{"id":59387,"date":"2021-09-17T05:48:48","date_gmt":"2021-09-17T09:48:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/world.edu\/?p=59387"},"modified":"2021-09-17T05:48:48","modified_gmt":"2021-09-17T09:48:48","slug":"local-face-to-face-support-offers-a-lifeline-for-uni-students-in-regional-and-remote-australia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/world.edu\/local-face-to-face-support-offers-a-lifeline-for-uni-students-in-regional-and-remote-australia\/","title":{"rendered":"Local, face-to-face support offers a lifeline for uni students in regional and remote Australia"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\nFor university students living out of reach of a campus and studying online, the growing presence of\u00a0Regional University Centres<\/a>\u00a0is proving to be a lifeline in times of COVID-19. An early evaluation shows these centres in regional and remote Australia are highly effective in supporting students who have been historically under-represented at university and are at high risk of not completing courses. As one student said:
\n\u201cI probably would not have persisted with the course if I had not seen [their centre\u2019s learning skills adviser] to help me.\u201d <\/em>
\nManaged locally by indepedent, not-for-profit boards formed from community members, the number of centres has grown to 26 around the country. These centres collaborate with universities to offer face-to-face learning communities for students in regional and remote areas. Within each centre are quiet study spaces, computers, internet, study support and the company of peers.
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Department of Education, Skills and Employment<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n

Why are these centres needed?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

People in regional and remote Australia are\u00a0about half as likely<\/a>\u00a0as those living in major cities to have a university qualification. This educational divide starts early, with high school students from these areas being about\u00a030% less likely<\/a>\u00a0on average to complete year 12 than their city-based peers.<\/p>\n

Yet\u00a0research indicates<\/a>\u00a0this is not because these young people don\u2019t want to go to university. Both the\u00a0cost<\/a>\u00a0and the physical and emotional\u00a0disruption of leaving home<\/a>\u00a0are the key\u00a0barriers<\/a>\u00a0for students and their families.<\/p>\n

The pandemic has led to a greater\u00a0appreciation and expansion of online learning<\/a>. It has given more regional and remote\u00a0students of all ages<\/a>\u00a0the flexibility to stay and study within their local communities. Studying regionally is also\u00a0more likely to lead to regional work<\/a>, which boosts the local economy.<\/p>\n

The shift to online learning has thrust the challenges of online study into the spotlight. Until recently only a minority experienced these challenges. Now there is more awareness of the need to improve support for online students, including those outside major cities.<\/p>\n

The challenges of online learning include\u00a0technology and internet connectivity<\/a>\u00a0problems, which are more likely in regional and remote Australia.\u00a0Isolation<\/a>\u00a0from teachers and other students can be another barrier.<\/p>\n

Regional University Centres are helping students to overcome these challenges. At each of the centres, they can study, link up with other students, have access to high-speed internet and information technology and get help with their study skills.<\/p>\n

Of the 26 centres across Australia, 13 are operating within the\u00a0Country Universities Centre<\/a>\u00a0(CUC) network. A student at one these centres said:
\n\u201cI have unreliable internet as I live 20km from town. Having access to CUC has helped so much. I am more motivated to continue with my studies because I love going there.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Early evaluations show centres are effective<\/strong><\/h4>\n

The number of Regional University Centres has steadily increased around the country since 2018. This growth has been fuelled by community willpower and funded by a combination of governments and local industry. Early evidence from CUC evaluations is starting to show the positive impact on students.<\/p>\n

One example is the\u00a0Learning Skills Advisor (LSA) program<\/a>\u00a0begun in 2020 to provide generic academic skills sessions across the CUC network. The first in-house evaluation provides an interesting snapshot of the students who came to LSA sessions from March 2020 to July 2021, and of the impact of the program in general.<\/p>\n

Students from government equity categories were strongly represented. They included students from low socioeconomic status (SES) (72%) and Indigenous (9%) backgrounds. As well, 53% were the first in their families to be at university, 65.5% were aged 25 and over, and 46% were studying part-time.<\/p>\n

Other\u00a0research<\/a>\u00a0tells us that part-time, mature-age, low-SES, Indigenous and online students have been historically under-represented at university. If they do manage to get to university, they are more likely to withdraw without qualification.<\/p>\n

The recent snapshot tells us the centres are reaching the students most at risk.<\/p>\n

Student feedback is very positive<\/strong><\/h4>\n

The positive impacts of the LSA program are clear. The evaluation found:<\/p>\n

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  • 93% of participating students reported feeling more confident about their studies<\/li>\n
  • 96% were more motivated<\/li>\n
  • 97.5% achieved higher grades<\/li>\n
  • 95% were more likely to continue with their studies.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Students said they found the practical information helpful.
    \n\u201cI learned about different ways to look up information. There were ideas about how to arrange information and structure essays more efficiently.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

    \u201cI learned to reference as I go, add the reference to my bibliography as I found the source.\u201d<\/p>\n

    <\/center><\/p>\n
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    We are here to support you! Maybe you need some uni advice, access to networks, a friendly catch up call or a virtual shoulder to lean on, whatever it is our CUC team are here to support you and your studies. We are here for you! pic.twitter.com\/fYvPXiPy7B<\/a><\/p>\n

    \u2014 Country Universities Centre (@countryuc) August 17, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n