How diverse are our students and what should we do about it?Susanne VoelkelSchool of Biological Sciences

“The University is committed to providing an environment which recognises and values people's differences, capitalises on the strengths that those differences bring to the institution and support all staff and students in maximising their potential to succeed.”

What is student diversity?Does it matter?What can we do?

“Official groups”Programme studiedGenderAgeEthnicityDisability (special educational needs)UK/ European/ OverseasEntry level qualifications

Less obvious groupsSocio-economic backgroundFamily situationTemporary illness (including mental problems)

Individual differencesCognitive abilityMotivationLearning style/ approachStudy behaviourPersonalityBeliefs

Prior experienceExpectationsGoals

Some courses are more homogenous than others

Medicine High entry levels Vocational

High entry levels

Vocational

Biological Sciences Various entry levels Mix of programmes Variety of future careers

Various entry levels

Mix of programmes

Variety of future careers

How some of the factors affect university performance

GenderFirst degrees in the UK*Higher Education Statistics Agency 2007/2008

Study behaviour: application

Attendance and performance**Newman -Ford et al (2008) University of Glamorgan. 748 students, 22 modules.

Learning stylePersonalityMotivationApplicationGender

Animal PhysiologyBasic course statistics (2007/2008)Year 2About 100 studentsFrom different programmesZoology 30 %Physiology 20 %Biological and medical science 20 %Others (e.g. Marine biology, Biological Sciences etc)35 % male, 65 % female

Total class exam results

Exam results for different programmes

Gender differences in exam results

A level result in Biology

What should / can be done.... to support all students in maximising their potential to succeed?

Some things ARE being doneSENDA – supportPersonal tutorsCounselling, adviceMitigating circumstances

Can we do more toMotivate and engage studentsHelp students to develop good study skillsEncourage attendance?

Supporting the individual learnerTransition from school to universityFreshers’ weekStudy skillsAttendanceRegisterIntervention

Student attendances diminish over timeUniv. Of Birmingham (2003/4)**Colby (2004)

Attendance Animal Physiology (2008/9)Email to students whomissed 2 or moreAttendance(%)Date

Supporting the individual learnerTransition from school to universityFreshers’ weekStudy skillsAttendanceRegisterInterventionEngagement and motivationStudy groupsIndependent work, self assessment, feedbackE-learning

Example: Campbell and Reece: Biology 8th ed. Copyright © 2009 Pearson. All rights reserved. Benjamin Cummings is an imprint of Pearson. TutorialsAssignmentsSelf assessmentOnline resources

Tutorials

Assignments

Self assessment

Online resources

Which kingdom within the domain Eukarya is composed of organisms that are generally unicellular (single-celled)? (Concepts 1.2)hint<<previousnext>>PlantaeAnimaliaArchaeaFungiProtistaQuestion 1 of 5After you answer each question, click “Check Answer” for feedback.Check answer

Plantae

Animalia

Archaea

Fungi

Protista

Which kingdom within the domain Eukarya is composed of organisms that are generally unicellular (single-celled)? (Concepts 1.2)hint<<previousnext>>PlantaeAnimaliaArchaeaFungiProtista Question 1 of 5Consider the cellular characteristics of each of the eukaryotic kingdoms. (Concept 1.2)After you answer each question, click “Check Answer” for feedback.Check answer

Plantae

Animalia

Archaea

Fungi

Protista

Which kingdom within the domain Eukarya is composed of organisms that are generally unicellular (single-celled)? (Concepts 1.2)hint<<previousnext>>PlantaeAnimaliaArchaeaFungiProtistaXQuestion 1 of 5No. Plants are multicellular organisms.After you answer each question, click “Check Answer” for feedback.Check answer

Plantae

Animalia

Archaea

Fungi

Protista

Which kingdom within the domain Eukarya is composed of organisms that are generally unicellular (single-celled)? (Concepts 1.2)hint<<previousnext>>PlantaeAnimaliaArchaeaFungiProtistaQuestion 1 of 5Correct. The eukaryotic protists are usually single-celled organisms.XAfter you answer each question, click “Check Answer” for feedback.Check answer

Plantae

Animalia

Archaea

Fungi

Protista