Abstract
There has been increasing focus on the ways in which higher education institutes (HEIs) should support students. The year tutor system is one such approach to student support embedded within the Computing Programme of the Macao Polytechnic Institute (MPI). The year tutor system aims to support students by providing academic, pastoral and professional advice to students. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the year tutor system. A total of 183 first- to fourth-year students from the Computing Programme at MPI were involved in the study. Data were collected using mixed methodology of a self-administered Year Tutor Evaluation Survey (YTES), followed by semi-structured interview. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were used to analyse the data. Qualitative results revealed that personal tutoring can facilitate students' learning experience and therefore enhance student engagement in the Computing Programme. Students' experience of personal tutoring was positive. They are highly satisfied with the year tutor system. In conclusion, the year tutor system was found to be effective.
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Author Profile(s)
- First Author:
Dr. Edmund Yung received both his BSc in Mathematical Studies and MSc in Operational Research from the University of London and his EdD from the University of Leicester. Since 1989, he has been teaching mathematics and statistics in the Computer Studies/Computing Programme at the Macao Polytechnic Institute. His current research interest is multivariate data analysis like multiple regression and factor analysis.
Title: Associate Professor
Affiliation: Computing Programme, Macao Polytechnic Institute
Mailing address: Rua de Luis Gonzaga Gomes, Macao
Email: edmundyung@ipm.edu.mo
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Second Author:
Dr. Ines Lau received her BA in English from National Taiwan Normal University in Taiwan, MA in English Language Teaching (with Distinction) from University of Warwick in UK, and PhD in Education from University of Nottingham in UK. Since 2009, she has been teaching English in the Computing Programme at Macao Polytechnic Institute. Her current research interests include Educational Psychology, Motivations in English Language Learning, Learner beliefs about English Language Learning, and Task-based Language Learning.
Title: Lecturer
Affiliation: Computing Programme, Macao Polytechnic Institute
Mailing address: Rua de Luis Gonzaga Gomes, Macao
Email: ineslau@ipm.edu.mo
- Third Author:
Prof. Rita Tse received the Math/Computer Science degree from UCLA and the PhD degree from Hull University in 2004. Since 2006 she has been the Coordinator of the Computer Studies/Computing Programme at the Macao Polytechnic Institute. In 2016, she was promoted to be the Director of the School of Public Administration. Her current research interests include Ubiquitous Computing, Urban Sensing, Social Network-based Sensing, Casino Gaming Systems, and Course Design and Development.
Title: Director of School, Professor
Affiliation: Computing Programme, Macao Polytechnic Institute
Address: Rua de Luis Gonzaga Gomes, Macao
Email: ritatse@ipm.edu.mo
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