The PCW issue Improving the � Student experience perspective student experience � Focus on quality assurance � Project looks for a range of strategies Postgraduate Coursework students: barriers and the role of the institution. Dr Lisa Cluett & Dr Judy Skene Today… Part 1 - Context � What do PCW students expect from their University experience? � How do institutions meet the needs of these students? + + + Context Survey Barriers Future Characteristics Student expectations Diverse population: Value - curriculum, teaching, resources � � Respect - recognition of experience • international v domestic � Flexibility - delivery, contact • part-time v full time Feedback - regular, individual, constructive � • on-campus v external Networking - fellow students and academic staff � • ‘professional’ v ‘generalist’ � Support - IT, learning support • degree v work experience Post-course em ployment - information, opportunities � 1
Institutional Context Literature review DEST AUTC (Reid et al, 2003) (Couthard, 2000) Focus only on ‘professional’ degrees High Concern re staff adm inistrative expectations workloads Num bers Delivery International Low List of principles including: rising modes enrolments satisfaction • Curriculum content Workload • Student engagement Employment Competition and staffing conditions • Assessment procedures What’s missing? Trends – DEST data � Overall, few studies on PCW • AGE 20-29yrs: 63,379 [ 30-39yrs: 41,181] � Focus on professional degrees gives impression of distinct cohorts • COURSE but many PCW students not easily identified � Males – Management: 37,431 [ IT: 10,553] Females – Management: 25,576 [ Society/ culture: Focus on specific cohorts m isses the overall PCW � 11,355] experience : � Needs of students beyond the faculty • GROWTH � Institutional responses to enrolment, orientation and 15.5% increase since previous year recruitment Groups of students ‘falling between the cracks’ � Not possible to extract international enrolments Trends – DEST data Notables… 10000 University of NSW 8000 � “Postgraduate Coursework Committee” 6000 � Part of the Academic Board 4000 � Established guidelines for promotion and support 2000 � Made a series of recommendations � Induction UQ Griff UWA UTS Syd Mon RMIT USQ QUT ECU UniSA Flin Adel ANU ACU � Representation UNSW Deak UMel Curtin � Resourcing � Support NSW VIC QLD WA SA ACT 2
Part 2 – The Surveys Methods On-line surveys in 2004 and 2005 � � PCW students surveyed at the end of their FY Response rate of 6% � � Surveyed course coordinators � Interviewed PSA representatives Student Survey Results - students About you � 100% Pre UWA, domestic/ Int’l, faculty, study mode, language � SD 80% D Transition 60% � N Smooth, enjoyed, success, friends, activities, balance, � 40% A preparation, overwhelming. (plus 2 open questions) 20% SA 0% Orientation � Y s s y e g Attended, enjoyed, improve, booklet, services (plus 5 open) d n � F d e d c e o n n n i u i d t p i m e i t a t e v l i s e s i i a l l y r t n e f n h o c b h a j + a i n n r w l o 1 u o t E l t r Future a f i h � t e i s e c a t v s l o o b r O e o a S A c p m � Plans next year (plus 4 open) c e u S r S P Results Part 3 - Barriers to Best Practice • Some positive results vs feeling ‘overwhelmed’ a + (b – c) = Student comments Acknowledge complex situation Staff feedback Acknowledge difficulties PSA interviews Survey will be extended in 2006 3
Identity and status Identity and status Heterogeneous group outside ‘professional’ courses � “Sometimes feel that coursework, students fall between undergrads and "real" research � variations in study cycle, contact times, delivery mode postgrads. Have got to know no other postgrads really, but enjoyed working with undergrad students anyway… ” Lack of a ‘home’ � physically and administratively � “I don't have m any classes and don't associate with anyone outside of class. I'd like to socialise Perceptions of low status � more, but with whom?? My classmates see me as within and outside the group � 'old', even though I am only 35!” Student comments from 2004 and 2005 surveys Representation Representation Comm ittees � “It is a notoriously difficult job to find a [ PCW rep] Student representation to university groups for the PSA… The PGCW representatives pulled out � in 2003 and 2004. The position hasn’t been filled in 2005 or 2006”. Executive levels � Gap between undergraduate and research � “It is therefore hard to know what these students want or need. There is a generally low attendance at events although they are always welcome. Staff networks � Can’t get them to Careers Week because we can’t � Support for course administrators, information sharing find them!!” Comments from 2005 and 2006 PSA Presidents Logistics and admin Logistics and admin “..the main focus [ of our welcome] is for the Cohort sizes � Honours class but covers postgrad as well” can be very small, courses not run every year � “This year we aren't having an official welcome Teaching and adm inistering � function for the postgrad students” workload, isolation � “I am a new staff member who has to teach AND Locating students � coordinate this course… I enjoy the student contact but the workload can be incredible!” contact details, not administered centrally � Comments from 2005 staff survey 4
Part 4 – Recommendations Marketing Consistency of message � � Requires coordination and collaboration � Difficult in a devolved system Exacerbated by issues mentioned previously � Quality assurance in service delivery � Welcome Home Orientation Geographical and institutional � � First impression Helps define a cohort � � � Information on services � Representation on committees � Meet key staff � Figurehead on University executive � Network with peers � Study space Discuss expectations from both parties Involvement in faculty events � � Potential for on-line ‘communities’ � Trickle down Student comments Reinforcement of institutional goals � Buddy system/ mentoring ‘institution’ needs to communicate with key staff � Encourage cultural mixing Teaching relief for administrative work � General and faculty specific welcome � Support and networking for staff Tour of campus � Ease the identification of PCW students Don’t assume everyone went to UWA for undergrad � Set minimum standards (see UNSW report) 5
And it’s FREE… Conclusions Surveys revealed a num ber of options: Student experience extends beyond the Faculty Infrastructure needs to keep pace with enrolm ents • Allow PCW to share study space with Research students Lessons can be learned from professional courses • Include PCW students in your 'pgrad' email lists • Invite PCW students to present their projects in postgraduate seminar series’ • Provide a pigeonhole/ drop-file/ locker • Involve in Faculty events such as morning teas 6
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