A Descriptive Study of Freshman Orientation Courses and Their Relevance in Meeting the Needs of Nontraditional Students
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Authors
Kinsey, Christopher Shaun
Issue Date
2012-01-18
Type
Dissertation
Language
en_US
Keywords
freshmen , traditional students , nontraditional students , orientation , andragogy , adult learning
Alternative Title
Abstract
The nontraditional student, based on the theory of andragogy, is a unique student with educational needs different from those of the traditional student. The beginning of the First Year Experience program began in 1972 with John Gardner at the University of South Carolina. As a component of the First Year Experience Program, the freshman orientation course seeks to prepare the beginning freshman for the challenges of college. With a one-size-fits-all model, the nontraditional student is often overshadowed by the traditional college student. The purpose of this descriptive qualitative study was to investigate the extent and relevance of the freshman orientation course in meeting the unique needs of the nontraditional student and to make recommendations as to the most beneficial curricular structure and learning objectives of the freshman orientation course to better meet the unique needs of nontraditional students.
A descriptive qualitative analysis was used in the analysis of three focus groups instruments of ABAC 1000 students, an online questionnaire of nontraditional students, and a survey of 92 Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accredited institutions of higher education in Georgia. The content analysis of these research instruments allowed for the discovery of commonalities in programs, the perceived educational needs of nontraditional students, and the current course design of the freshman orientation course.
This study had many findings in regards to perceived educational needs of the nontraditional student and the course design of the freshman orientation course. Within these findings there were fourteen recommendations for course objectives for nontraditional students. The need for a freshman orientation course will continue to grow with the increase of the nontraditional student population within higher education.
Description
Citation
Publisher
Valdosta State University
License
Copyright protected. Unauthorized reproduction or use beyond the exceptions granted by the Fair Use clause of U.S. Copyright law may violate federal law.