Project Investigator(s): Candice Rideout, Instructor, Food, Nutrition and Health; Will Valley – Instructor, Faculty of Land and Food Systems; Christine Scaman, Associate Professor and Associate Dean Academic, Faculty of Land and Food Systems; Rickey Yada – Professor and Dean, Faculty of Land and Food Systems
Project Description
Preliminary data indicates students in the Faculty of Land and Food Systems (LFS) start first year with hope and excitement for their university studies. However, enthusiasm and satisfaction with learning appears to drop notably during first year (primarily large pre-requisite science courses). This project will provide a baseline assessment of first-year LFS students’ experiences, to better understand their transition to university and how we can enhance their learning and well-being. Results will inform a redesign of LFS 100 (a required 1-credit course; LFS students’ only disciplinary course in first year) to enhance students’ engagement, learning, and preparation for upper-year classes.
Research Question
1. What are first-year LFS students’ perceptions of their experiences transitioning to university studies?
2. Considering first-year LFS students’ experiences (challenges and successes), how can we enhance the first-year experience to promote greater engagement, learning, and preparation for upper-year classes?
Impact on teaching and learning at UBC
The results of this project will complement and inform work on Candice’s Faculty Associate project. The results are anticipated to be scalable – the size of the first-year cohort in LFS is ideal for this type of analysis. The impact of this project will be notable, both within the Faculty of Land and Food Systems and beyond; our results could aid the development of first-year enhancement projects elsewhere.