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Full-Text Articles in Education

"I Generally Say I Am A Mum First . . . But I'M Studying At Uni": The Narratives Of First-In-Family, Female Caregivers Transitioning Into An Australian University, Sarah Elizabeth O'Shea Oct 2016

"I Generally Say I Am A Mum First . . . But I'M Studying At Uni": The Narratives Of First-In-Family, Female Caregivers Transitioning Into An Australian University, Sarah Elizabeth O'Shea

Professor Sarah O' Shea

The university student experience is both evolving and diverse. Increasing numbers of older students are accessing universities worldwide, and also access for student equity groups is a key policy driver in countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, United States, and others. However, among this change and flux, how individuals manage their transition into this environment with reference to new and existing identities is worthy of further exploration. This article draws on 2 separate but complementary Australian research projects that explored the experiences of students who had all commenced university after a significant gap in learning. The participants that feature …


"I 'Feel' Like I Am At University Even Though I Am Online." Exploring How Students Narrate Their Engagement With Higher Education Institutions In An Online Learning Environment, Sarah Elizabeth O'Shea, Cathy Stone, Janine Delahunty Oct 2016

"I 'Feel' Like I Am At University Even Though I Am Online." Exploring How Students Narrate Their Engagement With Higher Education Institutions In An Online Learning Environment, Sarah Elizabeth O'Shea, Cathy Stone, Janine Delahunty

Professor Sarah O' Shea

This article outlines a collaborative study between higher education institutions in Australia, which qualitatively explored the online learning experience for undergraduate and postgraduate students. The project adopted a narrative inquiry approach and encouraged students to story their experiences of this virtual environment, providing a snapshot of how learning is experienced by those undertaking online studies. The study explores what impacted upon students' engagement in this environment and how different facets of their learning experience made a qualitative difference to how individuals enacted engagement. Drawing upon Sharon Pittaway's engagement framework, the article seeks to foreground student voice as the learners define …


'University Wasn't Spoken About At Home, It Was Just Assumed That We Would Start Working…': First-In-Family Students, Family Capital And Higher Education Participation, Sarah Elizabeth O'Shea Oct 2016

'University Wasn't Spoken About At Home, It Was Just Assumed That We Would Start Working…': First-In-Family Students, Family Capital And Higher Education Participation, Sarah Elizabeth O'Shea

Professor Sarah O' Shea

The increases in the number of students attending higher education, particularly those who are the first in their immediate family to attend university provided the impetus for the study outlined in this article. Whilst previous research has explored the qualitative experience of being a first in family student, very few studies have explicitly focussed on how attending university interacts and impacts upon the immediate family of the learner. Drawing upon in-depth semi-structured interviews, this article will detail the findings from a small-scale study conducted in an Australian university that explored the interaction of the family home place and students' enactment …


“It [University] Wasn’T Spoken About At Home, It Was Just Assumed That We Would Start Working…”. First In Family Students, Family Capital And Higher Education Participation, Sarah E. O' Shea Dr Dec 2014

“It [University] Wasn’T Spoken About At Home, It Was Just Assumed That We Would Start Working…”. First In Family Students, Family Capital And Higher Education Participation, Sarah E. O' Shea Dr

Professor Sarah O' Shea

No abstract provided.


Arriving, Surviving And Succeeding: First In Family Women And Their Experiences Of Transitioning Into The First Year Of University.1, Sarah O' Shea Dr Dec 2014

Arriving, Surviving And Succeeding: First In Family Women And Their Experiences Of Transitioning Into The First Year Of University.1, Sarah O' Shea Dr

Professor Sarah O' Shea

No abstract provided.


Transitions And Turning Points: Exploring How First-In-Family Female Students Story Their Transition To University And Student Identity Formation, Sarah E. O' Shea Dr Mar 2013

Transitions And Turning Points: Exploring How First-In-Family Female Students Story Their Transition To University And Student Identity Formation, Sarah E. O' Shea Dr

Professor Sarah O' Shea

The purpose of this article is to explore how one group of students reflect upon their transition into the higher education environment. This qualitative research project followed one group of female undergraduate students as they moved through the first year of study. All of the participants were the first in their fam- ily to consider further education and each participated in four semi-structured interviews over one year. Drawing on the conceptual lens of ‘turning points’, the intent is to provide a ‘close-up’ analysis of the complex process of identity formation within the university landscape. By revisiting the students at various …


Transitions And Turning Points: Exploring How First In Family Female Students Story Their Transition To University And Student Identity Formation, Sarah E. O' Shea Dr Jan 2013

Transitions And Turning Points: Exploring How First In Family Female Students Story Their Transition To University And Student Identity Formation, Sarah E. O' Shea Dr

Professor Sarah O' Shea

The purpose of this article is to explore how one group of students reflect upon their transition into the higher education environment. This qualitative research project followed one group of female undergraduate students as they moved through the first year of study. All of the participants were the first in their family to consider further education and each participated in four semi-structured interviews over one year. Drawing on the conceptual lens of ‘turning points’ the intent is to provide a ‘close-up’ analysis of the complex process of identity formation within the university landscape. By revisiting the students at various points …


From The Web To Writing: The Role Of Collaboration In Providing First Year University Students With The Skills To Succeed, Sarah E. O'Shea, Julie Mundy-Taylor Sep 2012

From The Web To Writing: The Role Of Collaboration In Providing First Year University Students With The Skills To Succeed, Sarah E. O'Shea, Julie Mundy-Taylor

Professor Sarah O' Shea

In contemporary university environments not only have student populations become more diverse, but also institutions have embraced technological advances to create new facets to the teaching and learning process. The challenges offered by virtual learning as well as the impact of email and e-learning remain largely under-researched both broadly and in relation to first year transition. First year students are now expected to not only acquire the implicit academic discourse in a timely fashion but also master the computing skills so central to contemporary university delivery. Skills central to effective and efficient academic research and writing are often perceived in …


Ustart: A Peer-Designed And Led Orientation Initiative, Sarah O'Shea Sep 2012

Ustart: A Peer-Designed And Led Orientation Initiative, Sarah O'Shea

Professor Sarah O' Shea

To reduce student isolation in the university (ACER, 2010; James, Krause, & Jennings, 2010) and increase student engagement with the campus, faculty, staff, and peers, the University of Wollongong (UOW) adopted a new one-day, orientation initiative. Modeled after the successful UniStart program developed at the University of Newcastle, Wollongong’s UStart@UOW program is wholly designed, developed, and facilitated by students and is based on the premise that enrolled students play a vital role in welcoming and immersing new students into the university culture. By grounding the content of the program firmly within current student experience, the emphasis is on the skills …


Stepping Into Higher Education From The Vocational Education Sector In Australia: Student Perceptions And Experiences, Sarah E. O' Shea Dr, Pauline Lysaght A/Prof, Kathleen Tanner Dr Jul 2012

Stepping Into Higher Education From The Vocational Education Sector In Australia: Student Perceptions And Experiences, Sarah E. O' Shea Dr, Pauline Lysaght A/Prof, Kathleen Tanner Dr

Professor Sarah O' Shea

It is not unusual to hear study in the vocational education sector referred to as a ‘stepping stone’ into further studies in the higher education environment. What this pathway entails for those who choose it is not immediately clear however. This article reports on research conducted with a small cohort of students who arrived at an Australian university with advanced standing or credit transfer based on their studies in the vocational sector. A narrative inquiry approach highlights the voices of these participants drawn through stories of their individual experiences of the transition to higher education. Recommendations related to structural and …


The Secret Of Excellence In Student Services - A Case Example Of Cross-Institution Collaboration And Cooperation, Cathy Stone, Annie Andrews, Melissa Moore, Allison Cahill, Sarah O'Shea, David Said May 2012

The Secret Of Excellence In Student Services - A Case Example Of Cross-Institution Collaboration And Cooperation, Cathy Stone, Annie Andrews, Melissa Moore, Allison Cahill, Sarah O'Shea, David Said

Professor Sarah O' Shea

No abstract provided.


Nomads In Diaspora Space: Exploring Women's Indentity Work In The University, Sarah O'Shea May 2012

Nomads In Diaspora Space: Exploring Women's Indentity Work In The University, Sarah O'Shea

Professor Sarah O' Shea

How individuals position themselves as ‘students’ within the university landscape can provide insight into the personal and actual experience of entering this environment. This article will explore how one group of female students narrated their identity work as they moved through the first year of study in an Australian university. These students were all first in the family to attend university and some had had a significant gap between educational experiences. In depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with individuals as they commenced university study and these were repeated at four points during the year; this series of conversations captured the …


Peer-Led Transition Strategies And The First Year Experience - Implementation, Implications And Insights, Sarah E. O'Shea, Pauline Lysaght May 2012

Peer-Led Transition Strategies And The First Year Experience - Implementation, Implications And Insights, Sarah E. O'Shea, Pauline Lysaght

Professor Sarah O' Shea

This presentation provides an overview of a peer-led transition strategy targeted at equity groups that the program chair has been involved in implementing at two separate universities. The difference between this and other programs is that this strategy is grounded within the actual experience of students, who design, develop and facilitate a program that provides authentic insight into the culture and environment of university life. Participants will hear how program was introduced, suggestions around initiation and feedback from program participants.


Ustart@Uow And Ustart2@Uow: A Comprehensive Approach To Supporting Commencing Students From Low Socio-Economic Backgrounds, Sarah O'Shea, Pauline Lysaght, Yvonne Kerr May 2012

Ustart@Uow And Ustart2@Uow: A Comprehensive Approach To Supporting Commencing Students From Low Socio-Economic Backgrounds, Sarah O'Shea, Pauline Lysaght, Yvonne Kerr

Professor Sarah O' Shea

Students from low socio-economic backgrounds as well as those who are the first in family to attend university often report feeling that they don’t ‘belong’ at university (James, Krause & Jennings, 2010; O’Shea, 2008). The isolation they sometimes experience may be exacerbated when families are unable to provide personal support through a basic lack of knowledge and understanding of university life. This nuts and bolts session explores two initiatives introduced at the University of Wollongong to support commencing students from low socio-economic backgrounds and to provide information for their families. The session will provide details about how this framework was …


Nomads And Migrants – Exploring How First In Family University Students Articulate Learner Identities Within The University Landscape., Sarah E. O' Shea Dr Dec 2011

Nomads And Migrants – Exploring How First In Family University Students Articulate Learner Identities Within The University Landscape., Sarah E. O' Shea Dr

Professor Sarah O' Shea

How individuals position themselves as ‘students’ within the university landscape can provide insight into the personal and actual experience of entering this environment. This article will explore how one group of female students narrated their identity work as they moved through the first year of study in an Australian university. These students were all first in the family to attend university and some had had a significant gap between educational experiences. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with individuals as they commenced university study and these were repeated at four points during the year. Conversations captured the particular nuances of identity …


Uni-Start: A Peer-Led Orientation Activity Designed For The Early And Timely Engagement Of Commencing University Students., Sarah E. O' Shea Dr Dec 2010

Uni-Start: A Peer-Led Orientation Activity Designed For The Early And Timely Engagement Of Commencing University Students., Sarah E. O' Shea Dr

Professor Sarah O' Shea

Universities have both social and cultural contexts and new students need to participate effectively in both in order to succeed in this environment. With ever increasing numbers of students and also, the diversity of the contemporary university population, institutions have to consider innovative ways to effectively engage individuals. In terms of supporting students, there is a need to be more proactive, initiating structures of support that reach out to students rather than an often implicit expectation that the learners themselves will take the initiative and seek out support individually. This article reflects upon one approach to supporting diverse student populations …