Tag: diversity

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Older undergraduate students bringing years of experience to university studies: Highlights, challenges and contributions

Author: Bronwyn J. Ellis, University of South Australia 

Edition: Volume 53, Number 3, November 2013

Summary: Undergraduate students enrolled through two regional locations were surveyed on their experience of being university students in later life. Students aged 55 and over were invited to complete an anonymous online questionnaire. This collected demographic information, and sought, through open-ended questions, information on their study motivations and university experience. Participants had the opportunity to describe the highlights and challenges of their study experience, including any needs for additional support and facilities. They were also asked to identify the contributions made possible by their greater life experience, and to comment on their relationship with academic and administrative staff and other students.

Most respondents (70%) aimed to use their new knowledge, skills, and targetted qualification in a vocational context; self actualisation goals also played a part for some. They reported generally relating well to others at university. Challenges arose from conflicting priorities and some technological issues. Their accumulated experiences helped them contribute significantly to class discussions as they understood the context for the theory they were learning.

Keywords: lifelong learning, older learners, motivation, higher education, equity, diversity

 

 

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This article is part of AJAL, Volume 53_3. The entire volume is available in .pdf for purchase here.

 

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Effectively teaching diverse student groups: a reflection on teaching and learning strategies

Author: Kathryn Trees, Murdoch University

Edition: Volume 53, Number 2, July 2013

Summary: This paper discusses facilitating student collegiality within diverse student groups. It argues that diverse student groups of international, domestic, mature age and Gen Y students often have similar difficulties and strengths although they may occur for quite different reason and understanding this is useful when deciding on teaching and learning strategies. It describes several teaching and learning strategies and explains the outcomes of using these with diverse student cohorts.

Keywords: diversity, effective communication, critical reflection, teaching strategies

 

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This article is part of AJAL, Volume 53_2. The entire volume is available in .pdf for purchase here.

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The big picture on men’s (and boys’) learning

Author/s: Barry Golding

Edition: Volume 50, Number 1, April 2010

Summary: This paper focuses on what is known internationally from research about some aspects of men’s learning. It explores the similar and different factors that shape men’s attitudes towards learning in diverse national and cultural contexts. It also identifies some possible parallels (and differences) between the experiences, participation and outcomes in education of men and boys. The paper proceeds to make a case for recognising and addressing the factors that affect gender parity in educational contexts, including Australia, in which several tertiary outcome measures tend to be skewed towards girls and women. The paper forms part of background research for Phase 1 (in several Anglophone nations) of a major international research project into men’s learning in community settings that includes several Australian study sites.

Keywords: men’s learning, diversity, cultural contexts, gender parity, education, tertiary outcome

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This article is part of AJAL, Volume 50_1. The entire volume is available in .pdf for purchase here.