Teaching students using technology : Facilitating success for students from low socioeconomic status backgrounds in Australian universities
- Authors: Devlin, Marcia , McKay, Jade
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australasian Journal of Educational Technology Vol. 32, no. 1 (2016), p. 92-106
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- Description: Australian higher education has adopted a widening participation agenda with a focus on the participation of disadvantaged students, particularly those from low socioeconomic status (LSES) backgrounds. As these students begin to enter university in greater number and proportion than ever before, there is increasing interest in how best to facilitate their success. A recent national study employed semi-structured interviews to ask 89 successful LSES students what had helped them succeed. Twenty-six staff experienced in effectively teaching and supporting LSES students were also interviewed about what approaches they used in their work. Analysis of the study's findings indicates a strong theme related to the use of technology in effectively teaching and supporting LSES students. In particular, the use of a range of resources and media, facilitating interactive and connected learning, enabling personalised learning and assuring high academic standards were found to contribute to student success. The implications of these findings are discussed with a specific focus on promoting effective teaching practice and informing related policy. At a time when the diversity of the student cohort in Australian higher education institutions is increasing, the findings reported in this paper are both timely and critical for educators and institutions. © 2016 Australasian Journal of Educational Technology.
- Authors: Devlin, Marcia , McKay, Jade
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australasian Journal of Educational Technology Vol. 32, no. 1 (2016), p. 92-106
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Australian higher education has adopted a widening participation agenda with a focus on the participation of disadvantaged students, particularly those from low socioeconomic status (LSES) backgrounds. As these students begin to enter university in greater number and proportion than ever before, there is increasing interest in how best to facilitate their success. A recent national study employed semi-structured interviews to ask 89 successful LSES students what had helped them succeed. Twenty-six staff experienced in effectively teaching and supporting LSES students were also interviewed about what approaches they used in their work. Analysis of the study's findings indicates a strong theme related to the use of technology in effectively teaching and supporting LSES students. In particular, the use of a range of resources and media, facilitating interactive and connected learning, enabling personalised learning and assuring high academic standards were found to contribute to student success. The implications of these findings are discussed with a specific focus on promoting effective teaching practice and informing related policy. At a time when the diversity of the student cohort in Australian higher education institutions is increasing, the findings reported in this paper are both timely and critical for educators and institutions. © 2016 Australasian Journal of Educational Technology.
Widening participation in Australia : Lessons on equity, standards, and institutional leadership
- Authors: McKay, Jade , Devlin, Marcia
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Book chapter
- Relation: Widening higher education participation : A global perspective 10 p. 161-179
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- Description: Widening participation movements inevitably give rise to discussions of the false dichotomy between equity and standards. The assumption is that by allowing differently prepared students into university and thereby improving equity, standards are somehow compromised. A recent national Australian study examined effective teaching and support of university students from low socio-economic status (LSES) backgrounds from the conceptual framework of bridging sociocultural incongruity rather than from a deficit perspective that assumes lower standards are operating. This chapter outlines the findings from that study of relevance to institutional leaders and policy makers. It draws on the rich qualitative data to show that, contrary to claims of lowered standards, students from low socio-economic backgrounds are high achievers who both expect and want high academic standards. It argues that the dichotomy between equity and standards is premised on an assumption of deficit in, and fundamental lack of respect for, students from diverse backgrounds which undermines the widening participation agenda. Where the false dichotomy exists in institutions, a situation is created which mitigates against LSES students feeling empowered to achieve high academic standards and overall success. It presents the key factors for empowering students from low socio-economic backgrounds to achieve academic success of the highest standard. © 2016 M. Shah, A. Bennett and E. Southgate Published by Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved.
Effective teaching and support of students from low socioeconomic status backgrounds : Practical advice for institutional policy makers and leaders
- Devlin, Marcia, Kift, Sally, Nelson, Karen, Smith, Liz, McKay, Jade
- Authors: Devlin, Marcia , Kift, Sally , Nelson, Karen , Smith, Liz , McKay, Jade
- Date: 2012
- Type: Text , Journal article , Technical report
- Relation: Vol. , no. (2012), p. 1-32
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- Description:
This resource has been developed as part of a national research project, Effective teaching and support of students from low socioeconomic status backgrounds: Resources for Australian higher education
. This guide provides practical advice about the teaching characteristics and strategies that contribute to the success of students from low socioeconomic status (LSES) and about the ways in which student agency may be enabled. This raises the question of how to identify LSES students. While it is necessary to identify students from LSES backgrounds at a policy level, and perhaps for measuring performance and allocating funds, it is very difficult, and potentially undesirable, to target students from LSES backgrounds individually for teaching and learning or support purposes. Good practice in teaching and supporting LSES students benefits all students. This guide has been prepared with this in mind. This guide is not intended as a manual for teaching LSES students, nor is it prescriptive about how the advice it offers might be implemented. Instead, it offers general, practical advice that has emerged from relevant literature in the field, 26 interviews with academic and professional staff in six universities experienced in the effective teaching and support of LSES students, and 89 interviews with successful LSES students in three universities about what helped them succeed. The guide draws on the voices of staff and students and through sharing their views offers broad advice in five areas of teaching that may be of assistance to busy teaching staff. We recommend considering the advice and suggestions in this guide within the context of your discipline and workload.
- Authors: Devlin, Marcia , Kift, Sally , Nelson, Karen , Smith, Liz , McKay, Jade
- Date: 2012
- Type: Text , Journal article , Technical report
- Relation: Vol. , no. (2012), p. 1-32
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description:
This resource has been developed as part of a national research project, Effective teaching and support of students from low socioeconomic status backgrounds: Resources for Australian higher education
. This guide provides practical advice about the teaching characteristics and strategies that contribute to the success of students from low socioeconomic status (LSES) and about the ways in which student agency may be enabled. This raises the question of how to identify LSES students. While it is necessary to identify students from LSES backgrounds at a policy level, and perhaps for measuring performance and allocating funds, it is very difficult, and potentially undesirable, to target students from LSES backgrounds individually for teaching and learning or support purposes. Good practice in teaching and supporting LSES students benefits all students. This guide has been prepared with this in mind. This guide is not intended as a manual for teaching LSES students, nor is it prescriptive about how the advice it offers might be implemented. Instead, it offers general, practical advice that has emerged from relevant literature in the field, 26 interviews with academic and professional staff in six universities experienced in the effective teaching and support of LSES students, and 89 interviews with successful LSES students in three universities about what helped them succeed. The guide draws on the voices of staff and students and through sharing their views offers broad advice in five areas of teaching that may be of assistance to busy teaching staff. We recommend considering the advice and suggestions in this guide within the context of your discipline and workload.
Effective teaching and support of students from low socioeconomic status backgrounds : Practical advice for teaching staff
- Devlin, Marcia, Kift, Sally, Nelson, Karen, Smith, Liz, McKay, Jade
- Authors: Devlin, Marcia , Kift, Sally , Nelson, Karen , Smith, Liz , McKay, Jade
- Date: 2012
- Type: Text , Journal article , Technical report
- Relation: Vol. , no. (2012), p. 1-32
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description:
This resource has been developed as part of a national research project, Effective teaching and support of students from low socioeconomic status backgrounds: Resources for Australian higher education
. This guide provides practical advice about the teaching characteristics and strategies that contribute to the success of students from low socioeconomic status (LSES) and about the ways in which student agency may be enabled. This guide is not intended as a manual for teaching students from low socioeconomic backgrounds, nor does it prescribe how the advice it offers might be implemented. Instead, it offers general, practical advice that has emerged from relevant literature in the field, 26 interviews with academic and professional staff in six universities experienced in the effective teaching and support of LSES students, and 89 interviews with successful LSES students in three universities about what helped them succeed. The guide draws on the voices of staff and students and, through sharing their views, offers broad advice in six areas of teaching that may assist busy teaching staff. We recommend considering the advice and suggestions in this guide within the context of your professional life, discipline and workload.
- Authors: Devlin, Marcia , Kift, Sally , Nelson, Karen , Smith, Liz , McKay, Jade
- Date: 2012
- Type: Text , Journal article , Technical report
- Relation: Vol. , no. (2012), p. 1-32
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description:
This resource has been developed as part of a national research project, Effective teaching and support of students from low socioeconomic status backgrounds: Resources for Australian higher education
. This guide provides practical advice about the teaching characteristics and strategies that contribute to the success of students from low socioeconomic status (LSES) and about the ways in which student agency may be enabled. This guide is not intended as a manual for teaching students from low socioeconomic backgrounds, nor does it prescribe how the advice it offers might be implemented. Instead, it offers general, practical advice that has emerged from relevant literature in the field, 26 interviews with academic and professional staff in six universities experienced in the effective teaching and support of LSES students, and 89 interviews with successful LSES students in three universities about what helped them succeed. The guide draws on the voices of staff and students and, through sharing their views, offers broad advice in six areas of teaching that may assist busy teaching staff. We recommend considering the advice and suggestions in this guide within the context of your professional life, discipline and workload.
Effective teaching and support of students from low socioeconomic status backgrounds : Resources for Australian higher education
- Devlin, Marcia, Kift, Sally, Nelson, Karen, Smith, Liz, McKay, Jade
- Authors: Devlin, Marcia , Kift, Sally , Nelson, Karen , Smith, Liz , McKay, Jade
- Date: 2012
- Type: Text , Journal article , Technical report
- Relation: Vol. , no. (2012), p. 1-104
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description:
The project found that the sociocultural incongruity that exists between students from low socioeconomic status (LSES) backgrounds and the institutions in which they study can be bridged through the provision of an empathic institutional context that: - values and respects all students - encompasses an institution-wide approach that is comprehensive, integrated and coordinated through the curriculum - incorporates inclusive learning environments and strategies - empowers students by making the implicit, explicit, and - focuses on student learning outcomes and success. These characteristics were derived through the project’s literature analysis and are supported by the evidence from interviews with 26 experienced staff and 89 successful LSES students conducted as part of this project. Synthesis and analysis of the interview data revealed four key themes to which institutions and staff need to attend to ensure the effective teaching and support of LSES students. The study found that the empathic institutional context: 1. employs inclusive teaching characteristics and strategies 2. enables student agency 3. facilitates life and learning support, and 4. takes into account students’ financial challenges. The project has generated a new integrated national resource, comprising five interrelated sets of materials and exemplars, all of which have been made available to the sector via the project website
1. a conceptual framework relevant to the Australian context 2. advice for policy makers and teaching and learning leaders 3. practical guidelines for academic staff 4. materials to support professional development, and 5. a repository of effective policy, programs and practice.
- Authors: Devlin, Marcia , Kift, Sally , Nelson, Karen , Smith, Liz , McKay, Jade
- Date: 2012
- Type: Text , Journal article , Technical report
- Relation: Vol. , no. (2012), p. 1-104
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description:
The project found that the sociocultural incongruity that exists between students from low socioeconomic status (LSES) backgrounds and the institutions in which they study can be bridged through the provision of an empathic institutional context that: - values and respects all students - encompasses an institution-wide approach that is comprehensive, integrated and coordinated through the curriculum - incorporates inclusive learning environments and strategies - empowers students by making the implicit, explicit, and - focuses on student learning outcomes and success. These characteristics were derived through the project’s literature analysis and are supported by the evidence from interviews with 26 experienced staff and 89 successful LSES students conducted as part of this project. Synthesis and analysis of the interview data revealed four key themes to which institutions and staff need to attend to ensure the effective teaching and support of LSES students. The study found that the empathic institutional context: 1. employs inclusive teaching characteristics and strategies 2. enables student agency 3. facilitates life and learning support, and 4. takes into account students’ financial challenges. The project has generated a new integrated national resource, comprising five interrelated sets of materials and exemplars, all of which have been made available to the sector via the project website
1. a conceptual framework relevant to the Australian context 2. advice for policy makers and teaching and learning leaders 3. practical guidelines for academic staff 4. materials to support professional development, and 5. a repository of effective policy, programs and practice.
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