Conference 10 June 2003
Preparation for Progression
Issues and developments in FE/HE transition in the South-West of
England
Facilitator: Sarah Shobrook
University of Plymouth
Context
Students who move between and across FE/HE boundaries, whether physical, social
or academic, benefit from good preparation strategies. A Personal Development
Profile can act as an invaluable resource to help with preparation for transition.
The workshop
This workshop looked at a preparation strategy that could be included as an
independent study option within a PDP. The activity would involve constructing
a checklist for transition to HE. In this activity students would have a basic
template with a number of questions on relating to transition and they would
be expected to add to and then downloaded the checklist as a resource to help
them with progression.
The workshop participants looked at and commented on the above activity.
Points from the discussion
- Conceptualise student progression as a journey that requires good
preparation and planning. In this context the PDP acts as a map and a useful
travel resource
- Many students have no real idea of the goals they wish to achieve
or the route they need to take. Getting students to think about where they going
and why and what they need to do to get there is a useful learning strategy.
- Students benefit from reflecting on where they have been and where
they want to go. They also need to know there are alternative routes open to
them and it is OK to change their minds or change direction at certain points
- being aware of alternative routes can be beneficial and the PDP can be the
vehicle through which to achieve this.
- Good preparation prior to starting a journey will help avoid disappointment
and also make the transition to a new environment less arduous.
- Drawing up a checklist could help students identify their needs and
to think about those needs prior to arriving at their destination. This should
not be a singular process but one that is repeated with each new journey, whether
it be to a new educational establishment or into the world of work.
