scholarly journals It’s the fear of the unknown: Transition from higher education for young autistic adults

Autism ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 1575-1585 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan Vincent

More young people with a diagnosis of autism are enrolling and successfully completing higher education courses than ever before and this is set to increase; however, while there is a burgeoning body of literature surrounding the transition into this stage of education, there is a paucity of research that investigates the transition as this population exit higher education. This exploratory qualitative study is one of the first to identify the specific experiences of young autistic adults making this transition, drawing on semi-structured interviews with 21 students and recent graduates. Findings indicate that transition out of higher education is challenging on both practical and psychological levels, manifested by feelings of anxiety and loss. However, there is also evidence that the same phenomenon can also be understood as a positive departure with important implications for identity development. Findings are discussed in relation to future research and implications for practice in higher education institutions.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katharine Naidu ◽  
Mpho-Entle Puleng Modise

Education has been greatly impacted by the current Covid-19 pandemic. With countries worldwide experiencing unprecedented extended lockdowns, higher education providers have sought innovative technological ways of effectively delivering tuition and support to diverse students. This has, however, also increased the blurring of the work–home boundaries. This paper reports on the way in which Covid-19 facilitated the blurring of the work–home boundaries of academics in the College of Education at the University of South Africa, a distance education institution. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from 15 lecturers via Microsoft Teams. The results showed that, owing to a lack of workspace at their homes, many academics were forced to work beyond normal office hours. Inexplicit expectations from the employer exacerbated the blurring of work–home interfaces for many academics. The results of this study can be used for future research to seek ways in which the management of the University of South Africa or employers of other higher education institutions can help to reduce the blurring of work–home boundaries.


2020 ◽  
pp. 003452372093999
Author(s):  
Phyllis A Witt ◽  
Christopher A Gearin

Higher education institutions are heavily reliant on part-time adjuncts to teach their students. These part-time adjuncts now account for the majority of faculty in the United States. This qualitative study utilizes a phenomenological approach to explore the essence of the lived experiences of part-time adjuncts who travel to more than one university in their work roles. This study utilized semi-structured interviews with eight traveling adjuncts. The interview questions were based on: the theory of underemployment, employee engagement theory, and the learned helplessness model. While higher education institutions are reliant on adjunct faculty for their survival, the findings uncovered negative factors within the work environment which included job dissatisfaction, low pay, and little or no benefits. The implications and recommendations of these findings and recommendations for future research are also discussed.


2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 179-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.M. Wong

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify the teaching innovations that have been implemented in higher education institutions in Asia and the perspectives of educators on them. Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 28 educators who were affiliated with 23 higher education institutions in ten Asian countries/regions. The interviews covered information about the teaching innovations of the participants’ institutions, the characteristics of the innovative practices and the participants’ views on them. The relationships between the characteristics of institutions and their teaching innovations were also examined. Findings The results showed that the teaching innovations included two main categories, namely, those which involved the use of advanced technologies and those which did not. The innovations that involved the use of advanced technologies were mainly from larger institutions, while the other category was mainly from smaller ones and had been practised for less than 1.5 years. Differences were also identified between the two categories in terms of the aims and importance of innovations, innovative features, the evaluation of innovations and improvements needed for them. Originality/value The results highlighted that technology is only one of the many aspects of teaching innovations, which is different from the view prevailing in the literature. They also suggested that differences in the scale of institutions (in terms of number of students) possibly influences the kind of teaching innovations adopted.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 240-248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vassilis Kostoglou ◽  
Konstantinos Kafkas

Abstract This work is an attempt to contribute to the knowledge and guidance of young people (lyceum graduates, higher education students and recent graduates) regarding important issues related to their career and vocational prospects. These issues are related to major relevant questions such as 'what' and 'where' to study, as well as the contents and the prospects of all provided specializations by the departments of Greek institutes of higher education. This article focuses on the analysis and the design of a mobile-based decision support system (DSS) to assist its users in getting thoroughly informed about HE studies in Greece, and eventually in choosing their vocational prospects. An extensive literature and applications review has revealed that there are no such DDS systems, giving to this work an innovative character. The article contains all main elements of system's architecture and design including the essential technical information, presents the main features and representative screenshots of the mobile-based application and comes to conclusions and future suggested work.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 636
Author(s):  
Andreia Filipa Teixeira ◽  
Maria José Angélico Gonçalves ◽  
Maria de Lourdes Machado Taylor

In recent years, the rapid development of technological innovation has transformed the business world. Digital transformation improves the economic positioning of companies, contributing to society and the environment, but beyond technological evolution, it also brings social and cultural changes. With the new trends, companies saw the need to train people with digital skills and higher education institutions (HEIs) were forced to change their teaching methods to keep up with the new demands of the labour market. In this context, it is intended to identify the influence that HEIs play in the digital development of regions, in this case, the influence of Public Polytechnic Institutes of Porto in the development of the Metropolitan Area of Porto. The methodology adopted to answer the objectives of this study and research questions formulated, was an exploratory study, using semi-structured interviews and questionnaires. The results obtained allowed us to verify the positive influence of HEIs in the digital development of the Metropolitan Area of Porto. As well as identify the motivations that lead companies to participate in digital transformation initiatives, identify the skills needed to meet the demands of the labour market and identify the efforts made by HEIs to keep up with the digital evolution of society.


Author(s):  
Mihaela V. Cărăuşan

Abstract This paper presents how Romanian educational strategies are aligned with the policy statements of international organisations for future generations. The research hypothesis is that Romanian higher education institutions (HEI) are not ready to fulfil the needs of future generations. The paper reviews the educational competences of fourteen faculties of public administration and management from nine universities (state and private). The analysis is based on Kolb’s experiential learning cycle elements, and we identified whether educational competences referred directly to them or not. Our findings concentrate on the lack of recognition of experiential learning methods and the gap between the labour market requirements and the educational competences acquired in Romanian HEI. The methodology used to respond to the research questions mixes qualitative (strategies and literature review, structured interviews) and quantitative approaches (assessment of the curricula and information presented in the admission process by Faculties of Public Administration and Management).


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. e18153
Author(s):  
Patricia Mara Simões Andrade ◽  
Marcello Romani-Dias ◽  
Caio Sousa

Objective: Propose an unprecedented initial categorization structure on the internationalization process of Brazilian HEIs, according to the Uppsala model Methodology: With the qualitative method, semi-structured interviews were conducted with representatives of the HEIs, reviewing and articulating the literature with content analysis on all data obtained.Originality: The study links a classic approach to internationalization with the current reality of higher education institutions. Thus, it is expected that there will be a new conception on how HEIs can optimize their strategies for international insertion.Main results: The internationalization of HEI can be analyzed by three main categorized elements, they are: i) the drivers; ii) enablers and, iii) obstacles to the internationalization of HEIs, each with their own specific characteristics. Theoretical Contributions: The research presents a conceptual categorization for the essential factors of the internationalization of HEI's, this articulation allows advancing in the literature on internationalization and also on the management models of higher education institutions.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sudhir Rana ◽  
Shubhangi Verma ◽  
Moon Moon Haque ◽  
Gouher Ahmed

Purpose The manuscript reflects on the future of higher education from an emerging country perspective. The authors specifically answer how new education policies, ranking and accreditation are impacting the current state of Indian higher education institutions (IHEIs) and how IHEIs can cultivate their path towards positioning themselves internationally. This study aims to bring together existing scenarios and to serve as a springboard for future research and applications. Design/methodology/approach The manuscript is designed and executed as a conceptual study exploring the current state and prospects for IHEIs. The study synthesizes the concepts of positioning strategies in context to IHEIs. A conceptual diagram integrating existing concepts from marketing, total quality management and business education is created to understand the phenomenon among the IHEIs stakeholders. Findings The authors found that IHEIs started showing their international presence yet they are facing various challenges (government bureaucracy; international salary standards; global student population; and cultural sensitivity). The authors also found that the positioning problem is not a one-time attempt; the complexity of higher education is a “wicked problem” and, hence needs to be evaluated, changed and executed continuously. The manuscript offers relevant information to IHEIs leaders and stakeholders to improve on their international positioning strategies and proposes avenues for future research. Originality/value The study outlines future development and positioning strategic plans that IHEIs may consider and reflect in their strategic plan. The conceptual diagram on achieving successful international positioning and problem areas is expected to act as a guidebook for the key decision-makers. The focus is on distinguishing the imperatives, creating a key guide for meeting immediate requirements, allotting assets prudently to update their international presence. The study will provide IHEIs with a new lease of life in the future.


2018 ◽  
pp. 1087-1101
Author(s):  
Jennifer L. Penland

This chapter focuses on the changes that have occurred recently in the distance education arena and the impact on higher education institutions focusing on undergraduate and graduate students taking these courses. Data were gathered from 164 individual participants enrolled in education courses at Shepherd University during the spring 2013, fall 2013 and spring 2014 semesters from end of course surveys with ten questions focusing on the following areas: when students learn, why students learn and how students learn. Findings suggested; (1) increased enrollment in distance education courses, (2) courses allow for flexible schedules (3) better communication with instructor and (4) more meaningful learning overall for students.


Author(s):  
Bruno Barbosa Sousa ◽  
Filipa Costa Magalhães

In the recent years, the educational market has become more dynamic and complex. There are many market forces that are trying to shape the educational environment. The competition between universities is increasing. Public marketing is a fundamental tool in the promotion of places, one that must be present in the strategies of local government representatives, helping and promoting a sustainable economic and social development of the regions and universities. The prupose of this chapter is to analyze, measure, and perceive the impact of brand attachment on consumer behavior in the specific context of higher education in Portugal, based on the affective and emotional relationship between students and the higher education institutions. The results allowed us to conclude that the brand attachment has a preponderant role and impact in the relationship between the student and the institution of higher education. This chapter aims to further develop the understanding of the educational marketing for higher education institutions. Implications for future research are also presented.


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