Retention at Trinity College Deirdre Flynn Derek Richards
- Slides: 11
Retention at Trinity College Deirdre Flynn & Derek Richards, Student Counselling Service 1
Is Retention a Problem? What do we know? n What can be done by academic staff? n Strategic initiatives (T. I. ) in college and externally n The Retention Network n Student Counselling Service 2
What is known n Morgan 2001 A study of non-completion in undergraduate University courses: n Non-completion rates TCD 1985 15. 7% 15. 4% male 16. 0% female 1992 16. 2% 13. 8% male 19. 0% female n The average non-completion rate across Irish Universities is 16. 8% Student Counselling Service 3
What is Known n Completion rates at Trinity College for students who began their studies in 1992: n Engineering Graduating on time Graduating late Not completing course 68% 16% n Computer Science Graduating on time Graduating late Not completing course 38% 29% 33% Student Counselling Service 4
What is known n n Course choice and commitment (Baird, 2002, Mathews & Mulkeen, 2002) Students ability to integrate socially and academically (Tinto, 1987, 1993) Unpreparedness for course of choice Conflicts between demands of work and study / academic underperformance Multiple factors – personal, financial and social Student Counselling Service 5
Retention / Withdrawal n Avoidable and advisable withdrawal n n n 2/3 happy with their decision to leave 90% planned to return or had returned to education 41% left without talking with anyone Second level career guidance consultation (13% only) (Baird, 2002) 51% of Junior Freshman had considered leaving college (Harrington et al, 2001) Student Counselling Service 6
Interventions n n n Interventions by lecturers (weeks 4 -8, prior to summer exams, post exam results) Connect with students – building relationships, departmental receptions Integrate general skills (study, stress, Interpersonal) into your teaching / core curriculum – GENSIP Provide early and frequent feedback re performance Linking and referring to other service providers Student Counselling Service 7
Interventions n n n Peer tutoring programmes Target students at intake Transition year students Course prospectus Exit interview and SAS Other interventions Student Counselling Service 8
College Retention Projects n n n n Junior Freshman Project Peer Support Access Learning Support Project Peer Tutoring in the Language Departments Peer Tutoring in Computer Science Mathematics support Project Student Counselling Service 9
Other Retention Projects n n Tackling the problem of students early learning difficulties with computer programming DCU - Nora Brophy and Elaine Breslin Information and Communication technology learning centre UL – Michael English Analysis of specific interventions for 1 st year students in the areas of information technology, computer science and mathematics – Gearodin Ui Nia et al. Exploring maths underpreparedness at third level – Olivia Gill et al, University of Limerick Student Counselling Service 10
Retention Network (CHUI) n Objectives – n n n Improve all students chances of achieving their maximum potential Foster a coordinated approach between Student Services and Academic Staff Advocate an open systems approach Student Counselling Service 11
