What is Success? Reflections on Assisting BTEC Students’ Transitions into Higher Education

Authors

  • Sandra Huskinson See bio statement.
  • Helen MacKenzie University of Warwick
  • Keith Pond See bio statement
  • Richard Goodman Loughborough University

Keywords:

BTEC vocational qualifications, transition, online, digital skills, collaboration, students’ experiences, success

Abstract

Presently, one in four students entering higher education (HE) hold a Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC) qualification. These vocational qualifications have played an important role in developing an additional educational pathway into universities for students often associated with under-represented groups and low participation regions, while widening participation initiatives have contributed to the increased number of BTEC students entering HE institutions (HEIs). Following on, potential approaches to support BTEC students during their first year at university were devised. One intervention has involved the development of an online module aimed to assist BTEC students’ transition from college to higher education. This article reflects upon the development of an online module implemented at a ‘selective’ university and examines what we actually define as 'success' within this context. The case study draws upon a variety of sources and provides not just an understanding of the project outcomes, but also an in-depth understanding about the more complex issues surrounding working with students to produce a successful project. Recommendations are provided for further work within this important field. 

Author Biographies

Sandra Huskinson, See bio statement.

Sandra Huskinson, MSc

Sandra is an experienced exponent of all forms of multimedia. She works as a freelance consultant for variety of institutions (including STEM.org.uk and EFMD) and for Loughborough University as a developer. Her MSc in Advanced Interactive Technology was completed at the University of Nottingham in 2006 and has led directly to her interest in online learning. She is an active member of the Association of Learning Technologists.

Helen MacKenzie, University of Warwick

Dr Helen MacKenzie, PhD

Helen has previously worked as a Research Associate at Loughborough University for the Transforming Transitions project. Helen’s main research area has been the study of students’ personal experiences of transition and how they might be best supported. Helen’s PhD in education at the University of Nottingham was completed in 2011. At present, she is currently working as a Research Assistant at the Centre for Education Studies at the University of Warwick on a project using a systematic, realist review method and an interdisciplinary approach, to examine the broader set of factors that have the potential for positive impact on children and young people’s educational success and disadvantage.

Keith Pond, See bio statement

Dr Keith Pond, BSc, MPhil, PhD, FCIB, SFHEA, CMBE

Keith’s enthusiasm for high-quality learning and teaching advises many of his roles in higher education.  He is a Quality Services Director for EFMD (specialising in digital education), a former Associate Dean Teaching at Loughborough University, a visiting lecturer at Birmingham, Kiev and Singapore and an active member of the CABS Learning & Teaching committee.

Richard Goodman, Loughborough University

Richard Goodman

Richard is the Learning Technology Team Manager in IT Services at Loughborough University, having been at Loughborough since 1992, as both a student and member of staff. Richard has worked on many digital education-related projects during his time at Loughborough University, including Project ACORN (an eLib project), Learn (the University’s virtual learning environment launched in 1999), Steeple BR, MEGS, RAPID, DART, EASIMAP, WFA, CAA/QMP, SOCReF and some others that don’t have creative acronyms. Most recently, he was involved with the University’s ReVIEW project, to transform lecture capture provision by moving to an opt-out system for recording teaching events across the campus.

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Published

05/15/2020

How to Cite

Huskinson, S., MacKenzie, H., Pond, K., & Goodman, R. (2020). What is Success? Reflections on Assisting BTEC Students’ Transitions into Higher Education. The Journal of Educational Innovation, Partnership and Change, 6(1). Retrieved from https://journals.studentengagement.org.uk/index.php/studentchangeagents/article/view/1006