses on barriers and challenges for students in enabling programs (Hodges et al., 2013; Lisciandro & Gibbs, 2016)
Our focus was on student voice and strategies for success
Southern Cross University

8. Southern Cross University
Our study
Research question: How might student knowledge and experience inform the development of strategies for encouraging student engagement in enabling programs? 443 enrolled students: in the core unit Managing your Study Mixed method: questionnaire, survey, focus groups Emerging themes following grounded theory approach Themes came out of the data from the students
Southern Cross University

9. Qualitative data collection
When
Method
Respondents
Response rate
Orientation
Open-ended questionnaire
215
 97%
Weeks 3-5
Online survey, mixed method
152
40%
Weeks 9-12
Focus groups
15 internals,
15 externals
volunteers
Southern Cross University

10. Key findings Questionnaire at Orientation
Key themes
Past students’ talks are motivating
“Having ex PSP students really motivated me -
I can’t wait to start! “
Southern Cross University

11. Key findings Questionnaire at Orientation
Key themes
Being physically shown through MySCU with activity boosts confidence and thus engagement with learning and course
“The info made me feel a lot more confident and at ease”
Southern Cross University

12. Key findings Questionnaire at Orientation
Key themes
Meeting fellow students facilitates sense of belonging and encourages early commitment - retention
“Talking to people curbed my nerves”
Southern Cross University

13. Findings from Online Survey
Key themes
Tutor approachability increases confidence
“I like being in the classroom and having my thinking challenged”
“The tutors were there and answered my questions without making me feel stupid.”
Southern Cross University

14. Findings from Online Survey
Key themes
Discussion Board and Online Tutorials create space for learning and connection
“Networking with other students”
“Face-to-Face feeling but still be in PJs”
Southern Cross University

15. Southern Cross University
Focus groups
Key themes
Interaction with peers enhances sense of belonging, deepens understandings & broadens perspectives
“Group activities that encourage students to exchange ideas and get to know each other”
Southern Cross University

16. Focus groups Key themes
Student-focused approach to teaching and learning builds a sense of ‘can do’ and independent learning
“Learning about myself”
Southern Cross University

17. Southern Cross University
Focus groups
Key themes
Breaking down tasks and modelling with examples helped with their understanding of task and how to complete it
“It was great to have things demonstrated with clear examples and then practical exercises that the tutor did first”.
Southern Cross University

18. Southern Cross University
And out of the data …
All of this data from the students was analysed Four key themes were identified Out of these four themes came our model …
Southern Cross University

19. A student focused framework from the student responses
G. E. M. S.
Southern Cross University

20. Southern Cross University
The G.E.M.S. framework:
G – Guidance
E – Encouragement
M – Modelling
S – Structure
G. E. M. S.
Southern Cross University

21. The first GEM: G – Guidance
Student responses indicated that Guidance meant:
Accessible tutors
Scaffolding of key concepts
Group activities where students help each other
Southern Cross University

22. The second GEM: E – Encouragement
Student responses indicated that Encouragement meant:
Positive and inspiring tutors
Students sharing their experience
Encouraging and informative feedback
Early assignments to see how they are going
Southern Cross University

23. Enriched Feedback Process – see http://flipcurric.edu.au/
Coming from student responses
Southern Cross University

24. The third GEM: M – Modelling
Student responses indicated that Modelling meant:
Shared expectations on discussion board and in class
Modelled responses in how to do tasks
Examplars of past student work
Southern Cross University

25. The fourth GEM: S – Structure
Student responses indicated that Structure meant:
Easy navigation of online tools and resources
Assignments clearly aligned with learning outcomes and weekly tasks
Course clearly structured and interconnected
Southern Cross University

26. Building a multifaceted gem …
“It’s not a question of if I am going to uni, it’s about how well will I do” stated Amelia, one 28 year old woman
Southern Cross University

27. How does G.E.M.S. resonate with you and your programs?
Any questions?
Thank you 
Southern Cross University

28. Southern Cross University
Quotes
“I like the idea of helping each other, proof reading each other’s work”
Southern Cross University

29. Southern Cross University
Quotes
“the difference between knowing the concepts and definitions and being able to identify them in practice”
Southern Cross University

30. Southern Cross University
Quotes
“It’s good preparation for uni, e.g. essay writing, learnt how to avoid procrastination, self- awareness”
Southern Cross University

31. Southern Cross University
Quotes
“Gaining confidence by approaching challenges made unfrightening”
Southern Cross University

32. Southern Cross University
Quotes
“I’m not so intimidated about going to uni, lost the stigma about going to uni”
Southern Cross University

33. Southern Cross University
Quotes
“…the introduction to university. It has made me confident that I can succeed”
Southern Cross University