SPAT

Student Progression And Transfer - SPAT
A HEFCE FDTL (3) Project 2000 - 2004

York 2002
Supporting Transition by Effective Progression Strategies - The Royal York Hotel, York, North Yorkshire, UK. - 21st and 22nd November 2002
	The transition and progression of students into and through HE courses is an important contemporary academic issue. Given government initiatives to widen participation and increase numbers, the need to ensure student retention and progression has become paramount. As a result, innovative teaching and learning strategies are emerging in HE institutions. The STEPS Conference offers the opportunity to think holistically about these strategies throughout the student experience; pre-entry, induction, and in-programme support. The conference is organised jointly by the HEFCE-funded projects SPAT and PROGRESS, which are disseminating transition, progression and support strategies in the generic HE and engineering sectors respectively. STEPS therefore presents the tools and techniques to understand and enhance the student experience, and sets these in the operational context of engineering disciplines, which are experiencing significant progression problems in the UK and elsewhere. The conference is divided into two parts:
Day 1 Plenary Sessions - Strategic Overview (afternoon only)
	Keynote Presentations (Invited Speakers) 1. The Endangered Student Species; avoiding the pitfalls 2. Engineering Solutions to progression problems Discussion Panel - open forum
Day 2 Workshop Sessions - Tactical Approaches
	These are concise descriptions of support techniques for student transition and progression given by practitioners drawn from Engineering and a range of other academic disciplines. The workshops will include opportunities for questions and discussion. Pre-Entry Planning 1. Understanding qualification structures and progression routes 2. Developing FE/HE transition partnerships 3. Practical tools for supporting student transition to Higher Education The Induction Phase 4. Techniques for social/academic integration of new students 5. The assessment of student aptitudes through psychometric testing 6. The motivation of new students through design exercises In-Programme Support 7. Maintaining good communications with students 8. Supporting and enhancing mathematics skills 9. The implementation of problem-based learning techniques Download final conference proceedings (14/11/2002 - pdf file)
	As this is a subsidised workshop, food and overnight accommodation are included in the registration fee of £90. (subsidy for travel expenses is not available) Numbers are strictly limited to 80 delegates, so early registration is encouraged. The Royal York Hotel stands majestically just outside the ancient city walls and looms up at you as you come out of the railway station, which is conveniently right next door. This late-19th century hotel has three acres of private gardens and impressive views over York Minster and the River Ouse. The hotel also has a complimentary Leisure Club, complete with swimming pool, gym, whirlpool, sauna, steam room and solarium.