This report identifies the learning needs of secondary school students in a tertiary adult learning environment and highlights areas for attention when tertiary lecturers teach younger students.
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of ways to engage and teach the younger learner (aged between 14-17 years). The research used a qualitative approach with focus groups to gather data from the learners, tutors and support staff from institutes of technology and polytechnics in New Zealand. Participating institutions were: Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT), Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT), Wellington Institute of Technology (Weltec), Waikato Institute of Technology (Wintec) and Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology (CPIT).
This project had four overarching objectives:
1. to identify learning needs from a senior secondary student perspective when learning in a tertiary adult learning environment
2. to identify instructional areas for attention when tertiary lecturers teach younger students
3. to identify methods of instruction that bring best results; what are the gaps from a delivery perspective in this new tertiary environment, and what is the nature of professional development programmes to improve teaching and learning outcomes for the younger students?
4. to develop a resource that identifies steps tertiary institutions can take to improve teaching and support services to students.