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Prof Sally Smith's Outputs (75)

Apprentices' longitudinal perspectives of the tripartite collaboration at the heart of degree apprenticeships (2022)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Taylor-Smith, E., Smith, S., & Fabian, K. (2022, September). Apprentices' longitudinal perspectives of the tripartite collaboration at the heart of degree apprenticeships. Paper presented at Organisational Learning, Knowledge and Capabilities, OLKC 2022, Trollhättan, Sweden

Purpose: In degree apprenticeships, the tripartite collaboration between the apprentice, the employer, and the university is key to success. As the apprentices are at the centre of the degree, their lived experience and reflections are essential to... Read More about Apprentices' longitudinal perspectives of the tripartite collaboration at the heart of degree apprenticeships.

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.

Participant-centred planning framework for effective gender balance activities in tech (2022)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Taylor-Smith, E., Barnett, C., Smith, S., Barr, M., & Shankland, C. (2022, September). Participant-centred planning framework for effective gender balance activities in tech. Presented at The United Kingdom and Ireland Computing Education Research (UKICER) conference from the UK ACM Special Interest Group in Computing Science Education Chapter (UKICER 2022), Mountmellick, Ireland

The gender imbalance in the tech industry [21], mirrored in computing education [13], is problematic in terms of providing appropriate products and services for the whole population. This lack of diversity and inclusion is also self-perpetuating thro... Read More about Participant-centred planning framework for effective gender balance activities in tech.

An exploration of academic identity through the COVID-19 pandemic (2022)
Journal Article
Smith, S., Plum, K., Taylor-Smith, E., & Fabian, K. (2022). An exploration of academic identity through the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Further and Higher Education, 46(9), 1290-1303. https://doi.org/10.1080/0309877X.2022.2072194

The COVID-19 global pandemic precipitated migration to online learning and teaching for students and universities. This study explored the change in self-identification in an academic role through the significant disruption caused by the urgent migra... Read More about An exploration of academic identity through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Identifying factors influencing study skills engagement and participation for online learners in higher education during Covid-19 (2022)
Journal Article
Fabian, K., Smith, S., Taylor-Smith, E., & Meharg, D. (2022). Identifying factors influencing study skills engagement and participation for online learners in higher education during Covid-19. British Journal of Educational Technology, 53(6), 1915-1936. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjet.13221

The Covid-19 pandemic disrupted education across the world as campuses closed to restrict the spread of the virus. UK universities swiftly migrated to online delivery. The experiences of students and staff during this transition can inform our return... Read More about Identifying factors influencing study skills engagement and participation for online learners in higher education during Covid-19.

How are we positioning degree apprenticeships? Analysis of adverts (2021)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Fabian, K., Taylor-Smith, E., & Smith, S. (2021). How are we positioning degree apprenticeships? Analysis of adverts. In SRHE International Conference on Research into Higher Education

Degree apprentices are recruited by employers, rather than universities, reflecting their status as paid employees, first and foremost. This study analysed job adverts for IT degree apprenticeship roles to investigate the: skills, attributes, and qua... Read More about How are we positioning degree apprenticeships? Analysis of adverts.

Computing students' attitudes to environmental sustainability education (2021)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Smith, S., Egan, C., & Plum, K. (2021, June). Computing students' attitudes to environmental sustainability education. Paper presented at Horizons in STEM Higher Education, Online

Students have voiced concerns that their university courses do not equip them with sufficient information to understand the challenges of environmental sustainability. Although some universities (notably UWE and Keele, among others) have made signifi... Read More about Computing students' attitudes to environmental sustainability education.

A multi-institutional exploration of the social mobility potential of degree apprenticeships (2021)
Journal Article
Smith, S., Taylor-Smith, E., Fabian, K., Zarb, M., Paterson, J., Barr, M., & Berg, T. (2021). A multi-institutional exploration of the social mobility potential of degree apprenticeships. Journal of Education and Work, 34(4), 488-503. https://doi.org/10.1080/13639080.2021.1946494

This mixed-method study at six universities asked degree apprentices about their trajectories into the apprenticeship, to better understand the social mobility potential of apprenticeships. The degree apprenticeship offers a route to a degree for app... Read More about A multi-institutional exploration of the social mobility potential of degree apprenticeships.

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.

An exploration of degree apprentice perspectives: A Q methodology study (2021)
Journal Article
Fabian, K., Taylor-Smith, E., Smith, S., Meharg, D., & Varey, A. (2022). An exploration of degree apprentice perspectives: A Q methodology study. Studies in Higher Education, 47(7), 1397-1409. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2021.1897094

Degree apprenticeships have recently been introduced in the UK, representing a significant shift in approaches to degree-level study: from traditional models of higher education to workplaces as locations for learning. As the model matures it is impo... Read More about An exploration of degree apprentice perspectives: A Q methodology study.

The Effects of UTAUT and Usability Qualities on Students’ Use of Learning Management Systems in Saudi Tertiary Education (2020)
Journal Article
Alshehri, A., Rutter, M. J., & Smith, S. (2020). The Effects of UTAUT and Usability Qualities on Students’ Use of Learning Management Systems in Saudi Tertiary Education. Journal of Information Technology Education, 19, 891-930. https://doi.org/10.28945/4659

Aim/Purpose
This study proposes a theoretical framework that amalgamates Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) variables with usability metrics to investigate the impact on students’ intention and use of the Learning Management... Read More about The Effects of UTAUT and Usability Qualities on Students’ Use of Learning Management Systems in Saudi Tertiary Education.

Computing degree apprenticeships: An opportunity to address gender imbalance in the IT sector? (2020)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Smith, S., Taylor-Smith, E., Fabian, K., Barr, M., Berg, T., Cutting, D., Paterson, J., Young, T., & Zarb, M. (2020, October). Computing degree apprenticeships: An opportunity to address gender imbalance in the IT sector?. Presented at Frontiers in Education, Upsala, Sweden

This paper explores the potential for new work-based apprenticeship degrees to encourage more women into computing degrees and the IT sector. In the UK, women are currently under-represented on computing courses. Meanwhile the IT industry requires mo... Read More about Computing degree apprenticeships: An opportunity to address gender imbalance in the IT sector?.

An Exploration of the Professional and Leader Identity of IT Professionals Transitioning to a Permanent Hybrid Role: A Longitudinal Investigation (2020)
Journal Article
Smith, S., Garavan, T., Munro, A., Ramsay, E., Smith, C., & Varey, A. (2021). An Exploration of the Professional and Leader Identity of IT Professionals Transitioning to a Permanent Hybrid Role: A Longitudinal Investigation. Information Technology and People, 34(2), 789-811. https://doi.org/10.1108/ITP-02-2019-0084

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to explore the role of professional and leader identity and the maintenance of identity, through identity work as IT professionals transitioned to a permanent hybrid role. This study therefore contributes to the... Read More about An Exploration of the Professional and Leader Identity of IT Professionals Transitioning to a Permanent Hybrid Role: A Longitudinal Investigation.

The moderating effect of gender and age on the students’ acceptance of learning management systems in Saudi higher education (2020)
Journal Article
Binyamin, S. S., Rutter, M. J., & Smith, S. (2020). The moderating effect of gender and age on the students’ acceptance of learning management systems in Saudi higher education. Knowledge Management and E-Learning: An International Journal, 12(1), 30-62

Despite the widespread adoption of learning management systems (LMS) by universities worldwide, it has been found that the students’ use of them is not always optimal. Based on the technology acceptance model (TAM), this quantitative research aims to... Read More about The moderating effect of gender and age on the students’ acceptance of learning management systems in Saudi higher education.

Degree apprenticeships - a win-win model? A comparison of policy aims with the expectations and experiences of apprentices (2020)
Journal Article
Smith, S., Caddell, M., Taylor-Smith, E., Smith, C., & Varey, A. (2022). Degree apprenticeships - a win-win model? A comparison of policy aims with the expectations and experiences of apprentices. Journal of Vocational Education and Training, 73(4), 505-525. https://doi.org/10.1080/13636820.2020.1744690

This article compares policy aims with experiences following the introduction of a new model for STEM apprenticeships in the UK. Degree apprentices work while studying for a degree, undertaking work-based learning and attending on-campus classes. Spe... Read More about Degree apprenticeships - a win-win model? A comparison of policy aims with the expectations and experiences of apprentices.

Extending the Technology Acceptance Model to Understand Students’ Use of Learning Management Systems in Saudi Higher Education (2019)
Journal Article
Binyamin, S., Rutter, M., & Smith, S. (2019). Extending the Technology Acceptance Model to Understand Students’ Use of Learning Management Systems in Saudi Higher Education. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning, 14(3), 4-21. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v14i03.9732

Although learning management systems (LMS) have been widely adopted by higher educational institutions in many countries, they are considered an emerging technology in Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, research has demonstrated that the students’ use of the... Read More about Extending the Technology Acceptance Model to Understand Students’ Use of Learning Management Systems in Saudi Higher Education.

An Implementation of the UTAUT Model for Understanding Students’ Perceptions of Learning Management Systems: A Study Within Tertiary Institutions in Saudi Arabia (2019)
Journal Article
Alshehri, A., Rutter, M. J., & Smith, S. (2019). An Implementation of the UTAUT Model for Understanding Students’ Perceptions of Learning Management Systems: A Study Within Tertiary Institutions in Saudi Arabia. International Journal of Distance Education Technologies, 17(3), 1-24. https://doi.org/10.4018/IJDET.2019070101

The rapid growth of e-learning around the globe is inspiring various academic institutions to adopt it. Uptake is motivated by convincing benefits such as flexibility, accessibility and the management of course delivery and educational materials. In... Read More about An Implementation of the UTAUT Model for Understanding Students’ Perceptions of Learning Management Systems: A Study Within Tertiary Institutions in Saudi Arabia.

Entrepreneurial drivers, barriers and enablers of computing students: gendered perspectives from an Australian and UK university (2019)
Journal Article
Smith, S., Hamilton, M., & Fabian, K. (2019). Entrepreneurial drivers, barriers and enablers of computing students: gendered perspectives from an Australian and UK university. Studies in Higher Education, https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2019.1637840

This paper investigates computing students’ entrepreneurial intentions, motivations, recognisable barriers and encouragements towards entrepreneurship, with a focus on gender. Two universities, one in Australia and one in the UK (n=247), were used as... Read More about Entrepreneurial drivers, barriers and enablers of computing students: gendered perspectives from an Australian and UK university.

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, July). Bridging the Digital Skills Gap: Are computing degree apprenticeships the answer?. Presented at Innovation & Technology in Computer Science Education (ITiCSE’19), Aberdeen, Scotland

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?.

Identity and belonging for graduate apprenticeships in computing: the experience of first cohort degree apprentices in Scotland (2019)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Taylor-Smith, E., Smith, S., & Smith, C. (2019, July). Identity and belonging for graduate apprenticeships in computing: the experience of first cohort degree apprentices in Scotland. Presented at Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education (ITiCSE), Aberdeen

In September 2017, our university’s first graduate apprentices began degrees in Software Development, Cybersecurity, and Information Technology Management for Business. This study explores how apprentices experience their association with the univers... Read More about Identity and belonging for graduate apprenticeships in computing: the experience of first cohort degree apprentices in Scotland.

Getting in, getting on: fragility in student and graduate identity (2019)
Journal Article
Smith, S., Sobolewska, E., & Hunter, D. (2019). Getting in, getting on: fragility in student and graduate identity. Higher Education Research and Development, 38(5), 1046-1060. https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2019.1612857

Over a period of three years this longitudinal study explored new approaches to consider student identity during the transition from university to employment. Students were followed through a new portfolio-based final year course and beyond universit... Read More about Getting in, getting on: fragility in student and graduate identity.

Exploring women's motivations to study computer science (2019)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Smith, S., Sobolewska, E., Bhardwaj, J., & Fabian, K. (2019). Exploring women's motivations to study computer science. In Proceedings of the Frontiers in Education 2018 Conference. https://doi.org/10.1109/FIE.2018.8658768

This paper presents a study exploring women's decisions, influencers and early experiences of computing to better understand how women's motivations and prior experience affect their decision to study computer science (CS). The emergence of a gender... Read More about Exploring women's motivations to study computer science.

The Moderating Effect of Education and Experience on Students’ Use of Learning Management Systems in Saudi Higher Education (2019)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Binyamin, S., Rutter, M. J., & Smith, S. (2019). The Moderating Effect of Education and Experience on Students’ Use of Learning Management Systems in Saudi Higher Education. . https://doi.org/10.1145/3318396.3318428

Based on the technology acceptance model, this research investigated the variables that affect students’ use of LMS in Saudi public universities. The study also examined the moderating impact of education and experience on the students’ behavior towa... Read More about The Moderating Effect of Education and Experience on Students’ Use of Learning Management Systems in Saudi Higher Education.

Equality of opportunity for work experience? Computing students at two UK universities “play the game” (2019)
Journal Article
Smith, S., Taylor-Smith, E., Bacon, L., & Mackinnon, L. (2019). Equality of opportunity for work experience? Computing students at two UK universities “play the game”. British Journal of Sociology of Education, 40(3), 324-339. https://doi.org/10.1080/01425692.2018.1489219

A recent UK Government commissioned study found concerning levels of unemployment among computing students from disadvantaged, black and minority ethnic backgrounds. The study highlighted that work experience was a factor in increased levels of gradu... Read More about Equality of opportunity for work experience? Computing students at two UK universities “play the game”.

The impact of work placement on graduate employment in computing: outcomes from a UK-based study (2018)
Journal Article
Smith, S., Taylor-Smith, E., Smith, C., & Webster, G. (2018). The impact of work placement on graduate employment in computing: outcomes from a UK-based study. International Journal of Work-Integrated Learning, 19(4), 359-369

This study followed recent computing graduates into the workplace and explored their undergraduate experiences of work placements and subsequent impact on graduate employment. Whilst studying at one of 14 Scottish universities, participants (n=99) ha... Read More about The impact of work placement on graduate employment in computing: outcomes from a UK-based study.

Graduate apprenticeships are great opportunities for individuals, but are they inclusive? (2018)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Taylor-Smith, E., Smith, S., & Varey, A. (2018, December). Graduate apprenticeships are great opportunities for individuals, but are they inclusive?. Paper presented at Society for Research into Higher Education (SRHE) Annual Conference, Newport, Wales

Higher education-level apprenticeships can provide routes to university degrees for people without the financial resources for traditional degrees. In Scotland, the first cohorts of graduate apprentices began their studies in 2017, including cohorts... Read More about Graduate apprenticeships are great opportunities for individuals, but are they inclusive?.

The Influence of Computer Self-efficacy and Subjective Norms on the Students’ Use of Learning Management Systems at King Abdulaziz University (2018)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Binyamin, S. S., Rutter, M. J., & Smith, S. (2018, March). The Influence of Computer Self-efficacy and Subjective Norms on the Students’ Use of Learning Management Systems at King Abdulaziz University. Presented at 7th International Conference on Educational and Information Technology 2018, Oxford University, UK

Technology acceptance model (TAM) has been a standout amongst the most well-known models in understanding the users’ acceptance of technologies. This study develops a model to predict the factors that influence the use of learning management systems... Read More about The Influence of Computer Self-efficacy and Subjective Norms on the Students’ Use of Learning Management Systems at King Abdulaziz University.

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.

From work-integrated learning to learning-integrated work: motivations and apprehensions of Graduate Apprentices (2018)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Smith, S., Taylor-Smith, E., Smith, C., & Varey, A. (2018, June). From work-integrated learning to learning-integrated work: motivations and apprehensions of Graduate Apprentices. Presented at 3rd International Research Symposium on Cooperative and Work-Integrated Education (WACE), Stuttgart, Germany

Graduate Apprenticeship (GA) degrees bring new collaborations between universities and employers and new opportunities for apprentices—to gain a university degree, while also being in formal employment. In 2017, Scotland introduced funding for GAs: s... Read More about From work-integrated learning to learning-integrated work: motivations and apprehensions of Graduate Apprentices.

Placement or practicalities? Barriers and disincentives to work experience, as reported by computing students (2017)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Taylor-Smith, E., Smith, S., & Smith, C. (2017, December). Placement or practicalities? Barriers and disincentives to work experience, as reported by computing students. Paper presented at Society for Research Into Higher Education (SRHE) Annual Conference

Having relevant work experience, such as a placement or internship, is valued by employers in the technology sector and can improve employment outcomes for computing graduates (Shadbolt 2016). However, gaining good work experience positions is compet... Read More about Placement or practicalities? Barriers and disincentives to work experience, as reported by computing students.

Developing entrepreneurial capabilities for the global labour market: A cross national study of IT students in the UK and Australia (2017)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Hamilton, M., Gribble, C., & Smith, S. (2017, December). Developing entrepreneurial capabilities for the global labour market: A cross national study of IT students in the UK and Australia. Paper presented at Society for Research in Higher Education SRHE

In Australia and the UK there is growing emphasis on ‘entrepreneurship’ in response to challenging economic circumstances. The current focus on developing ‘entrepreneurial’ capabilities in graduates is largely driven by stakeholder and societal desir... Read More about Developing entrepreneurial capabilities for the global labour market: A cross national study of IT students in the UK and Australia.

Towards graduate employment: exploring student identity through a university-wide employability project (2017)
Journal Article
Smith, S., Smith, C., Taylor-Smith, E., & Fotheringham, J. (2019). Towards graduate employment: exploring student identity through a university-wide employability project. Journal of Further and Higher Education, 43(5), 628-640. https://doi.org/10.1080/0309877x.2017.1390077

Students have expectations of their university education leading to graduate careers, with universities investing considerable resources in institution-wide initiatives designed to enhance opportunities for student work placements and work-related le... Read More about Towards graduate employment: exploring student identity through a university-wide employability project.

Taking education for granted: the role of placement in computing science (2017)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Smith, S., Smith, C., Taylor-Smith, E., & Gemma, W. (2017, June). Taking education for granted: the role of placement in computing science. Presented at Horizons in STEM Higher Education Conference

The importance of placements and internships was highlighted in the 2016 Shadbolt Review of Computer Science Degree Accreditation and Graduate Employability – indeed the second recommendation of the review was to extend and promote work experience .... Read More about Taking education for granted: the role of placement in computing science.

Rich Pictures of the Future (2017)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Smith, S., Smith, C., Berg, T., & Bowen, T. (2017, June). Rich Pictures of the Future. Presented at Horizons in STEM Higher Education Conference

The acceleration of technological innovation means that higher education must prepare students for an unknown future like never before, and help them see their position in relation to an increasingly globalised economy. Transition from university int... Read More about Rich Pictures of the Future.

Factors Influencing the Students’ Use of Learning Management Systems: A Case Study of King Abdulaziz University (2017)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Binyamin, S., Rutter, M. J., & Smith, S. (2017, June). Factors Influencing the Students’ Use of Learning Management Systems: A Case Study of King Abdulaziz University. Presented at 12th International Conference on e-Learning (ICEL 2017), Orlando, FL (USA)

The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) has been one of the most popular models in explaining the acceptance of technologies and employed empirically in various studies. This study was conducted with the objective of investigating the acceptance and us... Read More about Factors Influencing the Students’ Use of Learning Management Systems: A Case Study of King Abdulaziz University.

Visualising the future: surfacing student perspectives on post-graduation prospects using rich pictures (2017)
Journal Article
Berg, T., Bowen, T., Smith, C., & Smith, S. (2017). Visualising the future: surfacing student perspectives on post-graduation prospects using rich pictures. Higher Education Research and Development, 36(7), 1339-1354. https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2017.1325855

The gradual commodification of higher education in the context of an increased focus on graduate employability attributes together with evolving labour markets is creating challenges for universities and students alike. For universities, there has be... Read More about Visualising the future: surfacing student perspectives on post-graduation prospects using rich pictures.

The students' acceptance of learning management systems in Saudi Arabia: A case study of King Abdulaziz University (2017)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Binyamin, S., Rutter, M., & Smith, S. (2017). The students' acceptance of learning management systems in Saudi Arabia: A case study of King Abdulaziz University. In INTED2017 Proceedings (9324-9333). https://doi.org/10.21125/inted.2017.2205

The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) has become one of the most widely-used models in understanding user acceptance of technologies and has been employed in many empirical studies. However, TAM has barely been used within the context of Saudi Arabia... Read More about The students' acceptance of learning management systems in Saudi Arabia: A case study of King Abdulaziz University.

An implementation of the extended technology acceptance model for understanding students' perceptions of learning management systems: a study within tertiary institutions in Saudia Arabia (2017)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Rutter, M. J., Alshehri, A., & Smith, S. (2017, March). An implementation of the extended technology acceptance model for understanding students' perceptions of learning management systems: a study within tertiary institutions in Saudia Arabia. Poster presented at 11th annual International Technology, Education and Development Conference

The rapid evolution of e-learning around the world is inspiring many educational and business institutions to adopt it. E-learning is motivated by compelling advantages such as geographical reach, flexibility and cost effectiveness in course delivery... Read More about An implementation of the extended technology acceptance model for understanding students' perceptions of learning management systems: a study within tertiary institutions in Saudia Arabia.

In search of graduate employability: An exploration of student identity (2017)
Journal Article
Smith, S., Smith, C., Taylor-Smith, E., & Fotheringham, J. (2017). In search of graduate employability: An exploration of student identity. Asia-Pacific Journal of Cooperative Education, 18(1), 15-24

Universities are adopting institution-wide projects to increase student work placements and work-related learning across all subject disciplines. However, there are large variations between programs in uptake, with limited evidence explaining why thi... Read More about In search of graduate employability: An exploration of student identity.

An exploration of professional identity in the information technology sector (2016)
Thesis
Smith, S. An exploration of professional identity in the information technology sector. (Thesis). Edinburgh Napier University. http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/id/eprint/9731

At present the Information Technology profession appears to be dogged by high profile project failure, high graduate unemployment rates, employers unable to recruit suitable staff and a professional body under attack. It is not even clear that IT can... Read More about An exploration of professional identity in the information technology sector.

Supporting student transitions to placement and work: developing a new self-identity (2016)
Journal Article
Webster, G., Smith, S., & Smith, C. (2016). Supporting student transitions to placement and work: developing a new self-identity. New Directions in the Teaching of Physical Sciences, 11(1),

Moves towards the marketisation of higher education together with concerns over the challenges of graduate employment have led to an increased prioritisation of students undertaking relevant work experience while they study. Recognising a strong stud... Read More about Supporting student transitions to placement and work: developing a new self-identity.

Learning for the Workplace: Exploring professional identity in search of meaningful alternatives to student work placement (2016)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Webster, G., Smith, S., & Smith, C. (2016, December). Learning for the Workplace: Exploring professional identity in search of meaningful alternatives to student work placement. Paper presented at Society for Research into Higher Education 2016

Moves towards the marketisation of higher education have led to greater priority being placed upon students undertaking relevant work experience while they study. Recognising a strong demand for placements, the e-Placement Scotland project set out to... Read More about Learning for the Workplace: Exploring professional identity in search of meaningful alternatives to student work placement.

The utilization of system usability scale in learning management systems: a case study of Jeddah Community College (2016)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Binyamin, S., Rutter, M., & Smith, S. (2016). The utilization of system usability scale in learning management systems: a case study of Jeddah Community College. In ICERI2016 Proceedings (5314-5323). https://doi.org/10.21125/iceri.2016.2290

Learning Management Systems (LMS) have been widely adopted in many higher educational institutions to support teaching and learning activities. The study was conducted with the aim of investigating the usability of the learning management system (Bla... Read More about The utilization of system usability scale in learning management systems: a case study of Jeddah Community College.

From Interest to Decision: A Comparative Exploration of Student Attitudes and Pathways to Co-op Programs in the United States and the United Kingdom (2016)
Journal Article
Ramirez, N., Smith, S., Smith, C. F., Berg, T., Strubel, B., Ohland, M., & Main, J. (2016). From Interest to Decision: A Comparative Exploration of Student Attitudes and Pathways to Co-op Programs in the United States and the United Kingdom. International Journal of Engineering Education, 32(5A), 1867-1878

Cooperative education programs (co-op) play a vital role in developing engineering and computing students’ applied technological skills and professional self-confidence. Nevertheless, not all students choose to participate in co-ops. Through empirica... Read More about From Interest to Decision: A Comparative Exploration of Student Attitudes and Pathways to Co-op Programs in the United States and the United Kingdom.

Evaluating the Usability of Learning Management Systems from Students' Perception: A Case Study of King Abdulaziz University (2016)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Binyamin, S., Smith, S., & Rutter, M. (2016). Evaluating the Usability of Learning Management Systems from Students' Perception: A Case Study of King Abdulaziz University. In 15th European Conference on eLearning (ECEL 2016) (112-113)

Due to the rapid improvement in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), adopting technologies has become a major focus of interest in the field of education. The integration between ICT and education has introduced various positives and advan... Read More about Evaluating the Usability of Learning Management Systems from Students' Perception: A Case Study of King Abdulaziz University.

Matching and mismatch: understanding employer expectations of work placement applicants (2016)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Smith, C., & Smith, S. (2016, September). Matching and mismatch: understanding employer expectations of work placement applicants. Paper presented at ACEN

The success and sustainability of work-integrated learning (WIL) is an abiding concern for universities, as institutions seek to mainstream WIL within academic programmes. A supply of placement opportunities, and students successfully being appointe... Read More about Matching and mismatch: understanding employer expectations of work placement applicants.

Exploring student identity through a university-wide graduate employability initiative (2016)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Smith, S., Smith, C., Taylor-Smith, E., Fotheringham, J., & Dencer-Brown, I. (2016, June). Exploring student identity through a university-wide graduate employability initiative. Paper presented at WACE International Research Symposium

Universities are adopting institution-wide projects designed to enhance opportunities for student work placements and work-related learning across all subject disciplines, as inclusion and graduate employability are increasingly expressed as universi... Read More about Exploring student identity through a university-wide graduate employability initiative.

Exploring student identity and transition through portfolio development (2016)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Sobolewska, E., Smith, S., & Hunter, D. (2016, June). Exploring student identity and transition through portfolio development. Paper presented at AAEEBL/CRA Understanding the essence(s) of portfolio-based learning

No abstract available.

Strategic positioning of IT business Incubators within Universities - a comparative study of the United Kingdom and India. (2015)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Smith, S., Kannabiran, G., & Laing, S. (2015, November). Strategic positioning of IT business Incubators within Universities - a comparative study of the United Kingdom and India. Paper presented at Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship

Advances in Information Technology (IT) offers various innovation opportunities. Incubation of IT innovation, with a focus on promoting entrepreneurship, has been a strategic priority of many leading universities across the world. Incubation of IT in... Read More about Strategic positioning of IT business Incubators within Universities - a comparative study of the United Kingdom and India..

Making co-op work: An exploration of student attitudes to co-op programs (2015)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Smith, S., Berg, T., & Smith, C. (2015). Making co-op work: An exploration of student attitudes to co-op programs. In Frontiers in Education Conference (FIE), 2015. 32614 2015. IEEE (1-6). https://doi.org/10.1109/fie.2015.7344173

Engineering and computing at university both have a long tradition of co-operative education which plays a vital role in developing students' applied skills and giving confidence to both students and potential employers. Co-op education refers to rel... Read More about Making co-op work: An exploration of student attitudes to co-op programs.

The future of professionalising informatics: a university education perspective. (2015)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Smith, S., & Phillips, I. (2015, October). The future of professionalising informatics: a university education perspective. Paper presented at 11th European Computer Science Summit

In March 2015, the Shadbolt Review group was established in the UK to review course accreditation of computer science university courses. The Council of Professors and Heads of Computing is represented on the review group alongside industry, funding... Read More about The future of professionalising informatics: a university education perspective..

Women in ICT: exploring professional Identity on an executive masters program (2015)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Smith, S., Smith, C. F., & Varey, A. (2015, October). Women in ICT: exploring professional Identity on an executive masters program. Paper presented at 6th Annual Conference on Computer Science Education: Innovation and Technology (CSEIT 2015), Singapore

Despite years of purposeful activity there is still a shortfall in the numbers of women enrolling onto computing courses in the UK and elsewhere, while many who join the profession then leave. This ‘leaky-pipeline’ phenomenon is a concern for employe... Read More about Women in ICT: exploring professional Identity on an executive masters program.

Making co-op work for you: a comparative exploration of student attitudes to co-op programs in the United States and the United Kingdom (2015)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Ramirez, N., Smith, S., Smith, C., Berg, T., Strubel, B., Ohland, M., & Main, J. (2015, August). Making co-op work for you: a comparative exploration of student attitudes to co-op programs in the United States and the United Kingdom. Paper presented at World Conference on Co-op and Work Integrated Learning (WACE 19th), Kyoto Sangyo University, Kyoto, Japan

University engineering and computing courses have a long tradition of co-operative education that plays a vital role in developing students' applied skills and giving confidence to students and potential employers. Nevertheless, not all students choo... Read More about Making co-op work for you: a comparative exploration of student attitudes to co-op programs in the United States and the United Kingdom.

Supporting student transitions to placement: developing a new self-identity. (2015)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Smith, S., & Smith, C. F. (2015). Supporting student transitions to placement: developing a new self-identity. In QAA Enhancement Theme

Employer expectations of graduates, as evidenced by the job descriptions of graduate vacancies, often include relevant work experience; however meeting student demand for placements remains a challenge for universities. In practice there is generally... Read More about Supporting student transitions to placement: developing a new self-identity..

Can pay, should pay? Exploring employer and student perceptions of paid and unpaid placements (2015)
Journal Article
Smith, S., Smith, C., & Caddell, M. (2015). Can pay, should pay? Exploring employer and student perceptions of paid and unpaid placements. Active learning in higher education, 16(2), 149-164. https://doi.org/10.1177/1469787415574049

Students can benefit from applying their emerging skillsets through a work placement, both in terms of consolidating their learning and in gaining a better appreciation of their subject area. However, the main motivation for students in completing a... Read More about Can pay, should pay? Exploring employer and student perceptions of paid and unpaid placements.

From employability attributes to professional identity: students transitioning to the workplace. (2014)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Smith, S., Sobolewska, E., & Smith, I. (2014). From employability attributes to professional identity: students transitioning to the workplace. In 2014 IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference Proceedings (1197-1204)

In order to realize the employment ambitions of graduates we can work with students to facilitate the construction of their identity as members of a global engineering profession. Of particular interest is whether (and, if so, how) students reconstru... Read More about From employability attributes to professional identity: students transitioning to the workplace..

A Software Engineering Framework for Context-Aware Service-Based Processes in Pervasive Environments (2014)
Book Chapter
Jaroucheh, Z., Liu, X., & Smith, S. (2014). A Software Engineering Framework for Context-Aware Service-Based Processes in Pervasive Environments. In Software Design and Development (71-95). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-4666-4301-7.ch005

Context-awareness is considered to be the cornerstone technique for developing pervasive computing applications that are flexible, adaptable, and capable of acting autonomously on behalf of the user. However, context-awareness introduces various soft... Read More about A Software Engineering Framework for Context-Aware Service-Based Processes in Pervasive Environments.

Computer Science: Driving Entrepreneurship. (2014)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Smith, S. (2014, October). Computer Science: Driving Entrepreneurship. Paper presented at 10th European Computer Science Summit

No abstract available.

What’s in it for me? Making the case for paid student placements in computer science. (2014)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Smith, S., & Smith, C. F. (2014, July). What’s in it for me? Making the case for paid student placements in computer science. Paper presented at STEM 2014

Recognising the need for skilled computer science graduates, the university funding body in Scotland, the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) is supporting a Scotland-wide student placement project, e-Placement Scotland, to create 750 new paid student pla... Read More about What’s in it for me? Making the case for paid student placements in computer science..

Can pay, should pay? Exploring paid and unpaid work opportunities from employer and student perspectives. (2013)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Caddell, M., McIlwhan, R., Irving, C., Smith, C. F., & Smith, S. (2013). Can pay, should pay? Exploring paid and unpaid work opportunities from employer and student perspectives.

Within current university-focused discussions around how to enhance and support student employability, considerable emphasis has been placed on gaining work experience, either through volunteering or via work placements and internships. There is grow... Read More about Can pay, should pay? Exploring paid and unpaid work opportunities from employer and student perspectives..

Can pay, should pay? Comparing employer and student outcomes of paid and unpaid work opportunities. (2013)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Smith, C. F., Smith, S., & Irving, C. (2013, April). Can pay, should pay? Comparing employer and student outcomes of paid and unpaid work opportunities. Presented at 2013 STEM Annual Conference

This paper looks across and beyond this project to examine the range of placement and work experience forms currently experienced by computing students, and asks the question – are all of these opportunities equal? Or more specifically, are the benef... Read More about Can pay, should pay? Comparing employer and student outcomes of paid and unpaid work opportunities..

Building Employer Partnerships: a regional placement perspective. (2013)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Smith, S., & Smith, C. F. (2013, July). Building Employer Partnerships: a regional placement perspective. Paper presented at HEA Annual Conference

The case for paid placements as transformational for students has been made; indeed the Wilson report (A Review of Business- University Collaboration, http://www.gov.uk) exhorts all universities to consider offering placements on their degrees, in re... Read More about Building Employer Partnerships: a regional placement perspective..

Jabber-based cross-domain efficient and privacy-ensuring context management framework. (2013)
Journal Article
Jaroucheh, Z., Liu, X., & Smith, S. (2013). Jabber-based cross-domain efficient and privacy-ensuring context management framework. International Journal of Advanced Computer Science and Applications, 4, 84

In pervasive environments, context-aware applications require a global knowledge of the context information distributed in different spatial domains in order to establish context-based interactions. Therefore, the design of distributed storage, retri... Read More about Jabber-based cross-domain efficient and privacy-ensuring context management framework..

Can Pay, Should Pay? Comparing employer and student outcomes of paid and unpaid work opportunities (2013)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Smith, C. F., Smith, S., & Irving, C. (2013, April). Can Pay, Should Pay? Comparing employer and student outcomes of paid and unpaid work opportunities. Paper presented at HEA STEM Conference

In a time of high youth unemployment, when relevant work experience is often cited as the most important factor in finding a graduate job, computing students are being advised to pursue work placements or other work experience during their studies to... Read More about Can Pay, Should Pay? Comparing employer and student outcomes of paid and unpaid work opportunities.

From Skills Development to Skills Use and Articulation: Insights from the Interface Between University and Work. (2012)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Caddell, M., Smith, S., & Boyle, F. (2012, March). From Skills Development to Skills Use and Articulation: Insights from the Interface Between University and Work. Paper presented at QAA Enhancement Themes

Much work has been dedicated to how universities define graduate attributes and how they can help their students develop these academic abilities, personal qualities and skills. But how do our students actually use and articulate those skills when th... Read More about From Skills Development to Skills Use and Articulation: Insights from the Interface Between University and Work..

Lightweight Software Product Line Based Privacy Protection Scheme for Pervasive Applications (2011)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Jaroucheh, Z., Liu, X., Smith, S., & Zhao, H. (2011, July). Lightweight Software Product Line Based Privacy Protection Scheme for Pervasive Applications. Presented at 2011 IEEE 35th Annual Computer Software and Applications Conference Workshops

Protecting user's privacy is one of the main concerns for the deployment of pervasive computing systems in the real world. In pervasive environments, the user context information is naturally distributed among different spatial or logical domains. Ma... Read More about Lightweight Software Product Line Based Privacy Protection Scheme for Pervasive Applications.

An approach to domain-based scalable context management architecture in pervasive environments (2011)
Journal Article
Jaroucheh, Z., Liu, X., & Smith, S. (2012). An approach to domain-based scalable context management architecture in pervasive environments. Personal and Ubiquitous Computing, 16(6), 741-755. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00779-011-0422-0

In pervasive environments, context management systems are expected to administrate large volume of contextual information that is captured from spatial to nonspatial elements. Research in context-aware computing produced a number of middleware system... Read More about An approach to domain-based scalable context management architecture in pervasive environments.

Recognize contextual situation in pervasive environments using process mining techniques (2010)
Journal Article
Jaroucheh, Z., Liu, X., & Smith, S. (2011). Recognize contextual situation in pervasive environments using process mining techniques. Journal of Ambient Intelligence and Humanized Computing, 2(1), 53-69. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12652-010-0038-7

Research in pervasive computing and ambience intelligence aims to enable users to interact with the environment in a context-aware way. To achieve this, a complex set of features describing different aspects of the environment has to be captured and... Read More about Recognize contextual situation in pervasive environments using process mining techniques.

Mapping Features to Context Information: Supporting Context Variability for Context-Aware Pervasive Applications (2010)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Jaroucheh, Z., Liu, X., & Smith, S. (2010, August). Mapping Features to Context Information: Supporting Context Variability for Context-Aware Pervasive Applications. Presented at 2010 IEEE/WIC/ACM International Conference on Web Intelligence and Intelligent Agent Technology

Context-aware computing is widely accepted as a promising paradigm to enable seamless computing. Several middlewares and ontology-based models for describing context information have been developed in order to support context-aware applications. Howe... Read More about Mapping Features to Context Information: Supporting Context Variability for Context-Aware Pervasive Applications.

Apto: A MDD-Based Generic Framework for Context-Aware Deeply Adaptive Service-Based Processes (2010)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Jaroucheh, Z., Liu, X., & Smith, S. (2010, July). Apto: A MDD-Based Generic Framework for Context-Aware Deeply Adaptive Service-Based Processes. Presented at 2010 IEEE International Conference on Web Services

Context-awareness and adaptability are important and desirable properties of service-based processes designed to provide personalized services. Most of the existing approaches focus on the adaptation at the process instance level [1] which involves e... Read More about Apto: A MDD-Based Generic Framework for Context-Aware Deeply Adaptive Service-Based Processes.

CANDEL: Product Line Based Dynamic Context Management for Pervasive Applications (2010)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Jaroucheh, Z., Liu, X., & Smith, S. (2010). CANDEL: Product Line Based Dynamic Context Management for Pervasive Applications. In CICIS'10 Proceedings (209-216). https://doi.org/10.1109/cisis.2010.21

In a pervasive environment, it is essential for computing applications to be context-aware. However, one of the major challenges is the establishment of a generic and dynamic context model. Many different approaches to modeling the context exist, but... Read More about CANDEL: Product Line Based Dynamic Context Management for Pervasive Applications.

A Perspective on Middleware-Oriented Context-Aware Pervasive Systems (2009)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Jaroucheh, Z., Liu, X., & Smith, S. (2009). A Perspective on Middleware-Oriented Context-Aware Pervasive Systems. In Proceedings - International Computer Software and Applications Conference (249-254). https://doi.org/10.1109/compsac.2009.142

The evolving concepts of mobile computing, context-awareness, and ambient intelligence are increasingly influencing user's experience of services. Therefore, the goal of this paper is to provide an overview of recent developments and implementations... Read More about A Perspective on Middleware-Oriented Context-Aware Pervasive Systems.