NSSE National Survey of Student Engagement

1
NSSENational Survey of Student Engagement

• What is NSSE?
• Whats wrong and how bad is it? Is the problem
  real?
• What can we do quickly and without extra money?
• What are the next steps?

2
What is NSSE?

• Voluntary survey of 1st and 4th year undergrads
• Done every 2nd year next in March 2008
• Many leading universities take part
• Answers on a numerical scale, about the years
  experience
• most questions request estimates of objective
  experiences
• some ask about subjective perceptions
• aggregate results correlate with better learning
• general consensus on the value of NSSE not a
  fad
• NSSE folks release the results in a professional
  manner
• this is helpful as it provides a range of
  reasonable values
• not intended to be a contest there is no
  single aggregate score

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Whats the problem?

• Our scores are a little below average
• statistically significantly below average, but
  just a little
• the range among good universities is small
• but we are toward the low end of that small
  range
• So while this is a real problem, in a sense it is
  a small one
• However, many see it as a big problem
• And we are aiming to be a leader
• But before jumping to conclusions, we should ask

4
Is the problem real or with NSSE?

• Our unique student body could affect scores
• there is supporting evidence for this
• so our peers may not be appropriate for direct
  comparison
• But thats academic perceptions may matter
  more
• Can we improve NSSE scores without hurting UBC?
• NSSE and Trek 2010 do have a lot in common
• But there is a challenge of timing and resources
• And, frankly, were not sure what to do

5
Improving NSSE and advancing Trek

• Longer term approach
• consult widely, strategize, build consensus (1
  year)
• reallocate, act, assess, modify, continue (2
  years)
• cannot help NSSE 2008 but could help NSSE 2010
• Shorter term approach
• quickly consult a bit employ existing resources
  (2 months)
• make changes that are largely non-controversial
  (6 months)
• this might improve NSSE 2008 even a small gain
  would be good

6
Shorter term approach for NSSE 2008

• The Executive Deans should quickly seek advice
  from students and faculty, and act in the next
  few months
• Key features openness, honesty, sincerity,
  clarity

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Shorter term exec action possibilities

• NSSEtune some current teaching initiatives
• TLEF?
• TAG?
• other?
• NSSEcommunicate with students, faculty, heads
• show we are already making progress
• convey that engagement is a shared
  responsibility
• Begin by speaking with students about NSSE
  (focus groups and cognitive interviews are
  underway)
• led by faculty members
• find practical ways to improve engagement

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Current teaching initiatives for consideration

• Teaching and Learning Enhancement Fund (tune
  info)
• TAG courses (tune info)
• Institute for the Scholarship of TL (info)
• Carl Wieman Science Education Initiative (info)
• Presidential Post Doctoral Teaching Fellows
  (info)
• Community Service Learning (info)
• International Service Experiences (info)
• Student Exchange Programs (info)
• International Student Initiative (info)
• Science 1, Coordinate Arts, Integrated Sciences
  (info)
• SHINE 2010 (info)

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Communication to students

• About NSSE and Trek 2010
• why this matters to us all
• we are seeking advice
• some improvements are already underway and being
  evaluated
• based on results and advice, more are planned
• Some suggestions for things students could do now
• advise us on how we can improve
• become more involved engagement is a shared
  responsibility
• Ideal form from students to students

10
Communication to faculty members

• About NSSE and Trek 2010
• similar to message to students
• but tailored to faculty members
• Suggested things faculty members could do now
• plan interactive classroom activities
• encourage students to come by during office hours
• solicit and act upon mid-course feedback
• learn more about engagement and find new ways to
  enhance it
• Ideal form From Faculty (incl. heads) to
  Faculty

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Summary of key points

• NSSE is a medium sized problem
• We dont yet know what to do about it
• Consultation, which is engagement, is key
• The process should be as bottom-up as possible

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Suggested discussion topics

• Should we NSSE-tune some teaching initiatives?
• TLEF, TAG, other
• based on fast consultation
• AVP Anna Kindler is leading a committee to
  discuss this
• Should we NSSEcommunicate?
• with students, faculty members, others
• based on fast consultation
• AVP Anna Kindler is leading a committee to
  discuss this
• Other short term action possibilities
  suggestions?