Retention: an holistic approachRetention: an holistic approach

BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies

University of Derby

BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies

University of Derby

“..to be the learner’s first choice university for quality & opportunity”

Model of Student JourneyModel of Student Journey

Retention figuresRetention figures

University of DerbyBA(Hons) Early Childhood Studies; student retention

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Academic Year

% of studentsCompleted YearRetained Post Enrolment

Completed Year 94.7 91.4 95.7

Retained PostEnrolment

89 87.6 87.9

2006/07 2007/08 2008/09

University of DerbyBA(Hons) Early Childhood Studies; student retention

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Academic Year

% of studentsCompleted YearRetained Post Enrolment

Completed Year 94.7 91.4 95.7

Retained PostEnrolment

89 87.6 87.9

2006/07 2007/08 2008/09

Open days, induction & socialisation

Open days, induction & socialisation

Programme strategiesProgramme strategies

Attendance monitoring

Themes & Threads

Stage Tutors & Personal Tutors

Pastoral support (SLO, PAS, Counselling, ECFs)

Attendance monitoring

Themes & Threads

Stage Tutors & Personal Tutors

Pastoral support (SLO, PAS, Counselling, ECFs)

Curriculum: Common threadsCurriculum: Common threads

PRACTICE ACADEMIC

Emerging Children’s Holistic Development

Developing Relational Pedagogy

Critically Reflective Contesting Childhood

•VLE

•Student Email links integrated into University

systems

•Open door policy

•Students know tutors are approachable

•Collective warmth & responsibility 

COMMUNICATIONCOMMUNICATION

•Ongoing professional development

•Can see the relevance of theory

•Exploration of theory is mutually affirming 

Work placementWork placement

•Belief in smaller teaching groups

•Modular approach

•Classroom based, not lecture theatre

•Student involvement and shared learning

experiences

•Variety of delivery styles

Teaching and learningTeaching and learning

•Student centred, within institution expectations

•Designated tutor maintains Stage overview

•Attendance monitoring & follow up

•VLE usage monitoring 

MonitoringMonitoring

•Enthusiastic

•Multidisciplinary

•Teaching background

•Student Centred

•Open door policy

•Intra-team communication  

Teaching teamTeaching team

•Skill based

•Threads of progression through 3 stages

•Variety of methods cover different learning

styles

•Clear assessment guidelines

•Formative assessment

•1 to 1 and group tutorial support in all modules 

AssessmentAssessment

BibliographyBibliography Brown R (2009) Information Overload Times Higher Education Issue No 1.926 10 – 16

Dec Green, M. Weaver, M. Voegeli, D. Fitzsimmons, D. Knowles, J. Harrison, M. &

Shephard, K. (2006) The development and evaluation of the use of a virtual learning environment (Blackboard 5) to support the learning of pre-qualifying nursing students undertakinga human anatomy and physiology module. Nurse Education Today (2006) 26, 388-395

Bullock K & Wikeley F (2004) Whose learning? Berkshire Open University Press Heaton-Shrestha, C. Edirisingha, P. Burke, L. & Linsey, T. (2005) Introducing a VLE

into campus based undergraduate teaching: Staff perspectives on its impact on teaching. International Journal of Educational Research 43 370-386

Longden B (2006) An Institutional Response to Changing Student Expectations & Their Impact on Retention Rates Routledge Journal of Higher Education Policy & Management Vol 28 July 06

Race P (2005) Making Learning Happen. A Guide for Post-Compulsory Education London Sage Rogers J (2007) Adults Learning Maidenhead Open University Press Trotter E & Roberts C.A (2006) Enhancing the early student experience Routledge

Journal of Higher Education Research & Development Vol 25 Nov 06 Yorke M ( 2003) Enhancing Retention & Student Success Accessed Higher Education Academy www.ukcle.ac.uk 18/11/06

Brown R (2009) Information Overload Times Higher Education Issue No 1.926 10 – 16 Dec

Green, M. Weaver, M. Voegeli, D. Fitzsimmons, D. Knowles, J. Harrison, M. & Shephard, K. (2006) The development and evaluation of the use of a virtual learning environment (Blackboard 5) to support the learning of pre-qualifying nursing students undertakinga human anatomy and physiology module. Nurse Education Today (2006) 26, 388-395

Bullock K & Wikeley F (2004) Whose learning? Berkshire Open University Press Heaton-Shrestha, C. Edirisingha, P. Burke, L. & Linsey, T. (2005) Introducing a VLE

into campus based undergraduate teaching: Staff perspectives on its impact on teaching. International Journal of Educational Research 43 370-386

Longden B (2006) An Institutional Response to Changing Student Expectations & Their Impact on Retention Rates Routledge Journal of Higher Education Policy & Management Vol 28 July 06

Race P (2005) Making Learning Happen. A Guide for Post-Compulsory Education London Sage Rogers J (2007) Adults Learning Maidenhead Open University Press Trotter E & Roberts C.A (2006) Enhancing the early student experience Routledge

Journal of Higher Education Research & Development Vol 25 Nov 06 Yorke M ( 2003) Enhancing Retention & Student Success Accessed Higher Education Academy www.ukcle.ac.uk 18/11/06