How does a STEM Access module prepare adult learners to succeed in undergraduate science?

ABSTRACT

This article explores the impact of a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) Access module on the progression of students to undergraduate Science. Drawing on the Widening Participation (WP) literature, this research investigated the experience of adult learners from disadvantaged backgrounds taking their first steps into higher education (HE). A mixed methods institutional case study was conducted, drawing on extensive survey data and interviews with students and tutors. Key findings included: enhanced student understanding of how to use tutor support; improvement in the skills and confidence of students in relation to maths, as a result of an embedded interdisciplinary curriculum; and an uplift in student study skills. This study was undertaken in a distance learning context, addressing issues in entry-level STEM, but the conclusions are applicable to other HE settings.

KEYWORDS:

• Access
• adult learners
• STEM
• interdisciplinary Science

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

John Butcher

Dr John Butcher is Associate Director in Learning and Teaching Innovation at the Open University. Previously he held senior teaching and learning roles at Falmouth, Northampton and Derby universities. His current research interests include part-time and adult higher education, Access, and Widening Participation.

Anactoria Clarke

Dr Anactoria Clarke is Senior Manager, Curriculum Innovation (Access) at the Open University in the North West. Her research interests include the scholarship of teaching and learning, particularly with disadvantaged learners.

Carlton Wood

Dr Carlton Wood is Staff Tutor and Associate Dean (Student Experience) in the STEM faculty at the Open University. He has been an Associate Lecturer on Level 0 and 1 modules with the Open University for 25 years. Prior to joining the Open University in 2005, he was a Lecturer in plant biology at the University of Sussex.

Elaine McPherson

Dr Elaine McPherson is Staff Tutor in STEM, and chairs the Environment, Earth and Ecosystems Board of Studies at the Open University.

Wendy Fowle

Wendy Fowle is Senior Manager, Research and Evaluation (Widening Access and Success) at the Open University. She is currently undertaking a Professional Doctorate (EdD) on the language of Widening Participation.