Second Chance Learners

From Lisa Emerson:

Hi everyone: I wonder if someone could point me to a good source of
research related to second chance learners? I'm particularly
interested in any research related to second chance learners and
their acquisition of academic writing skills. Any pointers appreciated!

Many thanks

Lisa Emerson

Associate Professor Lisa Emerson
School of English and Media Studies
Massey University
Private Bag 11 222
Palmerston North,
New Zealand
Ph: 06-3569099 ext 2601
Mobile: 021 1732 365
Email: L.Emerson@massey.ac.nz

Hi Lisa

I'm not quite sure what you mean by "second chance" learners - do you mean people coming back to study after a long time, what used to be known as "mature aged" and related types of student? If so, I'm presenting at the AALL conference this year on some research I'm doing on a Foundation Course which might relate, so I'm happy to chat to you there if you're attending. I've found very little in this area (although it's very important and becoming more so), but if anyone else knows of some prior research I would also really appreciate some suggestions!

Thanks
Chad

Hi, Lisa and Chad

Some years ago I was involved with some campus colleagues in some research relating to our Bridging programs (subsequently replaced by the one Whyalla Bridging Program. Now there is a university-wide program: UniSA Foundation Studies http://www.unisanet.unisa.edu.au/programs/Program-plan-list.asp?Program=...)

The following conference papers may be of interest, even though they are from nearly a decade ago - there is a link to the FYE one (not based on the research project, but some findings were incorporated into the conference presentation). I'll send you both the SPERA one, which also has some references to some second-chance work by M McFadden.

Ellis, B, Cooper, N & Sawyer, J 2001, 'Bridging studies: an alternative pathway to university for rural Australians', in Providing Quality Education and Training for Rural Australians: Proceedings of the 17th National Conference of the Society for the Provision of Education in Rural Australia, Wagga Wagga NSW, 8-11 July, pp. 89-103.

Cooper, N, Ellis, B & Sawyer, J 2000, 'Expanded future opportunities provided by a bridging course at a regional university campus', The Fourth Pacific Rim - First Year in Higher Education Conference: Creating Futures for a New Millennium, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, 5-7 July 2000, http://www.fyhe.qut.edu.au/past_papers/abstracts/CooperAbstract.htm and CDROM.

Also an unrefereed conference paper:

Cooper, N, Ellis, B & Sawyer, J 2000, 'Bridging courses as a mechanism for enabling lifelong learning', in Lifelong Learning - Effecting Change in the Global Society: Seminar Proceedings of the 31st Triennial Conference, Adelaide, 17-20 April 2000, ed. D Elliott, Australian Federation of University Women, Adelaide, pp. 68-74.
All the best with your work.

Bronwyn
Bronwyn Ellis
Adjunct Research Associate
Spencer Gulf Rural Health School
(University of South Australia and The University of Adelaide)
c/- University of South Australia
111 Nicolson Avenue
Whyalla Norrie SA 5608
Web: http://sgrhs.unisa.edu.au
Member, Centre for Rural Health and Community Development (CRHaCD)
Telephone: +61 8 8645 4005
E-mail: bronwyn.ellis@unisa.edu.au
http://people.unisa.edu.au/Bronwyn.Ellis

Hi there. If you can access the following journal articles, you will find information relating to the experiences of mature age learners in Enabling programs but not so much research tailored to the acquisition of academic writing skills. However, take a look. The articles were chosen from presentations at the National Association of Enabling Educators conference, held every two years since 2004. The next conference is in November of this year… In Toowoomba.
Hope this helps… definitely worth a read..
Seary, K. and Willans, J. (2004). “Its more than just academic essays and rules of mathematics: Travelling the road with heroes on the STEPS journey into signposts for their future”, Australian Journal of Adult Learning, 44 (3).

Willans, J & Seary, K. (2007). “I’m not stupid after all” – changing perceptions of self as a tool for transformation, Australian Journal of Adult Learning, 5 (3), 434-452.
Kind regards
Julie
Julie Willans
Head CLC/Lecturer/STEPS Campus Co-ordinator
Academic Learning Services

Division of Library and Academic Learning Services
CQUniversity Australia
Rockhampton 4702
PH: 0749309294
j.willans@cqu.edu.au
http://clc.cqu.edu.au

Forgot to tell you… my current doctoral thesis, almost completed, is about the perception of self as learner of mature age learners who engaged in an Enabling program here at CQUniversity in Rockhampton. I will chase up your papers Bronwyn to add to my reading!
j

Dear Lisa,
In my doctoral thesis 'Alternative entry programs to university for mature age students', I referred to Brendan Nelson (then federal Minister Education) reference to 'second chance students'. (Nelson, 2002, p. 2): Higher Education at the Crossroads.

At the time of writing the thesis I phoned DEST to qualify the use of 'second chance students' as used by Nelson (2002) and DEST suggested that the definition includes(e.g., students who were re-engaging in study, mature age, Year 12 completers, unmatriculated school-leavers, students returning to study, students from disadvantaged backgrounds and under-represented groups). For the purpose of my study I positioned 'second chance students' as mature age who presented with one or more of the above demographic(.
Regards
Marguerite