Embedding in-discipline language support for first year students in the sciences

Felicia Zhang, Brett Lidbury, Jurgen Schulte, Adam Bridgeman, John Rodger, Brian Yates

    Research output: A Conference proceeding or a Chapter in BookConference contributionpeer-review

    Abstract

    This paper reports on a project which aims at addressing the need to cater for the language needs of a diverse student body (both domestic and international student body) by embedding strategic approaches to learning and teaching in first year sciences in tertiary education. These strategies consist of active learning skills which are widely used in language learning. The disciplines covered by the project are Biology, Chemistry and Physics and involves the University of Canberra (UC), University of Sydney (USyd), University of Tasmania (UTAS), University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) and University of Newcastle (Newcastle) in Australia. This project is funded by the Australian Learning and Teaching Council (ALTC). The paper discusses the background to the study and reports on results on the language difficulties faced by first year science student cohorts from data collected in 2008 as well as qualitative data was also collected on 2008 students’ attitudes towards online science learning. It will also report on the results on the implementation of the learning strategies at UTS and UTAS in Physics and Chemistry disciplines in 2009.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationAARE International Education Research Conference 2009
    EditorsPeter L Jeffery
    Place of PublicationAustralia
    PublisherAustralian Association for Research in Education
    Pages1-20
    Number of pages20
    Publication statusPublished - 2009
    EventAARE 2009 International Education Research Conference - Canberra, Australia
    Duration: 29 Nov 20093 Dec 2009

    Publication series

    NameAustralian Association for Research in Education Conference Proceedings
    PublisherAustralian Association for Research in Education
    ISSN (Print)1324-9320

    Conference

    ConferenceAARE 2009 International Education Research Conference
    Country/TerritoryAustralia
    CityCanberra
    Period29/11/093/12/09

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