Download Document - Office for Learning and Teaching

confusing”.(4) Where do you normally do your study? Why?Only one student sometimes studied in the university and sometimes studied athome. She felt that studying on the university campus was efficient. The other sixstudents liked to study at home and one of them commented, “The reason is it’s themost convenient place to get it done as it seem to be the best place”.(5) Do you spend much time studying in the campus? Why/ why not?All seven local students liked to study at home. They only studied in university if theyneed to, such as when downloading or doing group work. One student commented,“I was spending a lot of time at the campus as I was an internal student but at themoment I do not spend much time there at all as I am an external student I do notget the time to go there and I do everything through the computer for the best part ofthe time”. One student commented, “I only go there sometimes if I need to use atextbook or use their net to download something”. One student commented“particularly if I am participating in group study or group tasks”.5.3.4 Study difficulties(1) Local students: what were the main study difficulties you encountered in 1styear?All seven students had some difficulties, which can be divided into two categories.The first was that new students need time to get used to learning methods in theuniversity as they are different from those in high school. One of them commented,“University study is a lot different to high school, you are not pushed and you mustrely on yourself to get in and get the work done”. The second was that new studentsneed time to get used to the teaching methods; as one of them commented,““Referencing with textbooks, finding a balance with life and university as well ashelp from teachers”.5.4 Graduates interview data analysisA total of 10 graduates of Asian background participated in the interview.5.4.1 Teaching Content and Textbooks(1) Do you have any difficulties in reading textbook?Nine graduates had language problems when they read textbooks. For example,one graduate said, “English is my second language, so sometimes it is really hard tofind out the meaning of a word”. Only one student has no difficulties. He said, “I findI do not have too many difficulties whilst reading Australian textbooks, becausewhen … the lecturer chooses the textbooks, they take into consideration that thisbook would be useful to both local and international students”.(2) Do you think reading the textbook is very important to your study?Eight graduates thought the textbook was very important. For example, onegraduate said, “It is very important. Many people find the examples really important.Before going to a particular exam you need to know something about the material,so the textbook and examples are really important”. Two students thought it was notthat important. One of them said, “I do not think that the textbook is really importantto me, I believe that the textbook is only a part of the idealistic reference material”.(3) How many hours are spent in reading textbooks per week?One graduate spent two to three hours per week. Two graduates spent 5-10 hoursper week on textbooks. Five graduates spent more than 20 hours per week.(4) What do you do when you can’t understand your textbooks?89