This thesis investigates first-year students� challenges in making sense of the learning and teaching environment during their first semester at university. The aims for the research are threefold. Firstly, mapping the range of challenges students at one university faced in their learning and teaching environments in the first semester. Secondly, developing a greater understanding of those challenges. Thirdly, identifying what educational initiatives the university could consider that might assist students to meet those challenges. The challenges were examined in the context of changes in higher education. My interest and motivation for this research project concerns improved practices in the first-year teaching and learning environment, rather than improved students. This means that I did not look for deficits within students, but for indications of what helps or does not help students� introduction to the new environment of academia. By mapping students� challenges in the first semester, I hope to contribute to the understanding of academic staff of the range of challenges students have to deal with. The interpretation of the results and my line of argument are partly influenced and shaped by the theoretical framework of academic literacies, and the notion of de-familiarisation. For this project, two data sources were used. The first source was data from a survey carried out in May 2004 amongst students enrolled in 100-level courses. The second source was data from interviews conducted with first-year students in the same year. In considering the analysis as a whole, a number of key issues could be discerned. These related to communication, academic skills, access to resources and help, and engagement and connection. The results showed that some of these issues had less to do with educational practices, and more to do with contested understandings of the nature of university education, and the nature of students now entering university. I argue that underlying these issues there are contentious questions of who should adjust or adapt to whom: students to the university, or the university to students? Students� reported experiences further suggest that some teachers seemed more aware than others that first-year students face particular challenges. Students did not consider their experiences as reflective of the university as a whole. The university was experienced as an institution with divergent ways of organising courses, of valuing aspects of university learning, and of interpreting seemingly similar things. This suggests that where students experienced challenges, these were not necessarily a function of students� characteristics, or students� attitudes to studying, but of particular course environments. The overall picture that presents itself, then, is that there are challenges that could be considered unnecessary. Whereas few students would experience all of the challenges identified in the results chapters, I argue that there are some aspects that warrant improvement. Improvement initiatives in first-year education, however, are not necessarily considered important by all academic staff. This is another contested issue in universities. A more explicit introduction of first-year students to academia as a range of heterogeneous communities would respond to first-year students� needs for familiarisation and clarity, as well as reflect some of the values that universities could be said to espouse. Successful interventions in first-year education, however, will also depend on ongoing dialogue with staff about various contested issues, the changed and changing context of higher education, and related challenges and opportunities.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Florida State University, 2004. / Advisor: Dr. Barbara A. Mann, Florida State University, College of Education, Dept. of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. Title and description from dissertation home page (viewed June 16, 2004). Includes bibliographical references.

This is the first Canadian study to determine current procedures and practice in for undergraduate students in the Faculty of Arts English-speaking Canadian public universities. and to determine Arts advisors' perceptions of the impact of academic advising on student development and retention. A questionnaire was mailed to 82 academic advisors at 41 English public universities across Canada. Responses received represented 73% of eligible universities. Personal interviews followed with nine volunteers. Results showed that academic advising practice is not guided by formal policy that links the service to university and faculty goals. Instead, advising is evolving in response to the call for university accountability. Advising practices appear to be changing to meet the expectations and demands from students that their undergraduate experience facilitates the achievement of academic goals in association with career goals and other personal goals. Despite the lack of guiding policy on Arts academic advising, there is considerable amount of consistency in current practice across Canada. Advising is primarily a Faculty responsibility and the responsibility for delivering general academic advice has largely shifted from professors to professional advisors. Advisors have a broad range of responsibilities and extensive decision-making authority, especially in the areas of program planning with students, and in interpreting and applying policies and procedures. The hours that students can gain access to advising differs among Arts advising units. However, the methods of delivering advice are similar. In all advising units the student to advisor ratio is extremely high. Most units are responsible for providing the service to thousand of students. Arts advisors are also extensively involved a variety of outreach and liaison activities directed at potential and current students and the broader university community and the public. Arts academic advisors believe that advising improves student persistence to degree completion and hence also improves university retention rates. At the same time, some advisors perceive that central administration does not recognize the importance of the service and that this lack of recognition combined with heavy advising loads, complex policy and program regulations, and shrinking resources affects the quality of academic advising. Despite the difficulties mentioned by advisors, many advising units have initiatives in place to expand their academic advising service through joint strategies with other student services that will link students' short-term and long-term academic, career and life plans. The study concludes with recommendations on developing academic policy and programs, as well providing suggestions for further research.

The purpose of this study was to analyze possible effects of the 1997-1998 Multicultural Advisor Pilot Program which was designed to positively effect the adjustment of students of color to the Ball State University environment. The study utilizes the Student Adaptation to College Questionnaire which examines a student's full-scale adjustment, academic adjustment, social adjustment, personal-emotional adjustment, and attachment/commitment to their education and institution. Results of the study suggest various differences in adjustment to the Ball State University environment do exist between the first-year students of color affected by the program and the first-year students of color who were not involved with the Multicultural Advisor Pilot program. / Department of Secondary, Higher, and Foundations of Education

MOTIVATION FOR THE STUDY - At present there is a growing need for empirical information in the study and career counselling process especially with regard to the statistical comparison of successful students' aptitudes. interests and personality profiles in various courses. There also is a growing demand for data regarding the predictive validity of the psychometric instruments regularly used. In an attempt to improve the effectiveness of the counselling process. mean profiles for three groups of first year students on the grounds of their mean scores on three psychometric, instruments. were drawn up and were compared with each other on a statistical basis. Secondly the predictive validity of each instrument as well as for two instruments combined was investigated. AIM OF THE RESEARCH - Firstly the aim of this study was to compare the three experimental groups' mean interest aptitude and adaptation profiles as measured by the 19 Field Interest Inventory (19 FII), the Senior Aptitude Tests (SAT) and the PHSF Relations Questionnaire on a statistical basis with each other. in order to detect statistical differences among the profiles of the three groups. The second aim of this study can be put as follows: - To determine the predictive value of each variable (psychometric instrument) with the criterion (average academical achievement); - To determine the relation between two of the variables, namely the 19 Field Interest Inventory and the Senior Aptitude Tests. combined and the criterion by means of the multiple correlation technique. METHOD OF INVESTIGATION - In the first place, a study of the relevant literature was undertaken, concerning the concepts of interest, aptitude and adaptation. Among these attention was especially focused on some definitions as well as the measurement of each concept. The psychometric instruments used in this research was discussed thoroughly regarding their development, contents, reliability and content and predictive validity. The sample used in this study consisted of 93 first year students assigned to the groups in the following way: 33 BA(Communication), 30 BA(Education) and 30 B(Law) students. Statistical operations were done for the total group by means of a computer. This included the drawing-up of mean profiles on each variable for each group as well as the statistical comparison of these profiles with each other. In the second place multiple regression was performed. CONCLUSIONS - With regard to the first aim of this study, the following can be concluded: - The experimental groups' mean interest profiles differed statistically from each other on the following fields of the 19 FII, namely FII 4 (Historical), FII 5 (Service), FII 7 (Sociability), FII 8 (Public Speaking), FII 9 (Law), FII 10 (Creative Thought), FII 13 (Practical Female) and FII 15 (Business). - The experimental groups' mean aptitude profiles differed statistically from each other on one test of the SAT and that is SAT 1 (Verbal Comprehension). - The experimental groups' mean adaptation profiles differed statistically from each other on one component of the PHSF, namely PHSF 9 (Sociability-S). With regard to the multiple regression analysis, the following can be concluded: - With regard to aptitude, three tests of the SAT with the best regression weights were selected for the BA(Communication) group by means of Mallows' CP-regression analysis, namely Disguised Words, Comparison and Pattern Completion. For the BA(Education) group four tests of the SAT with the best regression weights were selected, namely Verbal comprehension, Calculations, Figure Series and Spatial 3-D. Three tests of the SAT with the best regression weights were selected for the B(Law) group, namely Calculations, Pattern Completion and Memory (Paragraph). - With regard to interest, four fields of the 19 FII with the best regression weights were selected for the BA(Communication) group by means of Mallows' CP-regression method, namely Public Speaking, Science, Numerical and Travel. For the BA(Education) group six fields of the 19 FII with the best regression weights were selected, namely Law, Creative Thought, Business, Clerical, Nature and Sports. Only one field with the best regression weight was however selected for the BA(Law) group, namely Business. - With regard to adaptation, three components of the PHSF Relations Questionnaire with the best regression weights were selected for the BA(Communication) group by mean of the same method, namely Health, Sociability-S and Formal Relations. For the BA(Education) group two components were selected, namely Selfcontrol and Nervousness. Four components of the PHSF with the best regression weights were selected for the B(Law) group, namely Health, Personal Freedom, Moral Sense and Desirability Scale. As for the last aim of this study, namely the determination of the relation between the 19 FII and the SAT combined, and the criterion, the following can be concluded: With regard to the BA(Communication) group, four predictors with the best regression weights were statistically selected, namely one test of the SAT (Comparison) and three fields of the 19 FII (Science, Numerical and Travel). - As far as the BA(Education) group is concerned, four predictors with the best regression weights were statistically selected, namely two tests of the SAT (Verbal Comprehension and Spatial 3-D) and two fields of the 19 FII (Social Work and Creative Thought). With regard to the B(Law) group, a combination of twelve predictors with the best regression weights were selected, namely four tests of the SAT (Calculations, Figure Series, Spatial 2-D and Memory Symbols ) and eight fields of the 19 FII (Fine Arts, Performing Arts, Historical, Service, Creative Thought, Clerical and Travel). RECOMMENDATIONS - It is recommended that more extensive research be undertaken with successful students in every course of study regarding their interests, aptitudes, adaptation and personalities, in order to detect their similarities and differences. In order to increase the reliability of such findings, it is also recommended that the size of the experimental groups be increased. Research should also be undertaken concerning the selection and composition of relevant test-batteries in order to achieve optimum prediction of academic achievement. However, the selection of psychometric tests as used in this study should be extended with at least a personality test. / Thesis (MA)--PU vir CHO, 1983

MOTIVATION FOR THE STUDY - At present there is a growing need for empirical information in the study and career counselling process especially with regard to the statistical comparison of successful students' aptitudes. interests and personality profiles in various courses. There also is a growing demand for data regarding the predictive validity of the psychometric instruments regularly used. In an attempt to improve the effectiveness of the counselling process. mean profiles for three groups of first year students on the grounds of their mean scores on three psychometric, instruments. were drawn up and were compared with each other on a statistical basis. Secondly the predictive validity of each instrument as well as for two instruments combined was investigated. AIM OF THE RESEARCH - Firstly the aim of this study was to compare the three experimental groups' mean interest aptitude and adaptation profiles as measured by the 19 Field Interest Inventory (19 FII), the Senior Aptitude Tests (SAT) and the PHSF Relations Questionnaire on a statistical basis with each other. in order to detect statistical differences among the profiles of the three groups. The second aim of this study can be put as follows: - To determine the predictive value of each variable (psychometric instrument) with the criterion (average academical achievement); - To determine the relation between two of the variables, namely the 19 Field Interest Inventory and the Senior Aptitude Tests. combined and the criterion by means of the multiple correlation technique. METHOD OF INVESTIGATION - In the first place, a study of the relevant literature was undertaken, concerning the concepts of interest, aptitude and adaptation. Among these attention was especially focused on some definitions as well as the measurement of each concept. The psychometric instruments used in this research was discussed thoroughly regarding their development, contents, reliability and content and predictive validity. The sample used in this study consisted of 93 first year students assigned to the groups in the following way: 33 BA(Communication), 30 BA(Education) and 30 B(Law) students. Statistical operations were done for the total group by means of a computer. This included the drawing-up of mean profiles on each variable for each group as well as the statistical comparison of these profiles with each other. In the second place multiple regression was performed. CONCLUSIONS - With regard to the first aim of this study, the following can be concluded: - The experimental groups' mean interest profiles differed statistically from each other on the following fields of the 19 FII, namely FII 4 (Historical), FII 5 (Service), FII 7 (Sociability), FII 8 (Public Speaking), FII 9 (Law), FII 10 (Creative Thought), FII 13 (Practical Female) and FII 15 (Business). - The experimental groups' mean aptitude profiles differed statistically from each other on one test of the SAT and that is SAT 1 (Verbal Comprehension). - The experimental groups' mean adaptation profiles differed statistically from each other on one component of the PHSF, namely PHSF 9 (Sociability-S). With regard to the multiple regression analysis, the following can be concluded: - With regard to aptitude, three tests of the SAT with the best regression weights were selected for the BA(Communication) group by means of Mallows' CP-regression analysis, namely Disguised Words, Comparison and Pattern Completion. For the BA(Education) group four tests of the SAT with the best regression weights were selected, namely Verbal comprehension, Calculations, Figure Series and Spatial 3-D. Three tests of the SAT with the best regression weights were selected for the B(Law) group, namely Calculations, Pattern Completion and Memory (Paragraph). - With regard to interest, four fields of the 19 FII with the best regression weights were selected for the BA(Communication) group by means of Mallows' CP-regression method, namely Public Speaking, Science, Numerical and Travel. For the BA(Education) group six fields of the 19 FII with the best regression weights were selected, namely Law, Creative Thought, Business, Clerical, Nature and Sports. Only one field with the best regression weight was however selected for the BA(Law) group, namely Business. - With regard to adaptation, three components of the PHSF Relations Questionnaire with the best regression weights were selected for the BA(Communication) group by mean of the same method, namely Health, Sociability-S and Formal Relations. For the BA(Education) group two components were selected, namely Selfcontrol and Nervousness. Four components of the PHSF with the best regression weights were selected for the B(Law) group, namely Health, Personal Freedom, Moral Sense and Desirability Scale. As for the last aim of this study, namely the determination of the relation between the 19 FII and the SAT combined, and the criterion, the following can be concluded: With regard to the BA(Communication) group, four predictors with the best regression weights were statistically selected, namely one test of the SAT (Comparison) and three fields of the 19 FII (Science, Numerical and Travel). - As far as the BA(Education) group is concerned, four predictors with the best regression weights were statistically selected, namely two tests of the SAT (Verbal Comprehension and Spatial 3-D) and two fields of the 19 FII (Social Work and Creative Thought). With regard to the B(Law) group, a combination of twelve predictors with the best regression weights were selected, namely four tests of the SAT (Calculations, Figure Series, Spatial 2-D and Memory Symbols ) and eight fields of the 19 FII (Fine Arts, Performing Arts, Historical, Service, Creative Thought, Clerical and Travel). RECOMMENDATIONS - It is recommended that more extensive research be undertaken with successful students in every course of study regarding their interests, aptitudes, adaptation and personalities, in order to detect their similarities and differences. In order to increase the reliability of such findings, it is also recommended that the size of the experimental groups be increased. Research should also be undertaken concerning the selection and composition of relevant test-batteries in order to achieve optimum prediction of academic achievement. However, the selection of psychometric tests as used in this study should be extended with at least a personality test. / Thesis (MA)--PU vir CHO, 1983

This thesis investigates first-year students� challenges in making sense of the learning and teaching environment during their first semester at university. The aims for the research are threefold. Firstly, mapping the range of challenges students at one university faced in their learning and teaching environments in the first semester. Secondly, developing a greater understanding of those challenges. Thirdly, identifying what educational initiatives the university could consider that might assist students to meet those challenges. The challenges were examined in the context of changes in higher education. My interest and motivation for this research project concerns improved practices in the first-year teaching and learning environment, rather than improved students. This means that I did not look for deficits within students, but for indications of what helps or does not help students� introduction to the new environment of academia. By mapping students� challenges in the first semester, I hope to contribute to the understanding of academic staff of the range of challenges students have to deal with. The interpretation of the results and my line of argument are partly influenced and shaped by the theoretical framework of academic literacies, and the notion of de-familiarisation. For this project, two data sources were used. The first source was data from a survey carried out in May 2004 amongst students enrolled in 100-level courses. The second source was data from interviews conducted with first-year students in the same year. In considering the analysis as a whole, a number of key issues could be discerned. These related to communication, academic skills, access to resources and help, and engagement and connection. The results showed that some of these issues had less to do with educational practices, and more to do with contested understandings of the nature of university education, and the nature of students now entering university. I argue that underlying these issues there are contentious questions of who should adjust or adapt to whom: students to the university, or the university to students? Students� reported experiences further suggest that some teachers seemed more aware than others that first-year students face particular challenges. Students did not consider their experiences as reflective of the university as a whole. The university was experienced as an institution with divergent ways of organising courses, of valuing aspects of university learning, and of interpreting seemingly similar things. This suggests that where students experienced challenges, these were not necessarily a function of students� characteristics, or students� attitudes to studying, but of particular course environments. The overall picture that presents itself, then, is that there are challenges that could be considered unnecessary. Whereas few students would experience all of the challenges identified in the results chapters, I argue that there are some aspects that warrant improvement. Improvement initiatives in first-year education, however, are not necessarily considered important by all academic staff. This is another contested issue in universities. A more explicit introduction of first-year students to academia as a range of heterogeneous communities would respond to first-year students� needs for familiarisation and clarity, as well as reflect some of the values that universities could be said to espouse. Successful interventions in first-year education, however, will also depend on ongoing dialogue with staff about various contested issues, the changed and changing context of higher education, and related challenges and opportunities.

Thesis (M.Ed.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 1999. / Bibliography: leaves 65-71.

Thesis (M.S.)--Eastern Illinois University, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 55-56).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2007. / The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on October 8, 2007) Vita. Includes bibliographical references.