Induction and Transition
Effective induction and transition are essential to allow students to
settle in, get going and stay the course. Old-fashioned approaches where
induction tends to be organised centrally - and involves wheeling out
the great and the good - have outlived their effectiveness. We must thus
note that a good induction process can improve first year retention by
up ten percentage points. We offer services to review and develop
induction (and transition) at three levels - programme, department and
institution. Our work here draws on research evidence from several
relevant contexts:
• The contribution of pre-entry interventions
to developing engagement and commitment
• Effective approaches to
induction and transition drawing on the What works? Student retention
and success programme
• Promoting social engagement through the
academic programme
• Working in partnership with professional service
staff
• Specific induction activities that have been developed
elsewhere
Relevant publications
Thomas, L. (2012) ‘What works? Facilitating an effective transition
into higher education’, Widening Participation and Lifelong Learning,
14, Special Issue, pp.4-24
Jones, R. and Thomas, L (2012)
Promoting social engagement. Improving STEM student transition,
retention and success in higher education. Birmingham: National HE
STEM programme
Thomas, L. (2012) Building student engagement
and belonging at a time of change in higher education. London: Paul
Hamlyn Foundation
Thomas, L. et al (2009) Review of Widening
Participation Strategic Assessments. Ormskirk: Action on Access.
Relevant activities
Liz is directing the What works? Student retention and success change programme on behalf of the Higher Education Academy and Action on Access, funded by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation. This explores three areas, including induction. Fifteen academic programmes within nine universities are implementing changes which will be evaluated both quantitatively and qualitatively.
In 2012 Liz was invited to the First Year in Higher Education conference at the Queensland University of Technology, Australia. She gave a key note address on transition, a masterclass on the link between pre-entry interventions and retention and success, plus a workshop on staff engagement.