UniPASS Report Semester 1 2012 - Unilife - Curtin University

Feedback from Non-Attendees (continued)
Figure 5
UniPASS Semester 1 2012 Report
Reasons for not Attending UniPASS
35%
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
It was boring I didn't learn
anything
I didn't have
time
I didn't think I
needed it
They didn't
give answers
Timetable
clash
Inconvenient
times
other
The main reasons cited for not coming to UniPASS were: Not having time 30%; Didn’t feel they needed it 25%;
Timetable clash 17%; and Inconvenient times 15%. Overall, 72% of the reasons given for not attending where
time based reasons. The issue of timetable clash is probably not something we can further improve on as we
approached this using multiple strategies. The timetabling is a complicated part of the program as the students’
timetable, facilitator’s timetable and suitable room availabilities all have to coincide. Also, the coordinators
believe that too many sessions were scheduled for semester 1 2012 as attendance rates were anticipated at 30%
so the number of sessions were planned accordingly. This meant that there were a large number of sessions to
choose from for each unit yet by week four many of the sessions had to be cut due to low/nil attendance. So, the
availability of session times was probably at maximum level for this program.
It is interesting to note that the nature of the program itself were not reasons for low attendance. For example:
It was boring 2%, I didn’t learn anything 2% (Figure 5) are negligible ratings. As the collaborative peer learning
model is still not commonly employed in many tutorials and workshops we thought that resistance to this new
way of learning could have led to low attendance but it does not appear to be the case.
Student Comments
Some indicative responses for not participating in UniPASS include:
“I prefer to study by myself”
“Individuals teaching way of studying that didnt work for me”
“Didnt look into it at start of semester” “Due to work” “Lazy”
“Tutor said: ‘No need to go there if you are attending my class’"
UniPASS is not going to appeal to all students and nor does it aim to so comments indicating a preference to
study individually are to be expected. The last comment highlights the importance of having academic staff
support. This comment is even more relevant when we consider that the most recalled promotional channel was
the lecturer. Having academic buy-in gives the program credibility and staff who may discourage attendance
could become a concern for the program.
Raphael Pereira September 2012 UniLife – START – UniPASS 13