Decoding induction: New Social Induction Framework produced by QAA Collaborative Enhancement Project

Many of the common challenges around student induction can be addressed by adopting the playful pedagogy that underpins the social induction tool produced through this Collaborative Enhancement Project. The project, which was led by Falmouth University, in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh and University of Glasgow, emerged from a recognition that students starting their higher education studies need clear orientation to online tools and behaviours.

The Social Induction Framework focuses on supporting students to become familiar with virtual learning environments, diverse learning environments and a variety of learning platforms. The Framework is designed to be used in any environment (virtual, digital and/or physical) and provides a scaffold to aid learners familiarising themselves with in-house learning environments using a suite of social-based activities focused on particular points of student engagement such as course and campus inductions.

Project outputs include an overview of the project itself, an evaluation of how the project was piloted in all three partner institutions at the beginning of the 2021-22 academic year, and a series of case studies. The project report provides detail on how higher education institutions could adopt the social induction framework to support their students in familiarising themselves with VLEs, and other elements of their respective learning environments. The project also aligns closely with QAA’s work on supporting successful student transitions.

Dr Ailsa Crum, QAA’s Director of Membership, Quality Enhancement and Standards, said: ‘This project offers an exciting take on student induction centred around social interaction. We hope it goes some way to addressing current challenges linked to ensuring students quickly develop a sense of belonging, as well as providing an engaging introduction to their time in higher education.’

Dr Russell Crawford, Director of Learning and Teaching at Falmouth University and project lead said: 'The Social Induction Framework is as much about “belonging” as it is about activities or other components within it, providing scaffolding to foster a sense of belonging from the very start of a student’s journey. This is key to retaining learners, as well building towards many positive learning outcomes along the way, and is something the entire project team is passionate about'.

The Framework, project report and case studies are available on the project webpage. You can also view our range of supporting successful student transitions resources.