Proposal Title
The first year experience – challenges, successes and support for educators
Session Type
Workshop
Room
P&A 148
Start Date
6-7-2017 10:30 AM
Keywords
first year experience, academic tenacity, growth mindset, well-being
Primary Threads
Teaching and Learning Science
Abstract
There is growing interest and momentum from faculty to explore how they can better support first year students. Students’ first year experience (FYE) at university is crucial to the foundations of their academic studies, and key to student success, engagement, retention, and wellbeing. Athough many institutions offer transitional programs and support, there may be a lack of support and sharing among first year educators. Knowledge and sharing is the key to inform one’s teaching practice, thereby further benefiting both learners and educators. Using the model of the “First Year Experience (FYE) Science Education Symposium” (https://science.ubc.ca/faculty/fyx) at the University of British Columbia, this workshop will address the challenges and successes among first year educators. Highlighting themes of academic tenacity, growth mindset and innovative pedagogies, we will discuss ways of enhancing capacity among faculty that are focused on the first year student experience- both in formal and informal learning environments. In this interactive workshop, we will use breakout groups and large group discussions to identify and discuss these challenges and successes.
Elements of Engagement
After a short introduction and using the three themes of academic tenacity, growth mindset and innovative pedagogies, we will use break out groups to identify the challenges, propose solutions and provide examples of current practices. The group will then report back and have a larger group discussion. The session will end by encouraging educators to seek out resources and opportunities for communities of practice within their own institutions.
The first year experience – challenges, successes and support for educators
P&A 148
There is growing interest and momentum from faculty to explore how they can better support first year students. Students’ first year experience (FYE) at university is crucial to the foundations of their academic studies, and key to student success, engagement, retention, and wellbeing. Athough many institutions offer transitional programs and support, there may be a lack of support and sharing among first year educators. Knowledge and sharing is the key to inform one’s teaching practice, thereby further benefiting both learners and educators. Using the model of the “First Year Experience (FYE) Science Education Symposium” (https://science.ubc.ca/faculty/fyx) at the University of British Columbia, this workshop will address the challenges and successes among first year educators. Highlighting themes of academic tenacity, growth mindset and innovative pedagogies, we will discuss ways of enhancing capacity among faculty that are focused on the first year student experience- both in formal and informal learning environments. In this interactive workshop, we will use breakout groups and large group discussions to identify and discuss these challenges and successes.