Analysis of Barriers to Engagement Among University Students
This research delves into the barriers faced by university students in engaging with clubs, societies, and activities, particularly focusing on the scheduling of Wednesday afternoons. The data highlights students' preferences and challenges, shedding light on the need for flexible timetabling and supportive faculty to enhance student engagement.
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Barriers to engagement Philippa Williams VP Sport & Deputy President Alex Doyle VP Activities 1
Wednesday Afternoons Purpose of the research was to investigate: Do students have formal study timetabled on a Wednesday Afternoon Why? To improve the student experience To create a level playing field amongst students across different faculties Widening participation To link into wider University strategy regarding health and wellbeing 3
Wednesday Afternoon Timetabling Gained student feedback via social media platforms On average 30-35% do not have free Wednesday Afternoons Twitter Poll Have your say: UPSU App 4
Barriers to Engagement Survey I would feel isolated if I was unable to participate in UPSU Clubs, Societies and Activities 0.47% 3.06%1.65% 7.29% 33.18% 14.59% 39.76% Strongly Agree Agree Neither Agree nor Disagree Disagree Strongly Disagree I Don't Know Prefer not to say 5
Barriers to Engagement Survey Wednesday afternoons should not be timetabled from 12pm to allow time for students to take part in Clubs, Societies and Activities 3.26% 0.93% 2.80% 4.43% 8.39% 17.95% 62.24% Strongly Agree Agree Neither Agree nor Disagree Disagree Strongly Disagree I Don't Know Prefer not to say 6
Barriers to Engagement Survey My Wednesday afternoons are currently NOT free from 1pm 2.34%1.64% 14.75% 26.23% 15.22% 11.71% 28.10% Strongly Agree Agree Neither Agree nor Disagree Disagree Strongly Disagree I Don't Know Prefer not to say 7
Barriers to Engagement Survey My lecturers/ teaching staff are flexible and supportive when it comes to Clubs, Societies and Activities on Wednesday afternoons 1.41% 5.41% 20.71% 19.53% 7.06% 14.35% 31.53% Strongly Agree Agree Neither Agree nor Disagree Disagree Strongly Disagree I Don't Know Prefer not to say 8
Barriers to Engagement Survey I would academically benefit from additional resources to be available to me if I miss a Wednesday afternoon session 0.93% 0.93% 11.89% 6.29% 23.31% 19.11% 37.53% Strongly Agree Agree Neither Agree nor Disagree Disagree Strongly Disagree I Don't Know Prefer not to say 9
Student Feedback: Common Themes Sports Clubs and Societies Whole days required for Away Fixtures Difficulty to field teams Reduces Engagement Compromising situation- committee members Distance- 1pm does not always allow sufficient time Example: In our first year we were constantly timetabled on Wednesday afternoons, this included our induction week, which was all up at PAHC so we missed out on fresher s week activities. When we got the go ahead to start the SUP club at the end of last year, I spoke with the head of podiatry. She said it is because we are on a medical course and it is more demanding. This term we seem to have sessions finishing at 1pm most of the time but because we are up at PAHC we still miss out because of the journey into town Podiatry student 100% should be kept free, without this societies and sports club don't have that extra time to engage with students. In addition, some students use it as an opportunity to work. Robotics student 10
Student Feedback: Common Themes Student Health and Wellbeing Well Being Disability Support Opportunity to socialise Supports Parental Responsibilities Example: Due to the assumption that Wednesdays are free, the counselling and wellbeing support service operates many of their group support sessions on Wednesday afternoon: women's group, the international student group, mood boost classes, mindfulness etc. I think that having the time off helps make these services accessible to more students. Unfortunately, I think that there is always going to be an element of prioritising at uni, but having no class on one afternoon certainly helps. Educational Studies student Absolutely, I've had to leave lectures early for ADHD group/ get there late because of late lectures. Very annoying for me, and disruptive for the rest of the group (more so considering the target audience of the group, any excuse for us to get distracted) Dietetics student As a single parent having the knowledge that wed afternoons are free means I can schedule appointments, eyetests etc, it means that my daughter's are able to attend after school clubs like brownies because I know I will be around (weekends are out as they are often at their dads) and that I have a definite day I can chose for parent teacher meetings etc. So to me it's important from that point of view. Similarly in the time between lectures and pickup time I have a guaranteed slot to fit in something regular on the social side. So yeah from a parenting point of view I find it extremely important personally. Biomedical Science student 11
Student Feedback: Common Themes Other Opportunities Opportunity to Volunteer Opportunity for Part-time work Self-directed study Examples: Wednesdays should be kept as self-directed study days or highly directed study days. I'm on placement whilst on the course, the placement area should be aware of your commitments and support your extra-curricular activities. The university wants to promote well rounded individuals then putting the sports and societies at the front of this will allow students to have a boarder skill base. Child Nursing student Yes! I volunteer at a local rehab centre and with an ever changing timetable it's the one period I can guarantee them. Psychology student I definitely support the core teaching hours remaining 9am - 1pm on a Wednesday as it allows for a break in the week where the majority of students like myself will catch up on things they haven't been able to fit in due to other work and commitments. Plus the time allows for personal development in other areas separate to our academic endeavours Civil Engineering student 12
Report of all Wednesday Afternoon timetabled Sessions 2017/2018 800 695 700 643 600 500 464 432 429 400 356 300 263 233 214 212 181 200 108 100 52 0 Business Arts & Humanities Science & Engingeering Health & Human Science PUPSMD Undergraduate Postgraduate Total Total number of individually timetabled sessions: 2247 13
Faculty of Business 233 The number of individual Wednesday Afternoon timetabled sessions, within the 2017-18 Academic year 250 181 200 150 100 52 50 0 Undergraduate Postgraduate Total Undergraduate 5 3 2 16 821 7 Assessment Assessment Field Trip 21 Field Trip Lecture Lecture Practical Seminar Seminar Workshop Tutorial 19 Workshop 3 Postgraduate 146 14
Faculty of Arts & Humanities 700 643 600 The number of individual Wednesday Afternoon timetabled sessions, within the 2017-18 Academic year 500 429 400 300 214 200 100 0 Undergraduate Postgraduate Total 14 Undergraduate Postgraduate 18 27 108 74 3 Field Trip 49 Assessment Lecture Group Work 10 Practical Lecture Seminar Seminar 69 Tutorial Tutorial 75 Workshop Workshop 130 75
Faculty of Health & Human Sciences 800 695 700 The number of individual Wednesday Afternoon timetabled sessions, within the 2017-18 Academic year 600 500 432 400 263 300 200 100 0 Undergraduate Postgraduate Total Postgraduate Undergraduate 1 110 9 Assessment 9 Assessment 65 42 Clinical Skills Clinical Skills Field Trip 135 Lecture 12 Lecture Practical 83 Practical Seminar 40 Problem Based Learning/ Enquiry Based Learning Seminar Tutorial 137 Workshop 8 30 13 Tutorial Other 19 81 16
Faculty of Science & Engineering 464 500 450 The number of individual Wednesday Afternoon timetabled sessions, within the 2017-18 Academic year 400 356 350 300 250 200 150 108 100 50 0 Undergraduate Postgraduate Total 60 0 21 2 5 Undergraduate Postgraduate 38 Assessment Assessment 25 Clinical Skills 100 Field Trip Lecture 65 Lecture Practical Practical 46 Seminar Seminar Tutorial Workshop 14 Workshop Other Other 27 112 17
PUPSMD Assessment 18 29 Clinical Skills 11 2 Lecture 6 Practical 41 Problem Based Learning/ Enquiry Based Learning Seminar 50 Stimulated Dental Learning Environment Tutorial 7 Workshop 48 18
Recommendation: Keep Wednesday Afternoons Free To re-visit the timetabling project and reduce the amount of sessions timetabled on Wednesday afternoons, except in exceptional circumstances i.e. Fieldtrips. To extend the provisions to keep Wednesday afternoons free to students on all courses, including Postgraduate Courses. To extent the policy to ensure that Wednesday timetabling is limited to 12pm, as this would allow more students to participate in the activities that may be a distance to travel. To ensure all staff who schedule teaching hours on a Wednesday afternoon provide resources available to students who are unable to attend. This support should be fair across all students. To support students where possible to get more involved with Sports, Societies and UPSU Activities on Wednesday Afternoons 19
Thank you 20
