LTA Connect: Post - pandemic student engagement

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Session Slides | Session Report | Session Recording

Session Outline

There is currently a widespread perception within the Higher Education sector that student engagement has decreased during the current academic year. Extensive research has taken place on learning and student engagement during the pandemic, particularly during lockdowns when usual methods of learning and teaching had to be significantly changed at short notice. However, comparatively little is known about the long-term effects of the pandemic on student behaviour after most of the changes introduced to reduce the spread of the virus came to an end.

An internal report has been prepared for UHI staff looking at student engagement with academic studies, activities, events, and social opportunities this academic year and this presentation will look at the findings of the report.  It will cover extent of this lack of student engagement, the experience of the sector, suggested remedies, and some proposals for what we might do within UHI.

The report found that student engagement with academic studies has been significantly affected at other universities, but not UHI, where all measures of engagement show continued healthy engagement, or an increase in engagement. However, support services and non-academic engagement presented a more mixed picture, with some elements of engagement such as one to one sessions with professional staff showing an increase in demand, while events appeared to be suffering from lack of demand.

It is interesting to note that during the height of the pandemic, and lockdowns, there appeared to be an increase in interest in all types of engagement. It appears to only be now that restrictions are removed and some normal methods of working return that there appears to be a lack of engagement.

The impact long-term impact of the pandemic on society and our student population is unknown. However, the session will consider what factors may influence how our students wish to engage with us in the future, and how we might ensure that what we do continues to meet student needs in this changing world.

Presenters

Kevin Sinclair

Kevin Sinclair is the Student Engagement Manager for the University of the Highlands and Islands. His role involves leading student engagement initiatives and coordinating work among our academic partners on engagement through the Student Engagement Group. His engagement work includes formal student feedback, student representation, and engagement with student life and development.

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