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Redesigning First-Year Classes
A 2023-24 Parr Centre Project
The transition from high school to university can be a stressful time for students, especially when it comes to adapting to large, lecture-based classes. The Redesigning Large First-Year Classes project helped support students in this transition in two of Western’s largest first year classes: Biology and Psychology.
With the support of Parr Centre funding, this initiative incorporated engaged learning lab exercises in a small group format to help students engage with the material in a different way. As a supplement to lectures and readings, the learning labs helped students to apply the concepts to retain the content more easily.
Another component of the initiative included integrating mental health support for students by training over 100 teaching assistants (TAs) in mental health ‘first aid’. Two-hour workshops were offered to TAs to prepare them to support first year students with mental health challenges, particularly before or in lab sessions.
Funding has also expanded mentorship opportunities for students in these disciplines to help them navigate their programs and the university transition.
By creating a new system of structures to integrate mental health, engaged learning, and community into large first year classes, students are better supported with the foundations that allow them to thrive.
Project Impact
- Over 95 teaching assistants and mentors were trained to provide mental health ‘first aid’ via 2-hour workshops.
- Prior to providing mental health support, 50% of biology students reported they felt well-assisted by the instructional team in their studies and exam preparation. This value increased to 74% after providing support. There were many examples where “at-risk” students were successfully connected to mental health services.