| Popis: |
Students’ first year experience (FYE) at university is crucial for building a strong foundation for successful academic performance and retention, well-being, and engagement (e.g., Tinto, 2009). The purpose of this panel is two-fold: to examine the practices that first-year students can employ to ease the transition to university or college, and to share techniques/approaches that educators and advisors can use to facilitate that transition by supporting student learning, wellness, and other components of the first year experience. The panel will focus on best practices (from current research and our own experiences) and highlight the potential to share and learn from other educators. Panel members and participants will consider priorities for the first year classroom/experience and strategies for addressing these priorities. The panel comprises faculty from a diversity of universities and locations with varied student demographics. All members have extensive experience teaching and advising first year students. Although the panel members are all biologists, many aspects of the first year experience (and related challenges) will be similar in other science programs. This interactive panel discussion will identify issues and techniques that are relevant across institutions, with a focus on practical, evidence-based strategies that could be applied in participants’ courses/departments. Ideally, this panel will also serve as a catalyst for creating a connection among first year educators using a community of practice model. |
