Improving transition into university life through real and virtual groups

Ahmed, S. and Honeychurch, S. (2014) Improving transition into university life through real and virtual groups. In: HEA STEM Annual Learning and Teaching Conference 2014: Enhancing the STEM Student Journey, John McIntyre Conference Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh First, Pollock Halls campus, 18 Holyrood Park Road, Edinburgh, EH16 5AY, 30 April - 1 May 2014,

Abstract

In this talk we will present an overview of the initiatives undertaken within the Student Learning Service in order to ease transition into the numerate disciplines at the University of Glasgow. We will discuss how we make use of social networking tools in order to communicate with students and support virtual PAL type activities. In particular, we will show how we are using Facebook groups as a mechanism for students to support each other both academically and socially and explain how we have introduced pre-entry support and offered advice for new entrants in the College of Science & Engineering using these groups. We will also briefly discuss plans to run maths support labs during summer school for local students during the next academic session and show how we have successfully introduced semi-formal events such as maths-related film afternoons and craft activities.

• Item Type: Conference Proceedings
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Honeychurch, Dr Sarah and Ahmed, Mrs Shazia
• Authors: Ahmed, S., and Honeychurch, S.
• Subjects: L Education > L Education (General)
• College/School: University Services > Learning and Teaching Services Division
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2014 The Higher Education Academy
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher.

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