Learning Support – A Key Element of Overall Student Support
Learning Support has become the catchphrase in higher education – nothing new to secondary and primary sectors – but now the latest ‘buzz’ phrase. So, what exactly does it mean?
Meaning of Learning Support
My own institution has a clear understanding of learning support. The focus areas for this team include –
- Assisting students with their learning and associated skills development;
- Providing individual advice and guidance to students on a range of academic matters;
- Providing individual consultation with students as required;
- Providing lecture and tutorial support as required;
- Working co-operatively with the campus staff to create a positive and welcoming environment, and taking an active role in hybrid and face-to-face supervision.
My own institution currently has 3.2 dedicated staff in the space - over three campuses – available face-to-face and/or virtual.
Need for Early Detection of the Need for Support
At the heart of learning support is the need to provide maximum academic support to students who need the additional assistance the most. This will require early detection of need – hopefully identified by the teaching team – and quick action on the part of the learning support staff.
This has been an activity and/or process within the primary and secondary sectors for some time. The focus in the tertiary sector has been in more recent times.
The best practice is for lecturers/facilitators to identify students promptly – preferably within the first two weeks of a given trimester – and once identified provide the opportunity for learning support staff and students to interact.
Need for Some Degree of Privacy
For many students, the notion of being identified as needing learning support can be viewed as a little embarrassing. In truth, it is much less embarrassing or off-putting than actually failing a subject.
To this end, a degree of privacy is provided (certainly on the Melbourne CBD Campus) with the establishment of a Learning Support Hub (space) located away from common areas but well within access from classrooms. This is not always feasible or possible – but in this case quite doable. With suitable computer resources available – learning staff could actually work with up to three students at a time – this is ideal.
Access to Support
Using an electronic appointment program (and APP) students can make appointments with learning support staff on particular days.
Part of the commitment of the institution is to have wide coverage of personnel over five days a week and at least eight hours each day. This demonstrates a clear commitment to the support being made available.
Learning Support Staff
All personnel - on the Melbourne CBD Campus - are mature-aged women, highly qualified, former teachers. All three happen to be mothers of students who have completed undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications. This makes them highly suitable and highly appreciated by students – both male and female.
Learning Support is an essential element of a successful academic program. It has become the ‘buzz’ phrase in the Sector – and for good reason.
Emeritus Professor Greg Whateley is the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (UBSS) and Chief Executive Officer (GCA)
