Enabling learners starts with knowing them: Student attitudes, aspiration and anxiety towards science and maths learning in an Australian pre-university enabling program

J.G. Lisciandro; A. Jones; P. Geerlings

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Enabling learners starts with knowing them: Student attitudes, aspiration and anxiety towards science and maths learning in an Australian pre-university enabling program

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Enabling learners starts with knowing them: Student attitudes, aspiration and anxiety towards science and maths learning in an Australian pre-university enabling program

J.G. Lisciandro, A. Jones and P. Geerlings

Australian Journal of Adult Learning, Vol.58(1), pp.13-40

2018

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Abstract

Pre-university enabling programs provide an important pathway to university for underprepared and disadvantaged students. In order to adequately prepare students for their university journey, enabling educators need to understand and respond to the evolving needs of their learners; not only their academic disparity, but also their past learning experiences and perceptions towards particular subjects. In the current study, students entering an Australian enabling program, ‘OnTrack’, were surveyed on their attitudes, emotions and aspirations towards the study of science and mathematics. Responses were associated with student perceptions of their past science and maths learning experiences. There was incongruity between student expectations of what future study would entail and the realities of their degree choices and career aspirations. This study suggests the need for social and emotional learning and teacher training. Greater attention should be given to both student’s affective needs and their understanding of future course content during their enabling education experience to redress negative emotional learning experiences and safeguard student expectations, satisfaction, and retention in the future.

Details

Title: Enabling learners starts with knowing them: Student attitudes, aspiration and anxiety towards science and maths learning in an Australian pre-university enabling program
Authors/Creators: J.G. Lisciandro (Author/Creator)
A. Jones (Author/Creator)
P. Geerlings (Author/Creator)
Publication Details: Australian Journal of Adult Learning, Vol.58(1), pp.13-40
Publisher: Adult Learning Australia
Identifiers: 991005540834407891
Murdoch Affiliation: Centre for University Teaching and Learning
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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