Health Sciences & Medicine

Pre-arrivals Web ProjectEnhancing the student experience

Pauline MorganJane Davies

The aim of the project

The creation of the pre-arrival site has been initiated in response to the suggestions from students that they would have liked more information about their programme of study before arrival.

Initiated by Rosalind Jowett (Associate Dean, Health Sciences)

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Background and rationale• Work undertaken by on behalf of the HEA has indicated that a gradual and

staged induction that separates out the following areas, can help to improve student retention and ease transition to HE:

• Course material

• Learning support services

• General information about the university and the surrounding city

• Adaptation to university life

• Becoming an autonomous learner, knowledge of course and assessment requirements

Based on Harvey, L., Drew, S. with Smith, M. (in print). The first year experience: a literature review for the Higher Education Academy. York. HE Academy.

Our Project Team

• Jane Davies (Project Co-ordinator)

• Pauline Morgan (Health Sciences)

• Marcus Parry (Medicine)

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The process

• Pilot project

• Initial project planning (defining timescales and content)

• Platform - Sitepublisher

• Structure based on student survey feedback

• Faculty involvement – Meeting key people

• Research of new material and the importance of buy-in at all levels

• Filming/student input

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What our students wantedWe asked our students what they would have like to have known before they came here. They said…

– Improving study skills

– Hints and tips

– Previous student experiences/advice

– More programme information/reading lists/example timetables

– Where to go in case of difficulty

– What to bring

– Contact with other students beforehand

– Advice on finance/budgeting

– Information on activities and the area

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What their concerns wereWe asked our students what they worried about. They said…

– Not knowing if they had chosen the right course

– Worried about being suited to University

– Not being able to cope with coursework

– Not knowing if they have appropriate study skills

– Being able to meet academic standards

– Not having enough money

– Concerns about making friends

– Living away from home

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The Pre-arrival web pages

• Faculty specific information

• Original material not available on the Faculty website

• Reassures the student, makes them feel part of the University

• Keep them warm - decreasing student drop-out or possibly converts…

• Encourages prospective students to apply

• Links to where they can get more information

• Provide information that the students want to know

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And…

• Provide information that staff want the students to have

• Make life easier for Admin teams – fewer phone calls (another plus!)

• Give new students an all-round picture of related information

• Taste of the experience that they can expect

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The Structure

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• Before you arrive

What they must do!

• When you arrive

Useful info for use when they get here

• Studying

Tools , tips, advice and resources to get ahead

• Programme pages

More detailed & practical programme information

So what does it look like?

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http://uos-web00114-si.soton.ac.uk:1776/prearrivalhealthsciences/studying/undergraduate_programmes/index.page

Lessons learnt

• Start early – it takes a long time to gather original content

• Senior management leadership is essential

• Academics are always busy –there is never a good time! (set deadlines)

• Buy in and potential benefits

• One-to-one meetings and templates

• Incentivise students to get them involved – they are a bit shy

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Where next

• Health Science site due to go live mid July

• Medicine site due to go live mid August

• Student evaluation period

• Links to be sent to new students for this summer

• Links from proposed new Southampton Welcome pages

• Other Faculties…

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Any questions?

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