Every Learner Counts: can technology help improve student motivation and retention?
| Abstract |
The need for improving retention is identified in the National Audit Office report on Student Retention (Feb 2008). The funding councils already provide additional funding to support institutions in meeting retention and widening participation targets. JISC projects have shown that technology has an important role in providing the administrative processes and support facilities that make learners feel better supported when starting a course in higher education. Several projects have demonstrated that the costs of small investments in technical infrastructure and processes can be covered by reducing student loss by just a few learners. This session will explore several examples of universities using technology to support students and, in doing so, helping to improve retention. We will hear feedback from the learners and discuss the potential of these approaches to make greater impact across the sector. |
| Aims and objectives |
- Discuss/raise awareness of the use of a range of technologies and processes that support students and in doing so help to improve retention
- Explore issues of student retention and opportunities that technology offers to address them
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| Who should attend? |
- People who are involved in student support
- Learning technologists supporting institution-wide initiatives
- Academics working as admissions tutors or concerned about student retention
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| Approxiate session capacity |
30 - 50 |
| Speakers |
- Dr Nicola Whitton, Manchester Metropolitan University, Research Fellow
- Hesan Yousif, University of Sussex
- Lucy Stone, Leicester College
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