Including mature students: the creation of an online resource tailored to the mature student experience

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47408/jldhe.vi37.1780

Keywords:

mature students, co-creation, study skills, group work, belonging

Author Biographies

Suzy Beck, University of Leeds

Suzy Beck is currently a Learning Advisor at the University of Leeds. She has a background in primary teaching and first made the move into higher education in 2018 to work as a specialist Study Skills Tutor. She has recently been awarded a PhD in Higher Education with her research focusing on disability and inclusion, specifically in relation to students with specific learning differences.

Rachel Walls, University of Leeds

Rachel Walls is a Teaching Fellow in Academic Skills Development based in the Lifelong Learning Centre at the University of Leeds. She supports mature, part-time undergraduates and Lifelong Learning Centre undergraduate applicants and students with academic skills development, through module teaching and one-to-one appointments.

Anthony Warde, University of Leeds

Anthony Warde has been a Digital Learning Advisor at University of Leeds since 2022, supporting the faculties of Engineering and Environment, as well as Leeds Business School. He is also jointly responsible for the maintenance and ongoing development of the library’s Academic Skills webpages and for the creation of new interactive learning objects and online resources. Prior to joining Leeds, he worked at the Department for Lifelong Learning at the University of Sheffield, working with mature students on part-time and full-time integrated degree pathways in the humanities.

References

Allen, K.-A., Slaten, C., Hong, S., Lan, M., Craig, H., May, F. and Counted, V. (2024), ‘Belonging in higher education: a twenty-year systematic review’, Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice, 21(5). Available at: https://doi.org/10.53761/s2he6n66

Davies, W. M. (2009) ‘Groupwork as a form of assessment: common problems and recommended solutions’, Higher Education, 58(4), pp.563-584.

Erb, S. and Drysdale, M. (2017) ‘Learning attributes, academic self-efficacy and sense of belonging amongst mature students at a Canadian university’, Studies in the Education of Adults, 49(1), pp.62-74. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/02660830.2017.1283754

Kasworm, C. (2008) ‘Emotional challenges of adult learners in higher education’, New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education, 120, pp.27-34. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1002/ace.313

Strayhorn, T. L. (2019) College students’ sense of belonging: a key to educational success for all students. 2nd edn. New York: Routledge.

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Published

30-09-2025

How to Cite

Beck, S., Walls, R., & Warde, A. (2025). Including mature students: the creation of an online resource tailored to the mature student experience. Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education, (37). https://doi.org/10.47408/jldhe.vi37.1780

Issue

No. 37 (2025): Special Edition, ALDinHE Conference Proceedings and Reflections

Section

Conference Proceedings

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