Student success at college is not just achieving high grades The National Forum for Teaching and Learning defines student success as the process by which students fulfil their potential and flourish at college and in society. This is a broader activity than simply achieving high grades. Psychosocial competencies are core to the definition of student success: these are the ‘soft skills’ or ‘non-cognitive skills’ that enable students to cope well with learning challenges, engage deeply in learning, and develop their identities as learners and as active citizens. Transitions are a key issue within this priority area, with transitions such as the move from school to college presenting both challenges and opportunities for students.
About this initiative
Academic integrity is the cornerstone of the research and academic community in the university. Policies in the area are currently under review and although robust, there appears to be a lack of understanding throughout the colleges as to their content and implications. Gallant and Stephens (2020) argue that universities have an ethical obligation to educate the students and staff and create developmental opportunities for all to move away from a solely punitive system, which can often induce cheating. The move from punitive measures to a more developmental/educational approach in addressing the academic integrity issue will involve creating an academic educational opportunity and potential digital badge opportunity for both staff and students. In parallel, this initiative will investigate the use of lockdown browsers as an alternative solution for students being able to use their own devices in exam settings. This initiative seeks to:
• create educational opportunities for staff and students in the area of academic integrity.
• recruit and appoint Academic Integrity Ambassadors amongst staff and student populations to foster a community of shared practice.
• design a developmental approach to foster academic integrity, which serves different cohorts of students across the colleges, for example part-time students, undergraduate students, post graduate students.
• create uniform structures and standards for ease of communication with students.
• To work with our Disability Support Service to scope the use and advance a trialling of the potential use of lockdown browsers under invigilated examination conditions with a specific cohort of students.
Lead organisations
Affiliated organisations
Linked open educational resources
Initiative details
Funding programmes SATLE
Themes Student Success
Award year
2020Funding amount (€)
56136Contributors
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