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All Outputs (19)

Transactional distance in the context of online and blended learning (2022)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Fabian, K., Smith, S., Taylor-Smith, E., & Meharg, D. (2022, September). Transactional distance in the context of online and blended learning. Paper presented at Association for Learning Technology Annual Conference, Manchester

Moore’s (1993) transactional distance theory recognises that communications and psychological distance between learner and teacher are affected by course structure, dialogue between lecturers and students, and learner’s autonomy. These factors affect... Read More about Transactional distance in the context of online and blended learning.

COVID-19, Students and the New Educational Landscape (2022)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Siegel, A. A., Zarb, M., Anderson, E., Crane, B., Gao, A., Latulipe, C., …Meharg, D. (2022). COVID-19, Students and the New Educational Landscape. In ITiCSE '22: Proceedings of the 27th ACM Conference on on Innovation and Technology in Computer Science

Students have experienced incredible shifts in the in their learning environments, brought about by the response of universities to the ever-changing public health mandates driven by waves and stages of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). Initially,... Read More about COVID-19, Students and the New Educational Landscape.

A journey that motivates: Exploring the Associate Students Transition Framework (2021)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Meharg, D., Varey, A., & Cairncross, S. (2021). A journey that motivates: Exploring the Associate Students Transition Framework. In 2021 IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference (FIE). https://doi.org/10.1109/FIE49875.2021.9637158

This research to practice full paper presents empirical work exploring the transition experiences of transfer students into computing degrees in Scotland. Students on this journey face transitional barriers as they adapt to the change in culture, com... Read More about A journey that motivates: Exploring the Associate Students Transition Framework.

Earn as you learn: Widening participation through apprenticeships as debt-free degrees (2021)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Meharg, D., Smith, S., Taylor-Smith, E., & Khristin, F. (2021, March). Earn as you learn: Widening participation through apprenticeships as debt-free degrees. Presented at Advance HE Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Conference 2021, Online

Apprenticeship Degrees provide opportunities to study for a degree without incurring debt. Collaborations between employers and HEIs enable new or established employees to earn while they learn, with their fees paid. This facilitates people to study... Read More about Earn as you learn: Widening participation through apprenticeships as debt-free degrees.

Associate Student Project: Facilitating computing students’ transition to higher education (2021)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Taylor-Smith, E., Meharg, D., Fabian, K., & Varey, A. (2021, March). Associate Student Project: Facilitating computing students’ transition to higher education. Presented at Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Conference 2021, Online

The Associate Student (ASP) project supports Computing students who study two years at a Further Education college (achieving an HND) then transfer directly into third year, studying for two more years to complete an honours degree (BSc or BEng). Stu... Read More about Associate Student Project: Facilitating computing students’ transition to higher education.

Facilitating computing students' transition to higher education (2019)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Fabian, K., Taylor-Smith, E., Meharg, D., & Varey, A. (2019, September). Facilitating computing students' transition to higher education. Presented at 1st UK & Ireland Computing Education Research Conference (UKICER), Canterbury, United Kingdom

Students who progress to higher education from further education colleges are faced with academic, social, and logistical challenges during their transition. In general, they find university life more challenging compared to students who have been at... Read More about Facilitating computing students' transition to higher education.

Bridging the Digital Skills Gap: Are computing degree apprenticeships the answer? (2019)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Taylor-Smith, E., Smith, S., Fabian, K., Berg, T., Meharg, D., & Varey, A. (2019). Bridging the Digital Skills Gap: Are computing degree apprenticeships the answer?. In ITiCSE '19 Proceedings of the 2019 ACM Conference on Innovation and Technology in Com

This paper describes a study investigating whether apprenticeship computing degrees in Scotland are attracting additional entrants who will become IT professionals and fill a skills need. Government policy reports, from around the world, set out plan... Read More about Bridging the Digital Skills Gap: Are computing degree apprenticeships the answer?.

"So far back, I'm anonymous": Exploring Student Identity using Photovoice (2019)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Meharg, D., Cairncross, S., & Varey, A. (2019). "So far back, I'm anonymous": Exploring Student Identity using Photovoice. In 2018 IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference (FIE). https://doi.org/10.1109/FIE.2018.8658441

This Research Full paper presents empirical work focused on the transition experiences of transfer students into computing degrees in Scotland and seeks to understand the complex formation of identity from the student perspective. Drawing on [3]'s wo... Read More about "So far back, I'm anonymous": Exploring Student Identity using Photovoice.

Enhancing learning confidence for direct entry computing students (2018)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Fabian, K., Taylor-Smith, E., Meharg, D., & Varey, A. (2018, December). Enhancing learning confidence for direct entry computing students. Paper presented at The Changing Shape of Higher Education: Can excellence and inclusion cohabit?, Newport, UK

Previous studies have shown that students who transfer into university from college (direct entrants) face several challenges when they enter university. In response, the Associate Student Project supports students who enter university directly into... Read More about Enhancing learning confidence for direct entry computing students.

"We're coming from different worlds" : exploring student identity during transition (2018)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Meharg, D., Varey, A., & Cairncross, S. (2018). "We're coming from different worlds" : exploring student identity during transition. In SRHE Newer and Early Career Conference 2018 Proceedings

This study presents empirical work examining the student journey from further to higher education in computing degrees in Scotland and seeks to understand the complex formation of identity, from the student perspective, during transition. In Scotlan... Read More about "We're coming from different worlds" : exploring student identity during transition.

STEM Apprenticeship Degrees: Motivations and aspirations of apprentices (2018)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Smith, S., Taylor-Smith, E., Meharg, D., Smith, C., & Varey, A. (2018, June). STEM Apprenticeship Degrees: Motivations and aspirations of apprentices. Paper presented at Horizons in STEM Higher Education, Hull

Using the Apprenticeship Levy, England piloted Degree Apprenticeships in 2014 and Scotland followed with Graduate Apprenticeships in 2017. In Scotland, the apprenticeships are determined by employer demand for skills and delivered by universities. Gr... Read More about STEM Apprenticeship Degrees: Motivations and aspirations of apprentices.

Transitioning cohorts: A comparative study of best practice in supporting direct entrant students to make a successful transition from FE college to advanced years in university (2017)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Meharg, D., & Marr, S. (2017, July). Transitioning cohorts: A comparative study of best practice in supporting direct entrant students to make a successful transition from FE college to advanced years in university. Presented at HEA Annual Conference 2017

No abstract available.

A Comparative Study of Transitional Support: Identifying Best Practice (2017)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Marr, S., & Meharg, D. (2017). A Comparative Study of Transitional Support: Identifying Best Practice.

This study shares the findings of a comparative case study, examining support for students transitioning from further education institutes (FEIs) to advanced entry in university. This case study compares transition support in two different subject ar... Read More about A Comparative Study of Transitional Support: Identifying Best Practice.

Partnership and preparation: a new model of transition from college to university (2016)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Meharg, D., & Fotheringham, J. (2016). Partnership and preparation: a new model of transition from college to university. In Equality and diversity in learning and teaching in higher education : Papers from Equality Challenge Unit and Higher Education Ac

Widening participation in higher education continues to be a key focus for Scottish government and the 2013 Post-16 Education (Scotland) Act places obligations upon Universities to achieve progress in this regard. The Act also makes provision for Add... Read More about Partnership and preparation: a new model of transition from college to university.

Student voice and peer support during transition (2015)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Meharg, D., Tizard, J., & Varey, A. (2015, June). Student voice and peer support during transition. Paper presented at QAA Enhancement Themes, Glasgow

Despite increased investment in transition between further education and higher education during the last 10 years, direct entrants remain less likely to take an active part in class, less likely to feel part of the academic community, and also less... Read More about Student voice and peer support during transition.

Widening access through transition from college to university (2015)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Meharg, D., & Tizard, J. (2015). Widening access through transition from college to university. In Social Dimension in European Higher Education

Widening access through transition from College to University In Scotland, one strategy for increasing participation at university for people from deprived socio-economic areas is to provide academic pathways from vocational courses at college to uni... Read More about Widening access through transition from college to university.

Student beliefs as barriers to articulation (2015)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Meharg, D., & Craighill, S. (2015). Student beliefs as barriers to articulation. In 2014 IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference (FIE) Proceedings. https://doi.org/10.1109/FIE.2014.7044416

Eccles et al.’s ‘Expectancy-Value Model of Achievement Motivation’ (2000) states that ‘an individual’s choice, persistence, and performance can be explained by their beliefs about how well they will do on the activity and the extent to which they val... Read More about Student beliefs as barriers to articulation.

Belonging: Blurring the Boundaries (2014)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Meharg, D., & Craighill, S. (2014). Belonging: Blurring the Boundaries. In The European Conference on Education 2014: Official Conference Proceedings (79-90)

This paper explores Whitchurch’s (2008) notion of the ‘third space’ in the context of articulating students from Further Education to Higher Education. This research appropriates the term ‘third space’ and applies it to the emergent territory occupie... Read More about Belonging: Blurring the Boundaries.