IOP Groups
Strategies for Supporting Students
Abstract
Students now enter Universities with very heterogeneous academic backgrounds. However able they are, some will have had only limited contact with a qualified physics teacher in their previous schools, and may then struggle with either or both of the physics or the mathematics parts of their programmes simply because of a mismatch between their background preparation and the expectation of the Department they enter. A-level syllabi have often changed appreciably and staff may be unaware of lacunae in the knowledge of their students - who may then have to cover holes in their background knowledge on their own. All Physics Departments must face and come to terms with these problems in an effective way, and this meeting looks at a variety of strategies which have been adopted in different Institutions for giving academic support to students.
Academic problems are not of course the only problems experienced by students. For whatever reasons, Counselling Services and Helping Agencies on Campuses around the country report a 30% increase in consultations with students experiencing significant personal or mental health problems. The professional services available on all campuses must be backed up by sensitive support strategies, within the Academic Departments, that help students with such difficulties achieve their academic potential throughout the year. They must also provide effective support around examination time. The two issues of academic and of personal support are often inter-related and this meeting will hence also address the issue of non academic, pastoral support within a typical Physics Department.
Programme
| Registration and Coffee |
| Identifying and Supporting Failing Students |
| METRIC – an online Mathematics Support Package |
| Foundation Year Programmes for Physics Students |
| 12:30-13:30 | Lunch and Annual General Meeting of the Higher |
| The role of a University Counselling Service in supporting Students |
| 14:00-14:30 | Helping Students with Dyslexia |
| 14:30-15:00 | Support for University Students with Asperger's Syndrome |
| 15:00-15:30 | Reasonable Adjustments for Students with Special Needs |
| General Discussion |
| End of meeting and tea |
Speakers
Raymund C. Jones, Senior Tutor, The School of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT
Philip Ramsden,Mathematics Department, Imperial College , London, SW7 2AZ
John Mills, The University of Southampton, University Rd., Southampton
Jean Turner, Director of the Counselling Service, 3, Elms Rd., The University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT
Alison Bryant, Outreach Co-ordinator, Dyslexia Action, 01732 740452, abryant@dyslexiaaction.org.uk
Sue Green, Freelance Consultant and Mentor for students with Asperger’s Syndrome, susabham@live.com, Tel. 07810430037
Ray Murray, Senior Tutor, The Department of Physics, The Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College, London SW7 2AZ
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