#3590

Synchronous (Onsite) Differentiated Instruction / Special Educational Needs / Universal Design for Learning Research Report/Paper (25 mins Onsite)

Succeed with Skills: An Academic Writing Diagnostic Programme to Bridge Gaps in Higher Education

Sat, Apr 29, 15:00-15:25 Asia/Seoul

Location: P205

Academic achievement gaps between different groups of students in Higher Education (HE) has become a crucial concern. This paper focuses on an action-research oriented, skills development diagnostic programme designed and delivered in collaboration between subject-specialists and learning development practitioners to first-year management students. The aim was to bridge the skills gap for students from different backgrounds including entry qualifications, race and socio-economic class. The programme targeted: structure, critical writing, and evidence-based writing. The diagnostic used the Articulate software and the results directed students onto one of two levels of study-skills sessions: Develop or Enhance. Preliminary evaluation results showed students reported an increase in confidence levels ranging from 22% - 25.8%. This type of programme could potentially equip students with the tools and knowledge they need to succeed in their studies regardless of their backgrounds, and thereby help in facilitating student mobility and social justice in HE.

  • Joe Greenwood

    Joe Greenwood currently works as an Assistant Professor of English at Yeonsung University in South Korea, where his main responsibilities are teaching practical English courses and ESP and content-based courses to students across the university. Joe has been teaching English for ten years, as well as working in the HE sectors in both the UK and South Korea. Holder of an MA TESOL and Applied Linguistics and a PG Dip TESOL, Joe is currently working towards his PhD by published works. His research centres around needs analyses, their creation and application in HE.