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Outputs (34)

Putting “mobile” into mathematics: Results of a randomised controlled trial (2019)
Journal Article
Fabian, K., & Topping, K. J. (2019). Putting “mobile” into mathematics: Results of a randomised controlled trial. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 59, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cedpsych.2019.101783

There is an increasing use of mobile technologies in the classroom, particularly its use in supporting contextual learning, but comparative research on the effects of mobile learning in mathematics are few. The aim of this research was to examine stu... Read More about Putting “mobile” into mathematics: Results of a randomised controlled trial.

How are we positioning degree apprenticeships? Analysis of adverts (2021)
Conference Proceeding
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.

Students’ gendered experiences of male-dominated Computing and Engineering courses (2023)
Conference Proceeding
Taylor-Smith, E., Smith, S., & Fabian, K. (in press). Students’ gendered experiences of male-dominated Computing and Engineering courses.

How does it feel to be in a gender minority on a STEM programme? Does it have an impact on individual students? Via an online survey (n=255), undergraduate students on Computing and Engineering programmes were asked whether they felt that gender had... Read More about Students’ gendered experiences of male-dominated Computing and Engineering courses.

‘They gave me an opportunity, and I took it’: motivations and concerns of adult apprentices (2023)
Journal Article
Smith, S., Fabian, K., Taylor-Smith, E., Barr, M., Berg, T., Bratton, A., …Zarb, M. (in press). ‘They gave me an opportunity, and I took it’: motivations and concerns of adult apprentices. Journal of Vocational Education and Training, https://doi.org/10.1080/13636820.2023.2255576

In the UK context of an ageing population, degree apprenticeships represent a new opportunity to study for a degree while working. Apprentices are full-time employees granted time to study for a degree with a significant workplace learning component.... Read More about ‘They gave me an opportunity, and I took it’: motivations and concerns of adult apprentices.

Apprentices’ perspectives of the tripartite collaboration at the heart of degree apprenticeships: a longitudinal study (2023)
Journal Article
Taylor-Smith, E., Smith, S., Fabian, K., & Bratton, A. (2023). Apprentices’ perspectives of the tripartite collaboration at the heart of degree apprenticeships: a longitudinal study. Journal of Workplace Learning, 35(8), 779-795. https://doi.org/10.1108/JWL-01-2023-0007

Purpose: The partnership which underpins degree apprenticeships is a tripartite collaboration between apprentices, employers, and universities. This study investigated the lived experiences and reflections of the apprentices at the centre, to inform... Read More about Apprentices’ perspectives of the tripartite collaboration at the heart of degree apprenticeships: a longitudinal study.

‘I can’t really say as my course is 90% male’: students perceptions of gender impact on computing and engineering degrees (2023)
Presentation / Conference
Taylor-Smith, E., Smith, S., & Fabian, K. (2023, June). ‘I can’t really say as my course is 90% male’: students perceptions of gender impact on computing and engineering degrees. Paper presented at 2023 Horizons in STEM, Swansea, UK

In UK higher education, the majority of computing and engineering students are men. HESA (2023) records the proportion of women studying ‘Computing’ and ‘Engineering and technology’ as 22.78% and 20.47% respectively. Lack of women is a problem for bo... Read More about ‘I can’t really say as my course is 90% male’: students perceptions of gender impact on computing and engineering degrees.

The practice of apprenticeships as work-integrated learning (2023)
Book Chapter
Smith, S., Taylor-Smith, E., Fabian, K., & Klotz, D. (2023). The practice of apprenticeships as work-integrated learning. In K. E. Zegwaard, & T. J. Pretti (Eds.), The Routledge International Handbook of Work-Integrated Learning (207-217). (3rd Edition). Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003156420

The term ‘apprentice’ is used to describe an employee who is learning in order to fulfill a future job role, with this learning largely encompassing on-the-job training and learning by doing (Fuller & Unwin, 1998). Conventionally, apprenticeships wer... Read More about The practice of apprenticeships as work-integrated learning.

Signalling new opportunities? An analysis of UK job adverts for degree apprenticeships (2023)
Journal Article
Fabian, K., Taylor-Smith, E., Smith, S., & Bratton, A. (2023). Signalling new opportunities? An analysis of UK job adverts for degree apprenticeships. Higher Education, Skills and Work-based Learning, 13(2), 299-314. https://doi.org/10.1108/HESWBL-02-2022-0037

Purpose The purpose of this study is to gain insight into the degree apprenticeship labour market and employers' strategies for apprenticeship recruitment using job advertisement data. Specifically, this study identifies the skills, attributes, exp... Read More about Signalling new opportunities? An analysis of UK job adverts for degree apprenticeships.

Direct entrants as route guides to the higher education landscape (2022)
Conference Proceeding
Taylor-Smith, E., Meharg, D., & Fabian, K. (in press). Direct entrants as route guides to the higher education landscape. In SRHE International Conference 2022

Students who study for an HND at further education college and then join the university directly into the 3 rd year of their honours degree are a valuable segment of our academic community. This route provides opportunities for more people to gain HE... Read More about Direct entrants as route guides to the higher education landscape.

Apprentices' longitudinal perspectives of the tripartite collaboration at the heart of degree apprenticeships (2022)
Presentation / Conference
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
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.

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.

Degree Apprentices’ Lockdown Survey: Reflections on working and studying from home (2021)
Conference Proceeding
Taylor-Smith, E., & Fabian, K. (2021). Degree Apprentices’ Lockdown Survey: Reflections on working and studying from home. In SRHE International Conference on Research into Higher Education

During the first UK lockdown period, degree apprentices in two universities in Scotland were invited to complete a short qualitative survey with their reflections on starting to work and study from home. They were encouraged to complete the survey o... Read More about Degree Apprentices’ Lockdown Survey: Reflections on working and studying from home.

An Online Approach to the Associate Transition Programme – What Works? (2021)
Presentation / Conference
Meharg, D., Fabian, K., Mooney, C., Harkness, R., & Qadir, N. (2021, July). An Online Approach to the Associate Transition Programme – What Works?. Presented at The 9th European Conference on Education, Online

As education continues to be interrupted, we must now consider how we support our wider student body, our associate and direct-entry students. This paper presents empirical work exploring the impact of moving interventions to support the transition... Read More about An Online Approach to the Associate Transition Programme – What Works?.

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.

Associate Student Project: Facilitating computing students’ transition to higher education (2021)
Presentation / Conference
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.

Earn as you learn: Widening participation through apprenticeships as debt-free degrees (2021)
Presentation / Conference
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.

Computing degree apprenticeships: An opportunity to address gender imbalance in the IT sector? (2020)
Conference Proceeding
Smith, S., Taylor-Smith, E., Fabian, K., Barr, M., Berg, T., Cutting, D., …Zarb, M. (2020). Computing degree apprenticeships: An opportunity to address gender imbalance in the IT sector?. In 2020 IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference (FIE). https://doi.org/10.1109/FIE44824.2020.9274144

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?.

Putting design into practice: An investigation of TPACK scores of lecturers in a networked institution (2019)
Journal Article
Fabian, K., Clayes, E., & Kelly, L. (2019). Putting design into practice: An investigation of TPACK scores of lecturers in a networked institution. Research in Learning Technology, 27, https://doi.org/10.25304/rlt.v27.2296

Demand for blended and online learning environments is increasing and concurrent with this is the changing competencies required for teachers to be able to facilitate learning in both face-to-face and virtual space. The Technological Pedagogical Cont... Read More about Putting design into practice: An investigation of TPACK scores of lecturers in a networked institution.

Facilitating computing students' transition to higher education (2019)
Conference Proceeding
Fabian, K., Taylor-Smith, E., Meharg, D., & Varey, A. (2019). Facilitating computing students' transition to higher education. In UKICER: Proceedings of the 1st UK & Ireland Computing Education Research Conference. https://doi.org/10.1145/3351287.3351298

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.

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)
Conference Proceeding
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 Computer Science Education (126-132). https://doi.org/10.1145/3304221.3319744

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?.

Exploring women's motivations to study computer science (2019)
Conference Proceeding
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.

Student engagement in mobile learning activities: breakdowns and breakthroughs (2019)
Conference Proceeding
Fabian, K. (2019). Student engagement in mobile learning activities: breakdowns and breakthroughs. In Proceedings of the Eleventh Congress of the European Society for Research in Mathematics Education (2818-2825)

The ubiquity of mobile devices together with the potential to bridge classroom learning to real-world has added a new angle to contextualising mathematics learning. The goal of this research was to evaluate student engagement in a series of mobile le... Read More about Student engagement in mobile learning activities: breakdowns and breakthroughs.

Enhancing learning confidence for direct entry computing students (2018)
Presentation / Conference
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.

Using mobile technologies for mathematics: effects on student attitudes and achievement (2018)
Journal Article
Fabian, K., Topping, K. J., & Barron, I. G. (2018). Using mobile technologies for mathematics: effects on student attitudes and achievement. Educational Technology Research and Development, 66(5), 1119-1139. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-018-9580-3

The ubiquity of mobile devices together with its potential to bridge classroom learning to real-world has added a new angle to contextualising mathematics learning. This study investigated the effects of using mobile technologies to students’ attitud... Read More about Using mobile technologies for mathematics: effects on student attitudes and achievement.

Flipped Classroom Model: Effects on Performance, Attitudes and Perceptions in High School Algebra (2016)
Conference Proceeding
Esperanza, P., Fabian, K., & Toto, C. (2016). Flipped Classroom Model: Effects on Performance, Attitudes and Perceptions in High School Algebra. In K. Verbert, M. Sharples, & T. Klobučar (Eds.), Adaptive and Adaptable Learning. EC-TEL 2016 (85-97). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-45153-4_7

In this study, we evaluated student perceptions of the flipped classroom model and its effects to students’ performance and attitudes to mathematics. A randomized controlled trial with 91 high school algebra students was conducted. The experimental g... Read More about Flipped Classroom Model: Effects on Performance, Attitudes and Perceptions in High School Algebra.

Maths and Mobile Technologies: Student Attitudes and Perceptions (2015)
Conference Proceeding
Fabian, K. (2015). Maths and Mobile Technologies: Student Attitudes and Perceptions. In Proceedings of the 14th European Conference on Elearning (696)

Approaches that advocate the contextualized teaching of mathematics have been around for years but the ubiquity of mobile devices together with the potential to bridge classroom learning to real-world has added a new angle to contextualizing mathemat... Read More about Maths and Mobile Technologies: Student Attitudes and Perceptions.

Mobile technology and mathematics: effects on students’ attitudes, engagement, and achievement (2015)
Journal Article
Fabian, K., Topping, K. J., & Barron, I. G. (2016). Mobile technology and mathematics: effects on students’ attitudes, engagement, and achievement. Journal of Computers in Education, 3(1), 77-104. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40692-015-0048-8

There is an increasing uptake on the use of mobile technologies for learning, but its use with mathematics has not yet been reviewed. It is the purpose of this paper to synthesize research findings on the use of mobile technologies in mathematics. A... Read More about Mobile technology and mathematics: effects on students’ attitudes, engagement, and achievement.

Keep taking the tablets? Assessing the use of tablet devices in learning and teaching activities in the Further Education sector (2014)
Journal Article
Fabian, K., & MacLean, D. (2014). Keep taking the tablets? Assessing the use of tablet devices in learning and teaching activities in the Further Education sector. Research in Learning Technology, 22, Article 22648. https://doi.org/10.3402/rlt.v22.22648

This article summarises the methodology and outcomes of an interventionist/action research project to assess the benefits, and potential pitfalls, of the use of mobile devices in learning and teaching activities in a Further Education environment. A... Read More about Keep taking the tablets? Assessing the use of tablet devices in learning and teaching activities in the Further Education sector.