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WORKSHOP SESSION PLAN

TITLE OF SESSION: Choosing a University Workshop

LENGTH OF SESSION: 55 – 90 minutes

AIM:

• To provide students with an understanding of the range of considerations when selecting a university and / or course.
• To better enable them to choose appropriate options for themselves.

OBJECTIVES:

At the end of the session students will be able to:

Show an understanding of the complex nature of selecting a university
• Understand ways in which universities can differ from one another
• Identify different and detailed factors upon which to base university selection
• Begin to decide the most important factors for them
 DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITY MATERIALS TIMING

Introduction from facilitator/s. • NA • 5 mins

• This may include the whole class feeding back of what they currently • Flipchart/whiteboard and • 5 mins
think are the main factors affecting their choice of where to study. pen

• Organise class into groups, distribute materials and explain task. • Flipchart sheets and pens • 3 mins

• TASK: Working in groups students should brainstorm the topic area to • Flipchart sheets and pens • 10 mins
generate a list of the factors / considerations relating to it.
Topic areas:
1. Course
2. Accommodation
3. Social Life
4. Extra-curricular Activities
5. Location
Allocate one topic per group – if a sixth topic is required because of
class size, use ‘Finance’ (although this does tend to overlap with
elements from the other lists). If class is even larger, have two groups
per topic, and have them ‘compete’ in feedback.
Facilitator to input into individual groups as required (see attached
facilitator notes for list of anticipated elements).

• FEEDBACK: The groups feedback to the whole class on their topic area • 7 mins
with the facilitator getting the group and / or class to elaborate on per
important elements or pulling out points to clarify and present key topic
information / advice upon themselves.

• Questions and round-up. • 5 mins

 DIFFERENTATION MATERIALS TIMING

• If the class is unsure of the factors associated with choosing a university • OHP / PowerPoint • 10 mins
(eg. those very early in Year 12) an initial presentation on some of the projector if required
broad differences is advisable.

• If there is time for a second mind mapping exercise, only use ‘the • Flipchart sheets and pens • 10 mins
Course’ during the second session and have every group think around it.
This is generally the hardest topic and most useful to all.

• If the class completes quickly, they can transfer the information into a • Notepaper / worksheet
checklist of the elements that they feel are important to themselves – and pen
producing in effect a ticklist of university characteristics.