Transfer Students
Creating An Engaging & Inclusive Environment (read full series)
What is it?
Transfer students represent a diverse collection of often nontraditional backgrounds and experiences; as such, these students have needs and expectations of their university educations that can be much different than their peers on more traditional pathways (Lester, Leonard, & Mathias, 2013)1 .
Research
Given the lower costs of attending less expensive 2-year colleges, transferring is a popular option among students from a variety of underrepresented populations, including first-generation students, veteran students, and those from low socioeconomic backgrounds (Durosko, 2017; Fauria & Fuller, 2015).
Since they may face a variety of challenges outside of school which could significantly impact school performance, instructors can help promote success by being willing to work with transfer students if/when their extracurricular responsibilities (i.e., employment or commuting schedules, family demands, veteran or nontraditional age status) interfere with their curricular ones.
Data
of newly enrolled UCD undergraduate students are transfer.
is the total number of transfer students enrolled at UC Davis in the 2018-19 school year (UCOP INFO CENTER, 2018).
Teaching Strategies
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Implement active and collaborative activities and encourage students to work with a variety of peers in class, so that they can establish new connections and networks.
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Integrate authentic activities and assignments, with emphasis on how content will apply to work in the future.
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Make timely feedback (written or oral) an integral part of class, so that students can integrate your comments/suggestions into their next assignment.
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Encourage students to come to office hours, and create opportunities for student-instructor interactions.
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Self-identify if you were a transfer student.
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Vary your approach when working with veterans or nontraditionally-aged students by considering their life experiences and age. Honor and build upon these unique perspectives during discussion.
Students say ...
- “Once I knew about the campus Transfer Center (because a professor provided the link on her syllabus and Canvas page), I was able to connect with other transfer students and access some of the resources available to me.”
- “When instructors use open-source textbooks or software, it is very helpful to the financial burden that my education places on my family.”
Reflection
- How can you encourage students to make use of their prior knowledge, perspectives, and experiences?
- How are you able to be transparent and make students aware of your high expectations for them?
- 1List of all references in the complete JITT Guide.