An innovative program to help students cope with the transition to University study has won a prestigious national award from the Australian Learning and Teaching Council (ALTC).

 

CSU’s Study Link - Preparation for University Study, was one of 12 programs around Australia which each secured a $25,000 ALTC Award for university teaching. The award was announced earlier this week (Tuesday).

 

Developed and managed by CSU’s Director of Transitions Liz Smith, Study Link won the award based on its sustained commitment to, and success in, supporting students in their first year of University study. More than 24,000 enrolments in the program have been registered since it was introduced more than a decade ago. It offers flexible, blended learning, such as through online, face-to-face or print. The flexiblity means that distance education students, for example, can prepare for the study environment by distance  – ie the way they will study their course.

 

CSU Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Ian Goulter said the award-winning program was continuing to attract national attention for its innovative approach, even in its 10^th year.

 

“The University acknowleges that while securing a place in a degree program is a significant achievement, it takes real effort over time to graduate. In particular, the first year of University can be a real challenge for some students, so we focused our support on that year,” he said.

 

“CSU has continuously and rigorously evaluated the program and last year commissioned an external study – completed by a Monash University academic – which concluded it had a ‘positive effect on student attrition rates’ and was an important benchmark for the higher education sector in first year experience programs.”

 

Ms Smith said she was thrilled with news of the award, and said it capped off a brilliant 12 months for CSU and work on the student experience. In addition to receiving the 2008 Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Programs that Enhance Learning, just two months ago Ms Smith also won an ALTC citation outstanding contribution to student learning in the first year experience category.

 

For more information about Study Link, visit http://www.csu.edu.au/student/studylink/.

 

To view the ALTC’s media release, visit http://www.altc.edu.au/october-2009-australian-awards-for-university-teaching-recipients.