Professional services

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Publications produced by staff from the Northern Territory Clinical School, Flinders University.

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Browsing Professional services by Author "Brinkworth, Russell"

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    "Don't ask me what I think of you I might not give the answer that you want me to": An exploration of 1st year university students' expectations and experiences from the students' and the teachers' perspectives.
    (International Journal of the First Year in Higher Education, 2010) Luzeckyj, Ann; Burke Da Silva, Karen Loreen; Scutter, Sheila; Palmer, Edward; Brinkworth, Russell
    Students are likely to approach their first days at University with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. They may be enthusiastic about their independence and learning new skills and knowledge, but may also be nervous about the many unknowns facing them. These feelings and expectations may have greater ramifications than immediate student happiness and comfort and may impact on student retention and motivation. It is therefore important that potential sources of dissatisfaction are known so where possible they can be addressed, resulting in better matches between experience and expectations and improved outcomes for all. This session will introduce a research project that explores the mismatch between experience and expectations of commencing students across the three universities in South Australia. It will provide an opportunity for participants to learn about the research, discuss its potential value and consider any possible risks associated with research which compares expectations with experience.
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    The significance of being first: A consideration of cultural capital in relation to “first in family” student’s choices of university and program. A Practice Report
    (International Journal of the First Year in Higher Education, 2011-07) Luzeckyj, Ann; Scutter, Sheila; King, Sharron; Brinkworth, Russell
    This presentation explored the differences between expectations of first in family students and students who have immediate family members (parents, care givers, or siblings) who have attended university before them. The authors draw on Bourdieu’s notion of cultural capital to examine how being first in family influences student expectations. Data from a large survey of over 3,000 first year students conducted in 2010 across the three South Australian universities is used to explore the demographic make-up of first in family students, and the choices they make as to what type of university and program they enroll in. Based on qualitative and quantitative data, the authors compare choices of first in family students with those made by non-first in family students. Determining these differences provides opportunities for staff at universities to consider how they may better support students who have the ability, drive and determination to succeed at university but lack the cultural capital and may therefore be thwarted by unforeseen hurdles.
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    What do commencing undergraduate students expect from first year university?
    (International Journal of the First Year in Higher Education, 2011) Scutter, Sheila; Palmer, Edward; Luzeckyj, Ann; Burke Da Silva, Karen Loreen; Brinkworth, Russell
    The expectations of students entering their first year of undergraduate study in South Australia were investigated. Responses from 3,091 students allowed a comprehensive understanding of students’ expectations. Most respondents (70%) were entering university directly from secondary school and most (78%) were studying in their program of first choice. The major factor in program choice was interest in the topic, followed by career prospects. The need to understand the expectations of students commencing university is becoming even more important with many universities aiming to increase participation from previously under-represented groups. Only 30% of students had realistic expectations about the amount of study required to succeed at university. Most students felt that feedback on submitted work, and on drafts of work, would be important for their learning. Having easy and convenient access to teaching staff outside of face-to-face teaching was seen as an important factor in success. Ninety-one percent of students felt that having friends studying at the same university would provide support, but 25% did not know anyone studying at the same university.
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    Widening participation: does cultural capital really make a difference for first year students?
    (HERDSA, 2011-07) King, Sharron; Luzeckyj, Ann; Scutter, Sheila; Brinkworth, Russell
    Government policy to widen participation at university is aimed at producing significant changes in the student demographic. This will likely increase the number of students from non-traditional backgrounds such as those with low socio-economic status and those from rural or isolated areas. Many of these commencing students will also be the first member of their immediate family to attend university. By drawing on Bourdieu’s (1991) notion of cultural capital the convenors will lead a discussion of how prior knowledge and experience of tertiary education can impact upon student’s understandings and expectations of university study. In particular, the discussion will examine the debate in the literature as to whether first in family students are significantly disadvantaged and compare these outcomes with findings from a large multi institutional ALTC project examining the expectations and experiences of over 3000 first year students.