Partnerships for success: A collaborative support model to enhance the first year student experience

• Main Authors: Johanna Einfalt, Janet Turley
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Queensland University of Technology 2013-04-01
• Series: International Journal of the First Year in Higher Education
• Subjects: Collaboration; assessment; student experience; support model; academic skills; research skills.
• Online Access: https://fyhejournal.com/article/view/153

<em>Recent discourse about engaging first year students calls for more collaboration in terms of adopting a holistic approach to course delivery and support. This paper discusses a collaborative support model operating at a regional Australian university since 2008. In particular, it describes a collaborative support initiative emerging from this model that is based on providing an informal consultative space where students can drop-in and gain assessment support for research, writing and content. A focus group, online surveys and interviews with co-ordinators were conducted to evaluate the impact of this initiative. Findings suggest that this collaborative support model impacts on the first year student experience by: raising awareness about academic skills and the processes for researching and writing; promoting peer learning opportunities; building confidence and providing suitable support for a diverse range of students.</em>