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.

1. Improving transition into
university life through real and
virtual groups
Shazia Ahmed
Sarah Honeychurch
Lorna Love
1 May 2014

2. Issues
Diversity of students
Range of backgrounds
3 subjects – lack of community
Commuting students ~40%

3. Using existing model
Successful Facebook groups for Maths and Comp Sci
Extend model to pre-entry support for all Schools in
College of Science & Engineering

4. Facebook Groups
Over half of 2013-14 cohort joined main group before
arriving
Links to subject-specific groups

5. Advantages
Conversations with each other
Conversations with more experienced members
Questions relating to:
• Course
• Glasgow generally

6. Advantages
Conversations with staff
• Reassurance
• Pre-entry resources (Maths)

7. Film afternoon

8. Knitting Group

9. A big success

10. Thank you
Shazia Ahmed
https://twitter.com/ShaziaAhmed
Sarah Honeychurch
https://twitter.com/nomadwarmachine
Social Media and Learning Communities
https://www.facebook.com/groups/12544718765832/