A presentation from the STEM Annual Conference 2014.
The Faculty of Science Engineering and Computing (SEC) at Kingston University runs a Study Skills Centre that supports students in developing their academic skills. The Centre has reported an increasing number of students who present with low levels of IT literacy levels significantly lower than those expected by academics. In view of the above this project aims to elicit information on the level of IT proficiency of first year students of the SEC faculty and how this relates to academic expectations. A key objective of the project is to determine whether there is any relationship between students’ IT skills and entry-level qualifications. The project will help the faculty review not only the provision of its skills centre and tailored support but also facilitate a greater understanding of diverse transition needs and to strategically inform learning teaching and assessment approaches. This will in turn better equip students to meet their academic needs. This piece of research is supported by a University wide scheme running until March 2014 where both staff and students work as equal partners on the project. The student partners are active data collectors and survey designers with support from the academics. Using students in work to directly review and improve the student experience has clear benefits to the collegiate nature of the Faculty and fosters strong learning environments.
The presentation will cover the outcomes of the work and will also include the student researcher reflection of their experience of working collaboratively with staff on a student facing project.
