Success in Higher Education ― Transitions To, Within and from University

This book looks at the experience of creating a successful learning environment for students at twelve universities around the globe, with Macquarie University, a large Australian university, studied in depth. Firstly, it addresses what success means, taking a variety of perspectives, including student and employer views. It describes a series of strategies that have been shown to be successful in assisting students in developing their academic potential. The authors of the contributed chapters use a variety of methodologies, including control groups, action research and observational studies. It presents approaches from around the world that work with different groups, because different contexts may require different solutions. These international perspectives demonstrate a triumph of practice that has led to the empowerment of individuals and groups.

Small interventions matter, from a mentor for a nervous female student who then achieves greatness, to the use of a curriculum design that hooks a whole group of students into learning and achievement. This book covers both the small, individual victories and the larger scale strategies that support success.

It includes contributed chapters from Australia, Bangladesh, India, China, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Canada, USA, Uruguay and South Africa.

Leigh Wood is Associate Dean, Learning and Teaching at the Faculty of Business and Economics at Macquarie University in Australia. Her research has focused on enhancing experience and improving outcomes for students and staff. The ultimate aim is to provide a vibrant higher education sector to support our economic and personal futures. Leigh’s research has spanned the transition to university, the transition to professional work and the investigation of key concepts in disciplines.?

Yvonne Breyer is the Director of Learning and Teaching at the Faculty of Business and Economics at Macquarie University in Australia. She has extensive expertise in online technologies and a research background in applied linguistics. She mentors fellow academics in professional development and learning and teaching (particularly in assessment and feedback, and integrating technologies into learning and teaching). Yvonne has been involved and led a number of research projects in learning and teaching, and publishes in the areas of teaching, retention and success in higher education.