Student Experience Research Articles

An in-depth analysis of undergraduate students experiences in the transition from F2F learning to online learning

An in-depth analysis of undergraduate students experiences in the transition from F2F learning to online learning

How students learn to lead in pre- and early-career experiences.

This study illuminates the leadership experiences of undergraduate business students undertaking a 1-year work placement. Semi-structured interviews and reflective journals were used to explore the students' leadership experiences before and during their placement. Through reflection on these experiences, students were able to make sense of their own leadership learning as well as develop their leadership identity. A main contribution of this study has been the formulation of a theoretical model that fully acknowledges prior lived experience, and the multi-layered and complex process of leadership identity development.

A qualitative study of students’ lived experience and perceptions of using ChatGPT: immediacy, equity and integrity

ABSTRACT The lived experience of students in their interaction with ChatGPT is underexplored. We conducted qualitative, semi-structured interviews with management students, who recently graduated, to explore their lived experiences and perceptions of using ChatGPT during their studies. Insights gained from the thematic analysis indicate positive perceptions of individual use of ChatGPT. Perceptions were mixed in relation to peers’ use of ChatGPT, especially during group work, where members’ “inappropriate” use of ChatGPT can lead to academic misconduct affecting all group members. Three themes emerged from our analysis: immediacy, equity, and integrity. The use of ChatGPT is driven by its immediate reassurance and validation properties, and for its potential to augment performance and creativity. Participants expressed concerns regarding equitable access to software and the risk of devaluing future degrees in the eyes of employers. Integrity was seen and articulated as problematic in the absence of institutional transparency and clear policy. These findings inform our discussion and recommendations – for the use of ChatGPT by students; for learning and teaching at module and programme level; and for policy development. The study contributes to the growing body of literature related to ChatGPT in higher education and emphasises the need to focus on student voice first.

Estranged Relations: African American Student Experiences with University Police on a Predominantly White Campus

Estranged Relations: African American Student Experiences with University Police on a Predominantly White Campus

Building a foundation for socially just peer leaders.

Peer leaders have shown a significant impact in the support they offer their peers. Due to this, many institutions have increased the initiatives that peer leader are utilized in to strengthen student experience and development. However, even though social justice has grown as a priority in higher education, many peer leaders do not experience any type of social justice training throughout their development. In this qualitative study, peer leaders of all types were interviewed to explore how they currently serve as socially just leaders and what support they are looking for from their institution to help them feel prepared as socially just leaders. This research is explored through the culturally relevant leadership learning model as we look at the support that peer leaders offer their institution, the impact peer leaders can have as socially just leaders, and the support that can be provided by institutions for socially just peer leader development.

The Experiences of Practical Nurse Students in Promoting the Rehabilitation of the Elderly Through Nursing Care and Its Education – A Secondary Publication

The significance of rehabilitation-promoting nursing care is emphasized in aging Finland. According to studies, rehabilitation-promoting nursing care enhances the functional capacity of the elderly. The Elderly Services Act obliges municipalities to create a plan to support the elderly population, emphasizing living at home and rehabilitative measures. A large portion of graduated practical nurses will be working with the elderly, so the education of practical nurses must meet the needs of the workforce. The study aimed to produce new information on the implementation of rehabilitation-promoting nursing care in the elderly services system and on the education of rehabilitation-promoting nursing care for the elderly in vocational institutions. The research data was collected in the fall of 2020 through individual theme interviews with practical nurse students (n = 8). The data was analyzed using inductive content analysis. The experiences of practical nurse students regarding rehabilitation-promoting nursing care for the elderly were related to nurses’ time management, organizational practices, nurses’ competence, nurses’ attitudes, nurses’ methods of operation, organizational development, implementation and development of practical teaching, factors affecting the use of aids, and the technology of aids in the future. In conclusion, it can be stated that the content of education and practical work life do not align. It is essential to increase competence in rehabilitation-promoting nursing care and develop organizational practices.

The potential of student as partners approaches for humanitarian developments

This article explores the potential for students-as-partners models developed in the scholarship of teaching and learning and educational development fields to be expanded to new agendas such as humanitarian developments and other agendas related to the so-called civic university. There is a growing appetite for students and staff to work in partnership due to the mutual benefits for both parties (Mapstone et al., 2017), yet the majority of the published works on students as partners is almost exclusively reporting upon partnership activities relating to curriculum and wider student experience developments in higher education. This paper explores the literature on best practice for working with students as partners in order to create new recommendations for how the students-as-partners model can be applied successfully for community and humanitarian development projects, rather than curricular, teaching, or research projects By drawing on literature from student voice, student engagement in quality assurance, and co-design, this paper will highlight the great potential of student-staff partnerships for addressing other development agendas globally.

Addressing inconsistency in use of the LMS

Inconsistency in the use of the learning management system (LMS) by academic staff is a source of dissatisfaction among university students in the UK. One solution is to establish a set of minimum standards (or baseline) for LMS use within an individual institution. Another is to supply templates – frameworks for LMS course sites – with a view to providing students with a seamless experience in their interactions with the LMS. This paper describes how the issue of inconsistency was addressed at a leading research university in the UK through an exploratory project, WebLearn Improved Student Experience (WISE). The widespread devolution of responsibility for site management to administrative staff, together with the ‘maverick’ creation of course sites by those academics who chose to engage with the WebLearn LMS, had resulted in unevenness in students’ access to learning materials. The project team engaged in close collaboration with 19 departments in order to achieve the immediate purpose of improving uptake of, and consistency in, their LMS presence. The ultimate aim was to develop a support package comprising LMS templates and ‘best practice’ guidelines that would enable departments in the future to achieve the same objective, either unsupported or with minimal assistance from the central team of learning technologists. The project was evaluated using a modification of the Innovation Histories method, which included interviews with 13 participants. The evaluation findings additionally threw into relief the complex social and cultural factors at play that can inhibit a consistent student experience in an institutional LMS.

Developing a technology enhanced learning framework to gain a snapshot of institutional successes and challenges

Across higher education, institutions continue to invest in technology enhanced learning (TEL) as it has the potential to transform and improve the quality of learning, teaching and the student experience. Despite the investment, many still struggle to identify and address the elements that are essential to enabling institutional success. This paper focuses on the iterative development of a TEL Framework that aims to provide a fast and efficient snapshot of institutional challenges and successes in TEL, alongside a set of actionable recommendations to move the institution forward. The Framework is based on a set of 8 themes the authors have identified as critical to the success of TEL. The themes are used as part of dialogic process, designed to gather perspectives on how TEL is being used across an institution. By June 2017, the TEL Framework was trialled in 6 institutions. Using a workshop format, participants engaged in a three-step guided process known as DIP – Discover, Interpret and Pitch. At the core of this process were cards that represented the 8 TEL theme. These were used to surface participant’s perceptions. Overall, most participants agreed, that the TEL Framework was a valuable process to use to uncover institutional successes and challenges in TEL and that the theme cards were useful in stimulating these insights. The TEL Framework is still a work in progress and so its effectiveness is still being determined. However, early indications are that it is a useful instrument for gathering perceptions, and in identifying TEL challenges and successes.

Metaphors postgraduates use to depict their student experience

In an Australian national study into student constructions of postgraduate education, 38 students (masters and doctoral) were asked to draw literal or figurative pictures of their experience. Manual thematic analysis of interview transcripts revealed 33 metaphors. Metaphors were coded into individualistic, personal constructions (Me), relational community depictions (Us) and digital or information technology conceptualisations (IT) which were mapped to the Community of Inquiry (CoI) Framework’s elements of Cognitive, Social and Teaching Presence. The highest proportion of metaphors were about personal gain and process. The next largest thematic category was relational, mostly depicting what students think others should give, rather than student contribution. Aligned with this theme, students also used metaphors of isolation and perceptions of a missing ‘us’ factor. There were few metaphors drawn from the language of information technology and/or digital presence, which seems to flag a domain of the postgraduate student experience that requires further development. The key takeaways from this paper are expanded information about digital presence in postgraduate student experience, as well as quality improvement recommendations for universities.

From how to why

This is a longitudinal case study of student perspectives on Western Sydney University’s strategic initiatives to promote technology-enhanced learning (TEL) from 2012 to 2017. The study analyses data from students throughout this period, and includes consideration of how the student experience is being shaped by academic and institutional support for TEL. Initially the University focus was on use of mobile technologies and ‘blended’ learning environments; as a platform for transforming pedagogy. In 2013, teaching staff and new undergraduate students were issued with tablet devices. As well as investing in the devices and supporting campus infrastructure, the institution also provided additional support for curriculum and staff development. For two years, students’ feedback about the tablets was overwhelmingly positive about their value for learning. In 2015, most undergraduates had tablet devices and TEL was becoming business as usual. However, the evaluation feedback that year showed that use of tablets had begun to decrease and there was a corresponding increase in use of smartphones. For some activities, laptops were preferred. In 2016, multiple types of device were issued to students, with some disciplines choosing laptops and in 2017 the University provided free digital textbooks instead of devices. Students’ use of different devices for learning activity has been shifting and evidence gathered internally from students and staff has played a role in adapting to this. While TEL strategies differ between universities, the analysis provides an example of how systematic evaluation evidence can support systemic adaptation as the learning technology environment changes.

Blended learning as a disruption in a vocational education building program

A building and construction teaching team in a vocational education school (within a university in Melbourne) introduced a blended learning model to one-third of their program. Traditionally, building students are accustomed to a high ratio of face-to-face learning, therefore, this new model disrupted the experience of both teacher and student. The model was examined using e-learning evaluation research methodology and findings are presented using the framework of Glazer’s (2012) characteristics of blended learning. Examination of the program identified areas in need of attention, such as active learning and online interaction and communication. Finally the authors promote the use of Glazer’s framework as a pedagogical evaluation tool for blended learning designs, while drawing out a particular focus on teacher presence as a distinct item in this framework.

Using the perceptions of online university students to improve the pedagogy and practice of distance educators

This paper reports on the findings of an investigation into the experiences of undergraduate and postgraduate distance education students from one higher education institution, Avondale College of Higher Education. All of the institution’s current students who were enrolled in a distance course or who had previously completed a distance component of their course were surveyed using an online questionnaire. A subgroup of this population also contributed to focus group discussions. Findings from an analysis of the combined data gathered from the online questionnaire and the focus groups were used to inform the institution’s professional development (PD) program that supports lecturers to design and teach online courses. Results of the study are outlined in terms of distance students’ perceptions about the institution’s distance education program, specifically in relation to course structure, interaction and communication, presentation of materials, use of media and design consistency. The paper concludes with recommendations for addressing the weaknesses of online learning programs including both curriculum design and PD strategies.

Improving the undergraduate Science experience through an evidence-based framework for design, implementation and evaluation of flipped learning

Flipped Learning (FL) is a student-centred pedagogical approach where new content is introduced prior to class which permits more time during class for active learning. Despite the growing body of evidence of the effectiveness of FL, many educators are reluctant to adopt this approach to teaching or are unsure of how to implement FL in their classes. Many students are uncertain of how to adapt their approaches to learning to a FL curriculum. In response to these challenges and calls for a robust framework to guide the design and implementation of FL, we developed the Flipped Teacher and Flipped Learner (FTFL) Framework based on the pedagogical literature. This paper reports on the use of our FTFL framework in the redesign of a large first year science subject from a traditional delivery to a FL delivery. We evaluated the efficacy of the redesign using a mixed methods approach with data on students’ interactions with FL activities, and student and educator experiences. Findings from two iterations of the redesign indicate successful implementation of FL through high student engagement with online and class materials, and positive feedback from students and academics. Using the FTFL framework to guide the design and integration of FL, with an emphasis on clear communication, is key to our successful FL intervention and support of student learning.

The combined effects of physical and virtual models in learning cellular biology

Physical models have long been used in science education for visualization of complex cellular structure and dynamics during face-to-face lecture (F2F). Recent advancement of technology has enabled us to create virtual models and to share knowledge remotely. This study aims to find out whether physical and virtual models work synergistically to enhance student engagement in learning an undergraduate Life Sciences module. Three independent experiments were conducted to assess learning effectiveness on three biology concepts through four learning approaches: video with virtual model only, video with integration of virtual and physical model demonstration, F2F lecture using virtual model only, F2F lecture using virtual and physical models. Participants were randomly assigned to different groups each with one learning approach. Data collected through pre- and post-tests revealed that significant improvement in learning scientific concepts occurred in one of three controlled experiments when the video contains both virtual and physical models, while no obvious difference found in the other two experiments. This data suggests that well-prepared digital media alone may convey scientific information well and additional physical models do not aid in information acquisition. However, feedback survey on student learning experience showed that all participants preferred to learn from physical models. In all three experiments, students consistently voted that the physical models attracted their attention and enhanced their interests. They made better mind maps and raised more questions. These hint that a combination of digital media with physical models might improve engagement and promote higher order thinking.

Explaining learning achievement in student experience of blended learning

Drawing on theories of student approaches to learning and sociomaterial perspectives on learning, we investigated how a combination of sociocognitive and sociomaterial variables explain variation in 365 students’ learning achievement in a first year human biology blended learning course in an Australian research intensive university. We used a close-ended questionnaire to measure students’ approaches to learning through inquiry, approaches to using online learning technologies, and their use of on-campus physical learning spaces. We obtained use of online learning tools in terms of frequency and duration through analytics provided by a proprietary learning management system. Students’ learning achievement was evaluated using six assessment tasks in the course. Correlation analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between approaches, use of online learning tools, use of oncampus physical learning spaces, and achievement. Based on the correlation results, we regressed learning achievement on approaches, use of online learning tools and physical learning spaces. The results showed that by introducing sociomaterial variables into the regression model, a significant proportion of learning achievement was explained over and above the explanations offered by sociocognitive factors alone, highlighting the important role of both sociocognitive and sociomaterial factors in blended learning.

Visualising mixed reality simulation for multiple users

Blended reality seeks to encourage co-presence in the classroom, blending student experience across virtual and physical worlds. In a similar way, Mixed Reality, a continuum between virtual and real environments, is now allowing learners to work in both the physical and the digital world simultaneously, especially when combined with an immersive headset experience. This experience provides innovative new experiences for learning, but faces the challenge that most of these experiences are single user, leaving others outside the new environment. The question therefore becomes, how can a mixed reality simulation be experienced by multiple users, and how can we present that simulation effectively to users to create a true blended reality environment? This paper proposes a study that uses existing screen production research into the user and spectator to produce a mixed reality simulation suitable for multiple users. A research method using Design Based Research is also presented to assess the usability of the approach.

Clinical Experience Comparison of Foreign-Trained Dentists and Domestic Dental Students: One Institution’s Experience

This study compared the clinical experiences of foreign-trained dentists (FTDs) enrolled in an Advance Standing DMD Dental Program (DMDAS) with those of the domestic dental students (DMD) at the University of Illinois Chicago, College of Dentistry (UIC-COD). A cross-sectional retrospective chart review of patients treated by 295 DMD and 253 DMDAS predoctoral dental students was completed at the UIC-COD. The data were retrieved from the electronic health record system (axiUm) for the graduated classes of 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 on various performed clinical procedures as measured by relative value units (RVUs). The retrieved data were used to compare the clinical experiences of DMDAS vs. DMD students. Descriptive (mean) and statistical (independent t-test) analyses were used (α = 0.05). The results indicated that DMD and DMDAS students had comparable clinical experiences in several disciplines, including diagnosis, prevention, direct/indirect restorations, endodontics, periodontics, complete dentures, removable partial dentures, implants/fixed partial dentures, and oral surgery. There was a statistical difference in total RVUs for diagnosis (p = 0.002) and direct restorations (p < 0.001), in which DMD students had more experience. The 28 month program for FTDs appeared to be a reasonable timeframe to obtain an adequate number of varied clinical experiences as compared with the traditional four-year program at the UIC-COD.

Decolonizing English Academic Writing education through translingual practices

This study investigated the predominance of English in the academic discourse and its potential to marginalize multilingual individuals and explored how translingual practices could be a means to decolonize English Academic Writing (EAW) education within the specific context of a Sino-U.S. joint-venture university. A case study centered on the academic experience of a multilingual student from China delved into the interplay between established EAW norms and the student's language practice, identity, and ideology. The findings revealed that EAW norms that prevail in global academic communication significantly affected the student's linguistic choices and self-perception. These findings also indicated that translingual practices could contribute to the decolonization of EAW education by advocating for inclusivity and diversity. Therefore, this study calls for a pedagogical reorientation that not only acknowledges but also incorporates translingual practices in EAW education to actively confront colonial legacies.

A collective action approach to improving attitudes and self-efficacy towards gender equality among male STEM academics

AbstractDespite the implementation of equality interventions within higher education, progress towards gender parity in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) remains slow. Male educators often exhibit poorer engagement with diversity initiatives, potentially contributing to persisting gender disparities in STEM given men’s longstanding dominance in these programs. Two experiments investigate how equality interventions should be designed to maximize support from male educators. Experiment 1 (N = 72; Mage = 39.72, SDage = 12.33) used virtual reality to manipulate 2 factors among male academics: (1) exposure to gender inequality and (2) virtually taking the perspective of a female scientist. Using self-report and behavioral measures, viewing an empirical presentation outlining the prevalence of gender issues in STEM yielded the greatest support for equality initiatives following successful perspective-taking. Experiment 2 (N = 120; Mage = 32.48, SDage = 10.36) varied two additional factors among male academics: (1) evidence-based methods to reduce gender biases in STEM (i.e., promoting self-efficacy) and (2) blaming male academics for gender inequalities. Promoting self-efficacy and blaming men for disparities led to greater confidence in male academics’ ability to address gender inequalities in their field. Notably, higher self-efficacy accounted for greater support for equality initiatives and internal motives to engage with diversity programs. Findings provide an empirical framework and high-tech training tools for promoting engagement with diversity initiatives among male educators, informing development of interventions within higher education to improve student and faculty experiences in STEM.