Identifying student retention factors of a UK university using the concept of a learning community: a qualitative approach

Chrysikos, Alexandros and Catterall, Stephen (2020) Identifying student retention factors of a UK university using the concept of a learning community: a qualitative approach. Higher Education Pedagogies, 5 (1). pp. 90-109. ISSN 2375-2696

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Abstract / Description

The UK will need a skilled IT work force to maintain its position as a world leader in computing research and development. This study investigated the experience of learning communities amongst first year undergraduate computing students at a UK university. The concept of a learning community was used to examine its influence on student academic and social integration, the issues students need to overcome and the knowledge they need to acquire to become successful. A qualitative approach was employed using the ‘unfolding matrix’, which was completed during group interviews. The data analysis results revealed that learning communities critically affect students’ academic and social integration. Specifically, the importance of student support and guidance from academic staff was considered, as well as student relationships with other students and academic staff. Furthermore, developing a sense of personal awareness and the need to develop an effective academic skill-set to succeed were identified as critical.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	** From Crossref via Jisc Publications Router
Uncontrolled Keywords:	learning communities; student retention; academic integration; social integration; unfolding matrix
Subjects:	300 Social sciences > 370 Education
Department:	School of Computing and Digital Media
SWORD Depositor:	Pub Router
Depositing User:	Pub Router
Date Deposited:	14 Aug 2020 12:28
Last Modified:	14 Aug 2020 12:28
URI:	https://repository.londonmet.ac.uk/id/eprint/5953

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