Supporting students with online tuition from Access to

Supporting students with online tuition from Access to Level 1 Carlton Wood, Lynda Cook, Anactoria Clarke,

INTRODUCTION Online tuition at the Open University • Evidence that students do not make the most of online tuition provision in STEM • Access builds students’ confidence in all areas of studentship skills prior to undergraduate study • Access offers a unique 1 -2 -1 relationship between the tutor and the student via telephone tutorials • Access offers an opportunity to build students’ confidence with the technology • Access provides an opportunity for students to engage with and experience the values of online tuition 2

METHOD Access students and tutors • Contact tutors (J and B) on Y 033 to ascertain previous experience of online tuition with their access students • Request volunteers from Y 033 tutors to offer a group student online tutorial for their final TMA (TMA has a 30% threshold) • Design and supply Y 033 volunteer tutors with a presentation for the TMA Adobe Connect tutorial • We will assess from Y 033 tutors (via a proforma) which of their students have engaged with Adobe Connect on; • 1 -2 -1 or • Group basis • Other areas of the University e. g. Library • Assess students’ experience of using Adobe Connect during their Y 033 studies • Confidence of using the medium • Value of participation – learning experience (with peers and individually) • Qualitative surveys- students and tutors • Interviews-students and tutors 3

RESULTS Access students and tutors • Track students who have: • Participated in 1 -2 -1 Adobe Connect sessions with their tutor • Participated in group Adobe Connect sessions with their tutor and peers • Participated in a University online session • Not participated in any online tuition • Onto level 1 STEM modules (U 116, SDK 100, S 111). 4