Life Gain: Using a Co-creation Approach to Developing the Socio-emotional Intelligence of a Foundation Year Student Cohort.

Abstract

This chapter considers the transition of students from school to higher education, and the role that a Foundation Year can play in smoothing this change. Specifically, it reports on the development of the socio-emotional intelligence of students during this period, and questions if this better prepares them for undertaking a degree course. Using a co-creation approach, data relating to the socio-emotional intelligence of a small pilot cohort of business studies students studying were collected at the start of their Foundation Year, and again at the end, using a questionnaire survey. The data collected were based upon the students’ own self-reflections. A comparison of the data from this longitudinal study revealed the areas of personal growth that some students reported. Overall, the findings of the research were positive, and this pilot has demonstrated that this is a possible co-creation method for enhancing the socio-emotional development of Foundation Year students.