An Exploration of Student Learning Experiences

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An Exploration of Student Learning Experiences

• Dr Ann Henry Dr Pamela Sutton
• Faculty of Media, Arts Society
• Southampton Institute of Higher Education
• PLAT 2002 (LTSN) York 18th-20th March 2002
• E-mail Ann.Henry_at_solent.ac.uk

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An Exploration of Student Learning Experiences

• Objectives
• Theoretical Background
• Rationale context of project
• Brief overview of longitudinal project
• Brief summary of key findings to date
• Conclusions

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An Exploration of Student Learning Experiences

• Theoretical Background
• Students Approaches to Learning (Entwistle
  Ramsden, 1983) Surface, Strategic Deep
• Students Conceptions of Learning (Chalmers
  Fuller, 1996)
• Presage-Process-Product Model (Prosser, Trigwell,
  Hazel Gallagher, 1994a)

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An Exploration of Student Learning Experiences

• Rationale context of project
• Reflection on own methods of Teaching
• How do our psychology students learn ?
• HE University Sector College
• Mean Entry Level points 16.9 (std Dev 4.9)

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An Exploration of Student Learning Experiences

• Brief overview of longitudinal project
• Stage 1 Questionnaires n 57 level 1 psychology
  students (99/00)
• Stage 2 Questionnaires n54 focus groups with
  sample of level 2 students n16 (00/01)
• Stage 3 Questionnaires focus groups with level
  3 students interviews with academic staff
  (01/02)

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An Exploration of Student Learning Experiences

• Mean Scores
• Strategic 14.62
• Surface 14.95
• Deep 16.34

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An Exploration of Student Learning Experiences

• Brief summary of key findings Stage 1
• Approach to learning at level 1 is related to
• Initial expectations of HE (questionnaire
  compared FE HE experiences)
• Revision strategies (Positive benefits of
  discussing topics with other students using
  lecture handouts/notes to structure revision)
• Grades achieved (High Strategic learner score
  more beneficial than High Deep learner score)

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An Exploration of Student Learning Experiences

• Brief summary of key findings Stage 2
• Significant positive (moderate) correlations
  between Approaches to learning at level 1 level
  2 (Strategic .416, plt.008 Surface.495,
  plt.001 Deep.385, plt.016)
• Focus group data offer insight into students
  conceptions of learning (surface strategic
  learners more likely to refer to acquiring
  knowledge, improving skills, retaining info
  deep learners more likely to refer to learning to
  see things from a different perspective, gain new
  experiences views)

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An Exploration of Student Learning Experiences

• Conclusions
• Students learning experiences at level 1 in HE
  are influenced by their previous learning
  experiences in FE
• Entwistle Ramsdens Approaches qnaire provides
  some insight into student learning, but social
  desirability a potential problem
• Focus group data provide support for Chalmers
  Fuller, (1996) re students conceptions of
  learning
• Overall, general support for Presage-Process-Produ
  ct Model (Trigwell et al, 1994a) Stage 3 of study
  will explore this model in more depth

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An Exploration of Student Learning Experiences
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An Exploration of Student Learning Experiences