Abridged too far? Credit transfer: Examining the transition process from TAFE to University

Author: Theresa Millman, University of Wollongong

Edition: Volume 53, Number 2, July 2013

Summary: In responding to a global audience, universities are increasingly bound up in priorities of maintaining viability within landscapes of globalised market imperatives, and with changing paradigms of purpose; universities need to be accessible to all. In Australia, pathways to university provided by Credit Transfer have increased student mobility; the dichotomy however, is that alongside discourses of inclusivity is the need for students to adjust to the often rigorous academic demands of higher education. This paper examines the Bachelor of Communication and Media at the University of Wollongong (UOW), and the Diploma of Communication & Media Studies at the Illawarra Institute of Technical and Further Education (TAFE). Some of the common challenges transitioning students face in their first year at UOW are discussed, including; adapting to different workloads and the demands of self-directed, independent learning. A potential solution is a pre- university entry induction program for TAFE students.

Keywords: transition, credit transfer, advanced standing, Mezirow, transformation

 

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This article is part of AJAL, Volume 53_2. The entire volume is available in .pdf for purchase here.

Bridging to the future: What works?

Author/s: Helen Anderson

Edition: Volume 47, Number 3, November 2007

Summary: This paper discusses three levels of ‘what works’ in enabling education – namely, current and successful engagement, transition and future participation, and managing uncertainties. It points to the importance of high quality programs that get the students involved with learning, effectively preparing them for further study and providing the necessary survival skills for an essentially unknown and technology-driven future.

Keywords: engagement, transition, participation, enabling education

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