ERIC Number: EJ1399079
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023
Pages: 20
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0018-1560
EISSN: EISSN-1573-174X
Understanding How the University Curriculum Impacts Student Wellbeing: A Qualitative Study
Upsher, Rebecca; Percy, Zephyr; Cappiello, Lorenzo; Byrom, Nicola; Hughes, Gareth; Oates, Jennifer; Nobili, Anna; Rakow, Katie; Anaukwu, Chinwe; Foster, Juliet
Higher Education: The International Journal of Higher Education Research, v86 n5 p1213-1232 2023
There is increasing pressure within universities to address student mental health. From a whole university or settings-based perspective, this could include curriculum-embedded approaches. There is little research about how this should work or what approaches might be most effective. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with fifty-seven undergraduate students from five disciplines (Psychology, English studies, Nursing, International Politics, and War Studies) to understand students' perspectives. Students reflected on wellbeing module content and, more broadly, on curriculum processes (teaching, pedagogy, assessment) within their degree. Reflexive thematic analysis was applied to transcripts, generating three themes: embedding wellbeing in the curriculum; assessment, challenge, and academic support; and social connection and interaction. The findings provide evidence for teaching, pedagogy, and assessment practices supporting higher education student wellbeing. These align with recommended good teaching practices, such as considering appropriate assessment methods followed by effective feedback. Students saw the benefits of being academically challenged if scaffolded appropriately. Strong peer connection, teacher-student interaction, and communication were crucial to learning and wellbeing. These findings provide implications for future curriculum design that can support learning and wellbeing.
Descriptors: Undergraduate Students, College Curriculum, Well Being, Mental Health, Student Experience, Difficulty Level, Peer Relationship, Interaction, Teacher Student Relationship, Communication (Thought Transfer), Social Support Groups
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A