‘Non-traditional’ student identity: developing a hybrid ethnographic framework to explore attitudes within a new university teaching and learning context.

Nicholson, Harry (2022) ‘Non-traditional’ student identity: developing a hybrid ethnographic framework to explore attitudes within a new university teaching and learning context. Doctoral thesis, Buckinghamshire New University.

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Abstract

Abstract Background ‘Non-traditional’ student is a term associated with widening participation in higher education. This broad label contains a number of subgroups and characteristics, many of which relate to intersectional aspects of identity. Concerns have been raised in wider literature that the term can be negatively applied. Observations in practice indicated that tutors used the term divergently. One application celebrated student diversity; another labelled the student as lacking sufficient academic ability. The demographics of the university studied indicate the high representation of students from ‘non-traditional’ backgrounds. The institution’s vocational facing orientation means that a significant number of the tutors are recruited for their practice experience and many come from ‘non-traditional’ backgrounds too. Aims To make use of this opportunity to compare how the two participant groups navigated their personal educational journeys and how they responded to the term ‘non-traditional’ in relation to their sense of identity. The aim was to develop separate dialogues that could then be used to inform aspects of professional practice. Specifically, to raise the voice of students and tutors and engage them in shared learning and to reduce potential stigma attached to ‘non-traditional’. To promote an inductive framework of research to iteratively explore issues relating to student identity within a teaching and learning environment.

Item Type: Thesis (Doctoral)
Keywords: Non-traditional students, Teaching and learning, Student identities, Ethnographic, Widening participation
Depositing User: RED Unit Admin
Date Deposited: 18 Mar 2022 10:19
Last Modified: 09 May 2022 14:19
URI: https://bnu.repository.guildhe.ac.uk/id/eprint/18510

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