Where in the world is room N101? Engaging with first year education students' experiences of transition
Perry, Chris and Allard, Andrea 2002, Where in the world is room N101? Engaging with first year education students' experiences of transition, in ATEA 2002 : Teacher education 2010 : Proceedings of the 30th Annual Australian Teacher Education Association Conference, Toowoomba Education Centre, Toowoomba, Qld., pp. 1-13.
Attached Files
Name
Description
MIMEType
Size
Downloads
Title
Where in the world is room N101? Engaging with first year education students' experiences of transition
Australian Teacher Education Association Conference
Start page
1
End page
13
Publisher
Toowoomba Education Centre
Place of publication
Toowoomba, Qld.
Summary
National reports on students’ experiences in their first year of tertiary study suggest that many students, particularly those coming directly from secondary schools, find the transition into university life particularly difficult. These reports suggest that while many students find the experience to be a challenging hurdle others feel disengaged and unconnected to academic life. Reports also note that many students enter university with the expectation that their university experience should 'fit into their lives' rather than vice-versa.
Additionally, research indicates that successful transitional experiences for undergraduate students are critical in promoting effective learning habits, positive attitudes and openness to new knowledge. Establishing positive practices in the early days of the undergraduate course can enable students to utilise these experiences and knowledge as a part of their life-long professional habits. However, in order for this to occur, connections must be made, and relationships built, between students and their new peer groups and with the wider academic community. Connections must also be made between students' prior experiences and their new knowledge.
In light of the findings of recent research and reports, Deakin University has instituted a First Year Initiative to assist students in their transitions. Alongside and complementary to this, the Faculty of Education has developed a new three year Education Studies Major program which began this year.
In this paper, we discuss the ways in which the first two units of this new educational program aim to address some of the issues that students face when making the transition into university life. We see the implementation of the first two units as a 'pilot study' and while at this stage, evaluation of these units is only beginning, here we will consider some of the pedagogical strategies, resources, organisational structures and 'grounded' experiences that are being trialled as means to help students make the connections and take the first successful steps in their journey to becoming professional educators. Ways in which these new approaches aim to build important relationships between students, with staff and, as well, help them connect their prior experiences with new knowledge, will be considered in light of the literature on first year student transitions.
Every reasonable effort has been made to ensure that permission has been obtained for items included in DRO. If you believe that your rights have been infringed by this repository, please contact drosupport@deakin.edu.au.