IN2UNI: SUMMER MASTER CLASSES FINAL REPORT 2015 Overview: The Summer Master Classes are an intensive three-week program for high-achieving students from local schools to participate in lectures, tutorials and complete assignments as part of a university subject. Students from equity backgrounds can apply for a sponsored place which covers the cost of the application fee. On the completion of the subject they are awarded a university subject (6 unspecified credit points) within the Faculty they undertook the subject. Students are also guaranteed Early Admission interview with the same Faculty. Objectives: The objectives of the Summer Master Classes are to: • To build the academic capacity of student participants through enhancing their knowledge of the subject area relevant to their current HSC studies • To develop the skills of the students to successfully transition to a university environment • To increase the engagement of local high school students, including those students from low SES, Indigenous and regional backgrounds with their local university campus • To attract students from high achieving backgrounds to UOW’s campuses, including those students from low SES, Indigenous and regional backgrounds UOW Strategic Plan: The Summer Master Classes address the following goals in UOW’s Strategic Plan 2013 – 2018: • 3.1 Promote high quality regional partnerships as an integrated educational outreach strategy involving our Faculties and regional campuses. • 2.4. Promote the UOW student experience as a life long journey that promotes inclusion, collaboration, international perspectives, leadership skills and an enduring graduate engagement with learning. Location: Wollongong Campus, Shoalhaven Campus, Southern Highlands Campus, Batemans’ Bay Campus and Bega Campus. Date/s: Monday 5th January, 2015 - Wednesday 21st January, 2015 Time: 9.00am-4.30pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays Participants: 250 students from 51 schools across the Illawarra, Southern Highlands and South Coast • 317 students applied to participate in the Summer Master Classes • 277 students were accepted into the Summer Master Classes • 269 students commenced the Summer Master Classes • 248 students successfully completed the Summer Master Classes • 57 (23%) of students received a sponsored place in the Summer Master Classes • 191 (77%) paid an application fee of $360 to participate in the Summer Master Classes Student completions by campus: Batemans Bay Bega Shoalhaven Southern Highlands Wollongong 2 7 16 4 219 Student Final Results: Students’ final marks for the subject are reflected in the graph below. • 10 (4%) of students received a Pass • 60 (24%) of students received a Credit • 139 (56%) of students received a Distinction • 38 (16%) of students received a High Distinction 70.00% 60.00% 50.00% P 40.00% C 30.00% D HD 20.00% 10.00% 0.00% BUS 001 GEOG001 ISIT001 LHA 001 SMAH001 Event Survey Analysis Report Student Demographics Pre Survey: 241/250 (96.4%) Students completed the Pre-survey • 66.39% respondents identified as Female • 32.37% respondents identified as Male • 0.41% respondents identified as Other • 0.83% respondents did not provide a response to this question • 36.93% respondents indicated that they would be first in their family to attend university • 1.24% respondents identified as Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Post Survey: 101/250 (40.4%) 2015 Students completed the Post-survey Survey respondents attended the following high schools: Albion Park High School Illawarra Sports High School Shoalhaven Anglican School Ambarvale High School Keira High School Smith's Hill High School Bega High School Kiama High School St George Girls High School Bomaderry High School Lake Illawarra High School St Joseph's Catholic High School Bulli High School Lumen Christi Catholic College St John's The Evangelist Catholic School Corpus Christi Catholic High School Moruya High School St Mary Star Of The Sea College Wollongong Dapto High School Moss Vale High School The Illawarra Grammar School Dubbo College Senior Campus Nowra Anglican College Shoalhaven Anglican School Eden Marine High School Oak Flats High School Smith's Hill High School Edmund Rice College Saint John The Evangelist Catholic St George Girls High School High School, Nowra Figtree High School Saint Marys Star Of The Sea College St Joseph's Catholic High School Gymea Technology High School Sapphire Coast Anglican College St John's The Evangelist Catholic School Figtree High School Saint Marys Star Of The Sea College St Mary Star Of The Sea College Wollongong Wollongong High School Of The The Illawarra Grammar School The Illawarra Grammar School Performing Arts Woolooware High School Vincentia High School Vincentia High School Woonona High School Warilla High School St Joseph's Catholic High School St Mary Star Of The Sea College Warrawong High School Wollongong St John's The Evangelist Catholic The Illawarra Grammar School School Student Responses to Pre & Post Survey Questions These graphs and information below represent comparative information obtained from students surveyed before and after the program Commentary: • During their participation in the Summer Master Classes student understanding of what the university experience would be like increased. • Over the course of the Summer Master Classes, student’s confidence about their ability to achieve at school had increased. Q1. I have a good sense of what the university experience would be like (e.g. finance, lectures, tutorials, time commitment) *Figure 1: After completing the Summer Master Classes the number of students who said that they had a good sense of what the university experience would be like, increased from 68% to 85%. 70.00% 60.00% 50.00% 40.00% 30.00% 20.00% Pre-Survey 10.00% Post-Survey 0.00% Q3. I think I will do well enough at school to go to university *Figure 3: The number of students who believe they will do well enough at school to go to university, increased from 81% to 86% after completing the program. 60.00% 50.00% 40.00% 30.00% 20.00% Pre-Survey 10.00% Post-Survey 0.00% Student Responses to Post Survey Questions The graphs and information below reflect data captured in the post survey only. Commentary: • Students who participated in the Summer Master Classes developed positive relationships with their In2Uni Mentor • The Summer Master Classes were beneficial to the students who participated, with the majority of students citing that it had provided them with a deeper understanding of their HSC subject content • Students commented on the high quality of teaching and learning in the Summer Master Classes and stated that it increased their motivation to study leading into their HSC year. Q5. I am comfortable talking to my mentor. Figure 5: Over 90% of student participants said they felt comfortable talking to their mentor. 50 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 No. Of Student Responses Student Of No. 5 0 Q9.I found the program beneficial. Figure 9: 85% of students surveyed indicated that they found the program beneficial. 70 60 50 40 30 20 No. of student responses student of No. 10 0 Q10. I have gained a deeper understanding of the HSC content for the subject area I attended in the Summer Master Classes. Figure 10: After completing the program over 65% of students said they had gained a deeper understanding of the HSC content for the subject area covered by the subject they attended. 35 30 25 20 15 10 No. of student responses student of No. 5 0 Q11. My participation in Summer Master Classes has increased my motivation towards my HSC studies. Figure 11: 75% of students surveyed indicated that their participation in the program has increased their motivation towards their HSC studies. 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 No. of student responses student of No. 5 0 Q13. The lecturer and tutors were engaging. Figure 13: Over 85% of students surveyed indicated that they found their lecturers and tutors engaging. 50 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 No.of student responses student No.of 5 0 Qualitative Feedback “[My daughter} was a little “lost” at the end of 2014, not sure what direction to take and whether she was going to achieve the marks to attend University. The Summer Master Class has shown her she is very much capable and she now, more than ever, wants to attend University to study Social Science and in particular at UOW.” (Parent of SMC student, 2015) “I had such an amazing experience, met some great new people and for a change {was} actually interested in what I was learning. This insight to what University would be like has given me the motivation to hopefully return in 2016. “(LHA001 student) “{My favourite part was}…just having the opportunity to gain a head start for university whilst contributing to my HSC studies, and improving my motivation levels as a sense of accomplishment came once I had finished the course. That sense of accomplishment aids my everyday life as I know I can do it and that feeling is irreplaceable and is exactly what most students need to survive the HSC.” (SMAH001 Student) “{I have since}..asked to volunteer with IT related things at school such as database management and server stuff” (ISIT001 Student) “{My favourite part was} …getting my results back from assessment tasks and knowing that the lecturer valued my work.” (BUS001 Student) “This program was fantastic. Meeting new people with similar career goals as my own, talking to university students about university life and completing a university subject in 3 weeks was very beneficial to me. I would love to be a part of this program when I arrive at university as a full-time student because it will provide me with a sense of accomplishment to know that I helped other year 12 students through this course and prepared them for the HSC.” (GEOG001 Student) .