The University of Sheffield has considered strategically the induction process undertaken by departments during Intro Week in order to facilitate the transition to university for new students. The approaches from three departments Human Communication Sciences, Automatic Control and Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering will be showcased in the symposium. Two main aims were: (i) welcome students into the department and discipline, (ii) begin the education of students into a new way of learning, specifically independent learning. Topics included: How was intro week organised to meet the aims? Which aspects of good practise might be usefully summarised for other departments?

1. Intro Week Induction and Inquiry-based Learning: Varying Approaches L Gray, A Rossiter, J Rowson, M Freeman, M Morley UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD

3. Framework for learning Entwistle et al. (2002)

4. The First Year Experience Lost, lonely, confused Don’t know what to expect of university life Unsure of standards expected Don’t understand lectures, language, terminology Want to learn and develop new skills but don’t know how… Financial realities: student loans, part time work Transition difficulties From families with no previous HE experience Independence and responsibility can be frightening Expect more support and guidance Information overload http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/events/media/Helena_Lim_Presentation.ppt#259,3,Research Findings

6. Organisational cogs for first year engagement (Duff, A. et al., 2007*) * Cited by Johnson, H et al. (2007) Cutting the cloth to fit new needs and communication preferences. Journal of Academic Language and Learning,