http://dspace1.isd.glam.ac.uk:80/dspace/handle/10265/251 2013-05-24T14:10:36Z 2013-05-24T14:10:36Z Saunders, Danny http://dspace1.isd.glam.ac.uk:80/dspace/handle/10265/315 2012-02-24T14:10:10Z 2008-07-31T23:00:00Z

Title: The Learning Coaches of Wales - executive summary document Authors: Saunders, Danny Abstract: Learning Coaches work with young people in schools, colleges, workplaces, careers centres and youth clubs. The coaches have diverse backgrounds including teaching, careers guidance, classroom support, and company training. Two key interests underpin their work: (i) helping 14-19 year olds develop appropriate study skills and (ii) facilitating choice between options made available by the Learning Networks in Wales. This is a summary of a more detailed research investigation1 involving the first cohort of Learning Coaches in Wales; it begins with the design and delivery of a national training programme and ends with a set of recommendations based on evidence drawn from surveys and case studies of coaches and their learners.; This document presents detailed research investigation involving the first cohort of the Learning Coaches in Wales. Learning Coaches work with young people in schools, colleges, workplaces, careers centres and youth clubs. The coaches have diverse backgrounds including teaching, careers guidance, classroom support, and company training. Two key interests underpin their work: helping 14-19 year olds develop appropriate study skills and; facilitating choice between options made available by the Learning Networks in Wales. Description: This summary document presents detailed research investigation involving the first cohort of the Learning Coaches in Wales.

2008-07-31T23:00:00Z Newman-Ford, Loretta Lloyd, Steve Thomas, Stephen http://dspace1.isd.glam.ac.uk:80/dspace/handle/10265/303 2012-03-02T11:29:41Z 2009-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: An investigation into the effects of gender, prior academic achievement, place of residence, age and attendance on first year undergraduate attainment Authors: Newman-Ford, Loretta; Lloyd, Steve; Thomas, Stephen Abstract: The number of people engaging in higher education (HE) has increased considerably over the past decade. However, there is a need to achieve a balance between increasing access and bearing down on rates of non-completion. It has been argued that poor attainment and failure within the first year are significant contributors to the overall statistics for non-progression and that, although research has concentrated on factors causative of student withdrawal, less attention has focused on students who fail academically. This study investigated the effects of a number of a number of factors on the academic attainment of first-year undergraduates within the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Glamorgan. Results showed that gender and age had only minor impacts upon educational achievement, while place of residence, prior educational attainment and attendance emerged as significant predictors of attainment. Further analysis showed these three factors to be interrelated , with attendance correlating strongly with both entry points and place or residence. In turn, prior attainment was strongly linked to place of residence. Findings may be used to identify and proactively target students at risk of poor academic performance and dropout in order in order to improve rates of performance and progression.

2009-01-01T00:00:00Z Skinner, Heather Croft, Robin http://dspace1.isd.glam.ac.uk:80/dspace/handle/10265/302 2012-02-24T10:00:05Z 2009-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Neuro-linguistic programming techniques to improve the self-efficacy of undergraduate dissertation students Authors: Skinner, Heather; Croft, Robin Abstract: This paper aims to address the gap in the extant literature examining the support offered to, and required by, students in light of the changing nature of the undergraduate dissertation and the changing nature of the student undertaking it. For many, it will be the first time they will have undertaken a self-directed, major research project. The focus of this paper is to present the neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) framework for setting well-formed outcomes that was offered to students in the initial session of a pilot dissertation workshop support programme, initially targeting students completing dissertation projects on marketing topics within the Business School. Unlike modules on Research Methods the focus of this programme was not on methodology, but on soft skills such as goal setting, time management and motivation, along with practical skills such as those required to take advantage of developments in data processing technology. The paper also presents the findings of qualitative data gathered from responses of students in focus groups and in-depth interviews designed to explore students’ on-going motivation throughout the dissertation process. The paper concludes with a comparison of the results of those students who took part in the workshop sessions with those that did not.

2009-01-01T00:00:00Z Hall, Melanie Bassot, Barbara http://dspace1.isd.glam.ac.uk:80/dspace/handle/10265/299 2012-02-24T11:28:14Z 2009-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Becoming eco-responsible, active citizens through participation in the Eco Ambassadors project - a reflective analysis Authors: Hall, Melanie; Bassot, Barbara Abstract: This article offers a reflective analysis of the Eco Ambassadors Project as an example of the some of the ways in which learning about environmental issues and active citizenship can be encouraged and enabled through collaboration and negotiated participation. Some policy background to the project is given, followed by a critical consideration of the theoretical framework of situated learning and participation in a community of practice in relation to the project alongside theories of citizenship. Three activities undertaken during the project are highlighted and these are critically examined in relation to the theories under consideration. The paper argues that the theoretical framework of learning by participation can usefully augment and help better explain how learners develop their identities as citizens, and that through participation people can become active members of communities that are environmentally and politically aware.

2009-01-01T00:00:00Z