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STEPS, LEAPS and bounds: Is there a recipe for success?

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posted on 2023-06-14, 03:19 authored by Karen SearyKaren Seary, Alice Smith, Gabriela TothGabriela Toth, Margaret FlandersMargaret Flanders
The development of a student identity as it relates to the transition of commencing students to higher education has long been identified in the literature as essential to success. As importantly, the existence of a sense of belonging has been considered key to transition and success and the formation of a student identity. Less prominent in the literature, the newly articulated notion of mattering has evolved from and is currently challenging the concept of student belonging. Mattering offers a broader understanding of what it means to have students in transition believe they are important, that they matter to the institution of study. The notion of mattering resonates strongly with the authors as transition educators. This paper draws on the work of Lizzio (2006) and MacFarlane (2018) to consider the essential ingredients any preparatory course should include to successfully transition underrepresented groups of students to study at the award level. A comparison of the STEPS course in the Australian context to LEAPS in the Scottish context provided avenue to propose a five-tenet framework as a possible recipe for success to best support the transition of an increasingly diverse group of students aspiring to university study. The paper explores the ways in which the courses effectively assist preparatory students develop a foundational student identity which is crucial to successful study in higher education, particularly in the initial stages of engagement. In doing so, it positions the philosophical underpinnings and the pedagogical practices currently adopted by both the STEPS and LEAPS courses as successfully embracing the tenets proposed within the framework.

History

Volume

20

Issue

4

Start Page

1

End Page

28

Number of Pages

28

eISSN

1449-9789

ISSN

1449-9789

Publisher

Office of the Academic Executive Director, University of Tasmania

Additional Rights

This journal provides open access to its content

Peer Reviewed

  • Yes

Open Access

  • Yes

External Author Affiliations

University of Edinburgh, UK

Era Eligible

  • Yes

Journal

Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice