Managing expectations: an online resource to support health sciences students with their dissertation

Abstract

This presentation shared how we introduced a literature searching online guide, designed specifically to support health sciences students who are working on their dissertation. Prior to this, each year we were experiencing significant, and recently almost unmanageable, demand for one-to-one appointments from health sciences students as they embarked on their dissertation and the guide was created to provide students with an alternative source of support. The guide was designed with the diverse needs of health sciences students in mind, and approaches to meeting those needs were inspired by UDL Guidelines (CAST, 2024). For example, content in the resource is represented through text, diagrams, and video demonstrations, providing options for how students engage with the material. In addition, the resource is clearly structured, and concepts scaffolded to support sustained effort and persistence in working towards goals. The language in the resource is intended to be clear, and any specialised vocabulary is explained.

In this presentation, we explored how the resource has not only helped to reduce demand for appointments but has revolutionised the nature of interactions between students and the Learning Development team. The resource has been used as a framework for embedded workshops, appointments, and bespoke drop-in sessions where the focus has been on learning to use the resource, rather than learning the concepts explained within the resource. This approach empowers students to build their confidence as independent learners. The approach also reduces pressure for learning to be completed within the space and time limitations of the workshop or appointment.