EBOOK: The Mature Student's Guide to Higher Education


Book Description

Are you considering changing jobs but require a new skill or qualification? Would you like a new challenge or a sense of personal achievement? Have you considered higher education, but weren't sure how to make that first step into it? If so, then this is the ideal book for you. The Mature Student's Guide to Higher Education tells you everything you need to know if you are thinking about returning to education as a mature student. It discusses a wide range of issues including what higher education involves, how you should prepare for it and how to balance your time and cheque book once you get there. This book will explain practical issues, as well as addressing your doubts and fears about higher education as a life choice. The book: Helps you understand the different routes into higher education Explains the mysteries behind admissions procedures Encourages you to develop a new range of skills, building on the skills you already have Gives you guidance on how to manage change, time and family commitments Helps you overcome barriers like a lack of motivation or confidence Expertly guides you through the systems of fees, showing the loans and financial help that are available The Mature Student's Guide to Higher Education provides the most accessible and up-to-date help on how to make an informed decision about when, where and how to start a suitable higher education course as a mature student - and the career path that might follow.




Never Too Late


Book Description

A smart, snappy, and comprehensive guide for the millions of adults who are thinking about going—or going back—to college and want to know how to do it right As anyone who has done it knows, going back to school is a major undertaking. For younger and older adults alike, starting or returning to school presents different challenges than those encountered by teens fresh out of high school and heading straight to college. Countless Americans take on this task while working, raising kids, caring for parents, volunteering, serving in the military—and in some cases all of the above. Although the "non-traditional" undergraduate student is in fact the new normal, the glut of college guides out there don't include practical advice for the busy moms, frustrated employees, and ambitious adults who are applying to college or hoping to finish earning a degree. Never Too Late will help readers jump-start a new professional path or speed down the one they're already on by guiding them through vital questions: What should I study? How can I afford the time and money required to get a college degree? How do I compare schools? With key chapters on flexibility ("It's About Time!" and "Face-to-Face or Cyberspace?") and rankings of the best colleges for grown-ups diving back into the books, Never Too Late is an essential reference for adults seeking a richer life—and a meaningful place in our rapidly changing economy and world.




Trauma in Adult and Higher Education


Book Description

Trauma in Adult and Higher Education: Conversations and Critical Reflections invites readers to think deeply about the experiences of trauma they witness in and outside of the classroom, because trauma alters adult learners' experience by disrupting identity, and interfering with memory, relationships and creativity. Through essays, narratives, and cultural critiques, the reader is invited to rethink education as more than upskilling and content mastery; education is a space where dialogue has the potential to unlock an individual’s sense of power and self-mastery that enables them to make sense of violence, tragedy and trauma. Trauma in Adult and Higher Education: Conversations and Critical Reflections reveals the lived experiences of educators struggling to integrate those who have experienced trauma into their classrooms - whether this is in prison, a yoga class, or higher education. As discourses and programming to support diversity intensifies, it is central that educators acknowledge and respond to the realities of the students before them. Advocates of traumasensitive curriculum acknowledge that trauma shows up as a result of the disproportionate amount of violence and persistent insecurity that specific groups face. Race, gender, sexual orientation, ability, and immigration are all factors that expose individuals to higher levels of potential trauma. Trauma has changed the conversations about what education is, and how it should happen. These conversations are resulting in new approaches to teaching and learning that address the lived experiences of pain and trauma that our adult learners bring into the classroom, and the workforce. This collection includes a discussion of salient implications and practices for adult and higher education administrators and faculty who desire to create an environment that includes individuals who have experienced trauma, and perhaps prevents the cycle of violence.




Supporting Student Diversity in Higher Education


Book Description

Supporting Student Diversity in Higher Education is a working manual that is designed to help managers, academics and members of the professional service teams within universities, recruit and support a diverse student body across the student lifecycle at the same time as delivering a quality student experience in a challenging and pressured environment. Using the Student Experience Practitioner Model as a framework, this book helps colleagues responsible for improving the student experience navigate their way through the maze of student diversity across all levels of study, determining what to deliver, how to deliver it and to whom. It interlinks academic, welfare and support activities at faculty department, school, course and university level to support the student in their university journey. Containing 40 practical and innovative undergraduate UK and international case studies from across 12 countries spanning four continents, this book provides practical examples of recruiting and supporting a diverse student body. It includes initiatives to support: mature students (e.g. academic re-engagement); students with special needs (e.g. dyslexia and other disabilities); international students (e.g. language support requirements); students at risk (e.g. lower socio-economic groups, care leavers, male learners); Transfer and direct entry students (e.g. supporting students through this transition); individual learners and their learning needs (impact of personality on learning); students who support students (e.g. peer support). This book will be of great use to senior and middle administrative managers and academics involved in the recruitment, retention and progression of students; and also to anyone involved in education policy and students aiming to work in higher education.




EBOOK: Studying at a Distance


Book Description

"This book is invaluable for the first time, or even the long term, distance learner. Areas covered include motivation for studying, the learning process, note taking, tips on e-learning, in fact everything up to, and including, preparing for exams. Excellent for dipping into when you hit an obstacle to your studies. Highly recommended." ***** Review of the second edition from Amazon.co.uk This essential guide provides practical help and support for those who have not previously studied at a distance and is ideal for students returning to study after a break. It covers fundamental issues such as motivation, goal setting, time management and coping strategies. Additional coverage in the third edition includes:Specific information on the use of new technologies in distance learningDetailed coverage of referencing, citation and plagiarismDescription of using mind maps and other techniques for planning and writing essays or reportsSupport for disabled students, particularly those with dyslexiaAn expanded further resources sectionHallmark features of this book are the comments and advice offered by distance learning students and tutors. It also includes a comprehensive exploration of developments in e-learning as well as self-study activities that highlight the element of active learning that is crucial to successful studying at a distance. Studying at a Distance is a key resource for undergraduates and postgraduates in all open and distance learning or e-learning courses.




Doing Your Research Project: a Guide for First-Time Researchers


Book Description

*Interested in purchasing Doing Your Research Project as a SmartBook? Visit https://connect2.mheducation.com/join/?c=bellwaters7e to register for access today* Step-by-step advice on completing an outstanding research project. This is the market-leading book for anyone conducting a research project, whether for the first time or as an experienced researcher honing their skills. Clear, concise and readable, this bestselling resource provides a practical, step-by-step guide from initial concept to completion of your research report. Thoroughly updated but retaining its well-loved style, this seventh edition provides: • A brand new first chapter outlining what it means to carry out research, the responsibilities of the researcher, the research journey, and the 'intentional' and 'unintentional' roles of a researcher. • An extensive update to chapter nine on using social media in research, to include ethical considerations and how the researcher can use and reference information collected via these platforms and create collaborative connections. • An online review of the latest tools for collecting and analysing both quantitative and qualitative data gathered from social media sites, such as Survey Monkey and Google Forms. • Further coverage on how to protect research participants, including advice from the NHS on how to conduct research in health-based settings. • More detailed coverage of how to conduct effective online literature searches, not only using Google but also other research-based search engines such as PubMed and professionally-focussed sites. • To support your learning, questions at the end of each chapter, which prompt you to reflect on your research journey. This practical, no-nonsense guide is vital reading for all those embarking on undergraduate or postgraduate study, irrespective of discipline, and for professionals in such fields as social science, education and health. 'The latest edition provides extensive coverage of all that a research student might need to know. The expanse of the topics covered enables this book to be indispensable to a great range of students, not only at different levels of study but also in a variety of disciplines. Bell and Waters present an honest and practical look at a daunting academic undertaking and provide the student with a resource that is currently has no parallel. This new edition brings the text up to date with a look at some of the more creative approaches the research project might take and challenges students to think before making research decisions.' Dr Susan Schutz PhD, MSc, RNT, RGN, Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, UK




Ebook: Doing Your Research Project: A Guide for First-Time Researchers 8


Book Description

"This new edition retains the excellent structure and tone of previous editions whilst bringing the text and examples up to date, reflecting the changing and dynamic social world we live and research in." Dr Steven Gascoigne, Assistant Professor, Centre for Lifelong Learning, University of Warwick, UK "This book combines theoretical knowledge and practical skills with case studies, examples, and reflections in one easy-to-read book... A must for novice researchers." Dr Christina Cooper, Assistant Professor in Community Wellbeing, Northumbria University, UK Now on its eighth edition, Doing Your Research Project remains the authoritative guide to conducting an outstanding research project. Guiding readers through each stage of the research journey, this book gives students the confidence to successfully conceptualise and complete their research. Written in its trademark, student-friendly style, each chapter includes reflective questions to help students apply the advice to their own work. The authors cover a range of disciplines and methodologies, empowering students to make an informed choice about what best suits their research. While retaining its most-loved features from previous editions, the latest edition: Provides updated coverage of digital research techniques Examines the nature of research and the roles that researchers occupy Expands the discussion of research methods This bestselling resource is the ultimate companion to any research project, whether you are a first-time or experienced researcher. Practical, clear and concise, Doing Your Research Project is vital reading for anyone embarking on a research project.







The Mature Student’s Guide to Completing a Doctorate


Book Description

Carefully structured to make it accessible and easy to follow, this thought-provoking book encourages the reader to facilitate a dialogue across disciplines so that mature and unconventional students are acknowledged and can discover a successful path towards admission and PhD completion. Based on real experiences of navigating the doctoral system, the guide includes insights from doctorates, candidates, supervisors, and examiners, who share their stories, insights, and advice. It covers key topics such as: Developing a research topic, conducting research, and research integrity Effectiveness, productivity, and progress Exploring key concepts and techniques through reading, writing, and networking Self-care and motivation Finding your academic voice This guide is a must-read for advanced academic researchers, advanced postgraduate students, and experienced professionals with vocational backgrounds who are seeking recognition for their knowledge and alternative pathways to contribute to the sector.




E-Book - Essential Study Skills for Nursing


Book Description

This title is directed primarily towards health care professionals outside of the United States. Study skills are essential to nursing and this easy-to-use guide will helps to develop the skills necessary to academic and professional life. This book takes a friendly approach and is written in a straightforward style. Using examples from the real experience of being a student nurse or midwife it covers vital areas such as self-motivation, why attention to detail is important, numeracy skills and how to make the most from the help available at universities and colleges. In addition it shows ways to: manage and plan your time effectively; get the most out of lectures and seminars; read effectively; remember more; make notes and use them to develop understanding; manage and succeed at assignments; develop practical nursing skills; learn from clinical experiences; and develop reflective skills.The 'how to' approach and friendly matter-of-fact style is designed to help students make the very best of their experience with lots of useful information on how to improve academic performance and succeed. This book is aimed specifically at student nurses and so allows them to learn about study skills within a context that they can relate to.Useful reflective boxes at appropriate points throughout the text encourage students to engage with the text as they read.The attractive design makes the book accessible and easy to useThe book is current with helpful material on the internet and maths which are now key skills for nurses. A wide range of assessments are discussed which are increasingly being used on nursing programmes including practical exams, OSCEs and oral presentationsClinical practice, skills lab and class room based learning are discussed to help students appreciate and understand how clinical practice is developed.