Changes in conceptions of learning for indigenous Australian university students

Background. Conceptions of learning have been investigated for students in higher. education in different countries. Some studies found that students' conceptions change and develop over time while others have found no change s. Investigating conceptions of learning for Australian Aboriginal and Torr es Strait Islander university students is a relatively new area of research . Aims. This study set out to investigate conceptions of learning for Aborigi nal and Torres Strait Islander university students during the first two yea rs of their undergraduate degree courses in three Australian universities. Conceptions for each year were compared. Knowing, more about learning as co nceived by this cultural group may facilitate more productive higher educat ional experiences. Sample. The sample comprised 17 students studying various degrees; Il were male and 6 were female. Ages ranged from 18 to 48 years; mean age was 26 ye ars. Method. This was a phenomenographic, longitudinal study. Individual semistr uctured interviews were conducted each year to ascertain students' concepti ons of learning. Conceptions for second year were derived independently of those From first year. A comparative analysis then took place to determine ally changes. Results. These students held conceptions of learning that were similar to t hose of other university students; however there were some intrinsic differ ences. On a group level, conceptions changed somewhat over the two years as did core conceptions reported by some individual students. Some students a lso exhibited a greater awareness of learning during their second year that resulted in three dimensions of changed awareness. Conclusions. We believe the changed conceptions and awareness resulted from learning at university where there is some need to understand and explain phenomena in relation to theory. This brought about new understandings whic h allowed students to see their own learning in a relational sense.