2016) 'Examining Chinese postgraduate students' academic adjustment in the UK higher education sector : a process-based stage model.', Teaching in higher education., 21 (3). pp. 326-343.Further information on publisher's website:The full-text may be used and/or reproduced, and given to third parties in any format or medium, without prior permission or charge, for personal research or study, educational, or not-for-prot purposes provided that:• a full bibliographic reference is made to the original source • a link is made to the metadata record in DRO • the full-text is not changed in any way The full-text must not be sold in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holders.Please consult the full DRO policy for further details.The current theories relating to international student transition have largely tended to concentrate on what to be adapted. This research contributes to the pedagogic literature examining how the transition is made by international postgraduate students. Using data from 20 qualitative in-depth interviews in conjunction with observations of teaching sessions and the researchers' field notes, we discover a process-based stage model which identifies a step-by-step approach at a micro level of academic transition. Our findings extended the prior stage modes to incorporate students' pre-arrival experience and claim that the pre-departure stage plays a crucial role on Chinese students' later academic adjustment in the UK. The finding of our four-stage-model helps not only higher education institutions increasing sensitivity to the design of study programmes and induction provision but provide practical implications for recruitment agents that attempt to engage students' pre-arrival preparations in terms of enhancing their marketing strategy in the long-term.

Mike (2019) Factors influencing student non-attendance at formal teaching sessions. Studies in Higher Education.

How can we improve business ethics education for the 21 st century? This study evaluates the effectiveness of a visual case exercise in the form of a 3D immersive game given to undergraduate students at two UK Universities as part of a mandatory Business Ethics module. We propose that due to evolving learning styles, the immersive nature of interactive games lends itself as a vehicle to make the learning of ethics more 'concrete' and 'personal' and therefore more engaging. To achieve this we designed and built an immersive 3D simulation game 1 in the style of a visual case. The effectiveness of the game was evaluated using a mixed methods approach measuring recognised and adapted constructs from the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Results demonstrate that students found the game beneficial to their learning of ethics with the development of knowledge and skills applicable to the real world and that they engaged with the process due to game elements. Findings demonstrate the potential for the development of simulated games to teach ethics at all levels and modes of delivery and the contribution of this type of visual case model as a pedagogic method.

Purpose-E-learning Environments and Services (ELES) adoption and success rates challenge ELES designers, practitioners and organisations. Enterprise decision makers continue to seek effective instruments in launching such systems. This study aims to understand users' perceptions of ELES effectiveness and develops a theoretical framework which improves understanding of success factors for adoption. Design/Methodology/Approach-Grounded Theory Method (GTM) is used to reflect on the relationships between changing users' requirements and expectations, technological advances and ELES effectiveness models. A longitudinal study collecting data from social media blogs over four years was authenticated based on the context evaluation, language structure and conversational constructs. Findings-Identification of a new core dimension named "Concept Functionality" which can be used to understand the relationships between E-learning effectiveness factors, including the relationships with other domains such as security. The findings are also used to validate major existing models for the success of ELES. Practical Implications-The new framework potentially improves system design process in the fields of education technology, enterprise systems, etc. Originality/Value-Concept functionality dimension can offer more insights to understand ELES effectiveness and further improve system design process in a variety of domains including enterprise systems, process modelling and education technology.

Purpose -A research paper on the design and implementation of an e-learning resource responding to the globalisation of education. The purpose of this paper is to focus on the challenges presented in learning and teaching on how to support international postgraduate (PG) students undertaking the specific task of a dissertation. Design/methodology/approach -Using findings from 250 PG students, 40 supervisors and two module tutors the research identified the content and language issues faced by students and recognised the need to design an enabler supporting the latter as independent learners and the academic staff delivering support. Findings -The e-learning tool provides an independent learning tool which addresses student concerns relating to the process and content of structuring a dissertation and the function of language. Initial responses have been positive from both staff and students in respect to providing a source of student support and feedback. Originality/value -The research shows how the Dissertation Game Model (DGM), evolved into an e-learning resource supporting student understanding of the content, structure, planning and writing of a dissertation. The e-learning tool focuses on helping international students understand what the generic contents of each chapter of a dissertation should contain and supports them in engaging in research as a transferable skill.