The University of TexasPan American

1
The University of Texas-Pan American
National Survey of Student Engagement 2005
Results Recommendations
Presented by
S. J. Sethi, Ph.D. Assistant Director Office of
Institutional Research Effectiveness
November, 2005
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Overview

• What is NSSE?
• Its Purpose and Uses
• What does Research Show?
• NSSE Survey Results for UTPA
• Recommendations

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What is the National Survey of Student
Engagement (NSSE)? (pronounced nessie)

• National survey that assesses the extent to which
  first-year and senior students engage in
  educational practices associated with high levels
  of learning and development.
• Supported by grants from Lumina Foundation for
  Education and the Center of Inquiry in the
  Liberal Arts at Wabash College.
• Co-sponsored by The Carnegie Foundation for the
  Advancement of Teaching and The Pew Forum on
  Undergraduate Learning.

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Purpose of NSSE

• Measure how well we are doing.
• Provide a new way to look at teaching learning.
• Determine if student behavior and institutional
  practices are headed in the right direction.
• Assist in measuring the extent to which the
  university advances polices and practices that
  encourage student learning and development.

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Uses of NSSE Data

• Inform legislators accreditation teams on what
  we do best to promote student development.
• Look into processes on campus that might lead to
  increased student engagement.
• Foster institutional improvement initiatives.
• Promote effective educational practices.
• Zero in on factors that contribute to positive
  experience for students.

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What does Research Show?
Students who are actively involved in both
academic and out-of-class activities gain more
from the college experience than those not so
involved. Pascarella and Terenzini, How college
affects students Findings and insights from
twenty years of research. Engagement is a
critical factor in the educational process
because the more time and energy students devote
to desired activities, the more likely they are
to develop the habits of the mind that are key to
success after college. George Kuh, NSSE
director, Indiana University Bloomington.
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Who Participated Nationally

• More than 750 different colleges/universities
  since 2000
• 50 states, DC, Puerto Rico and Canada
• 500 institutions in 2005
• Data from more than 560,000 students in 2005

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6 Year Response Rates
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NSSE Survey Resultsfor UTPA
5 Areas of Effective Educational Practice

• Level of Academic Challenge
• Active and Collaborative Learning
• Student-Faculty Interactions
• Enriching Educational Experiences
• Supportive Campus Environment

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Academic Challenge ClusterQuestions Include

• Class preparation.
• Coursework emphasis on analysis, synthesis,
  making judgments, application of theories or
  concepts.
• Level of work necessary to meet instructors
  expectations.
• Campus emphasis on study time and academic work.
• Number of assigned textbooks, etc.
• Number of written papers of 20 pages 5-19
  pages, 1-5 pages.

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Level of Academic Challenge Score Comparisons
Masters
National
Masters
National
UT-System
UT-System
UTPA
UTPA
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Level of Academic Challenge Score Comparisons
Freshmen
Seniors
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Level of Academic Challenge 2005 vs. 2001
(Statistically significant differences between
UTPA and other Masters Level Institutions)
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Active and Collaborative Learning
ClusterQuestions Include

• Class participation
• Class presentations
• Working with other students on projects
• Tutoring/teaching other students
• Participation in community-based project as part
  of course
• Discussion of ideas from readings/courses outside
  of class

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Active and Collaborative Learning Score
Comparisons
Masters
National
Masters
National
UT-System
UT-System
UTPA
UTPA
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Active and Collaborative Learning Score
Comparisons
Freshmen
Seniors
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Active Collaborative Learning 2005 vs. 2001
(Statistically significant differences between
UTPA and other Masters Level Institutions)
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Student-Faculty Interaction Cluster Includes
Questions on

• Discussing grades/assignments with instructor
• Discussing career plans with faculty
  member/advisor
• Discussing class work with faculty outside of
  class
• Working with faculty on university activities
  other than coursework
• Receiving prompt feedback from faculty on
  academic performance
• Working with faculty on research project outside
  of course requirements

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Student-Faculty Interaction Score Comparisons
Masters
National
Masters
National
UT-System
UT-System
UTPA
UTPA
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Student-Faculty Interaction Score Comparisons
Freshmen
Seniors
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Student Faculty Interaction 2005 vs. 20010
(Statistically significant differences between
UTPA and other Masters Level Institutions)
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Enriching Educational Experiences Cluster
Includes Questions on

• Co-curricular activities
• Practicum, internship, clinical assignment, etc.
• Community service, volunteer
• Foreign language, study abroad
• Independent study, self-designed major
• Culminating senior experience
• Conversations with students of different beliefs,
  ethnicity
• Use of electronic technology to discuss/complete
  assignments
• Campus environment that encourages contact among
  students of different backgrounds.

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Enriching Educational Experiences Score
Comparisons
Masters
National
Masters
National
UT-System
UT-System
UTPA
UTPA
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Enriching Educational Experiences Score
Comparisons
Freshmen
Seniors
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Enriching Educational Experiences 2005 vs. 2001
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Enriching Educational Experiences 2005 vs. 2001
(Statistically significant differences between
UTPA and other Masters Level Institutions)
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Supportive Campus Environment Cluster Includes
Questions on

• Campus support for
• academic success
• coping with non-academic responsibilities
• thriving socially
• Quality of relationships with other students,
  faculty members, administrative personnel/offices

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Supportive Campus Environment Score Comparisons
Masters
National
Masters
National
UT-System
UT-System
UTPA
UTPA
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Supportive Campus Environment Score Comparisons
Freshmen
Seniors
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Supportive Campus Environment 2005 vs. 2001
(Statistically significant differences between
UTPA and other Masters Level Institutions)
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Compared to other Masters level institutions our
students

• Participate less in physical fitness activities
• Participate less in activities to enhance their
  spirituality
• Spend less time relaxing or socializing (seniors
  only)
• Work more for pay off-campus
• More students provide care for dependents living
  with them
• More students commute to class
• Attend fewer campus events and activities

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Compared to other Masters level institutions
UTPA has contributed more to the following
educational and personal growth experiences

• Acquiring a broad general education (Freshmen
  only)
• Speaking clearly and effectively
• Using computing and information technology
• Working effectively with others (Freshmen only)
• Voting in local, state, or national elections
• Learning effectively on ones own
• Understanding oneself and people of other
  racial/ethnic backgrounds (Freshmen only)
• Solving complex real-world problems
• Developing a personal code of values and ethics
  (Freshmen only)

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Recommendations

• Focus on the areas of
• Academic challenge
• Student-faculty interactions (more for Seniors)
• Enriching educational experiences (more for
  seniors)

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Recommendations
NSSE findings should be considered in

• Strategic planning at the university, college and
  program levels.
• Identifying strengths and areas of improvement
  regarding student engagement at the program
  level.
• Identifying short and long term modifications
  that would enhance student engagement.
• Rewarding teachers that engage students more
  fully.
• Modifying course requirements and/or course
  delivery to respond to concerns identified in the
  NSSE results.

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Questions Discussion
Contact Information Dr. S. J. Sethi
sjsethi_at_utpa.edu Phone [phone] This
presentation is online at http//www.oire.panam.e
du/publications/nsse2005.ppt