Managing Student Expectations During Transition

Dowell, F. J., King, A. and Bain, M. M. (2016) Managing Student Expectations During Transition. MVLS Scholarship Away Day, Glasgow, UK, 12 Sep 2016. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

It is recognised that the transition from school or college to university is a challenging and uncertain time for most students. One of the emerging issues is that there may be a mismatch between the expectations of students and staff in terms of what the university will provide in a number of different areas (academic guidance, personal support, monitoring and feedback) versus what is the students responsibility. An evaluation of the expectations of the programme from both the staff and student perspective would enable us to clarify the situation and allow us to address any disparity. Teaching staff and first and third year vet students at the University of Glasgow School of Veterinary Medicine were asked to complete the “Managing Expectations” questionnaire (adapted from Ingrid Moses, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia; Research supervision @ Oxford). Participants were asked to indicate the relative responsibility (student or Vet School) for 14 pairs of statements relating to transition into and through the programme. Completion of the questionnaire was anonymous and voluntary. The questionnaire will be presented along with the results obtained; the data illustrates aspects where student and staff expectations are concordant (curriculum flexibility, attendance monitoring, mentoring and support) and areas where expectations are disparate (feedback, opportunities to practice clinical and animal handling skills). The implications of our findings will be discussed. This data will help us manage expectations of future cohorts of students and to implement improved support mechanisms during the transition from school/college to university and onwards through the programme.

Item Type:Conference or Workshop Item
Status:Unpublished
Refereed:No
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:King, Dr Alison and Dowell, Dr Fiona and Bain, Professor Maureen
Authors: Dowell, F. J., King, A., and Bain, M. M.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine

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