| Popis: |
This paper reports a four-year study to investigate and evaluate the effectiveness of a student-informed strategy that identifies need and supports first year transition in the Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (BMLS). Timetabled ‘introduction to Support Services’ Sessions’ and a personal Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis comprised an integrated approach to raise students’ self-awareness of need for support and the services available to meet this need. Data from 2013-2016 SWOT analyses revealed a range of factors affecting students’ learning for which support services were available, including psychological, medical, financial and English as second language (ESL) learning issues. The SWOT analysis provided a mechanism for personal and class feedback that reinforced information provided by support services’ partners. Student and staff feedback was overwhelmingly positive, recognising the value of this strategy in identifying and supporting students’ transition needs. |
