MEASURING AND ASSESSING THE VALUE OF STUDENT ENGAGEMENT STRATEGIC ENROLMENT MANAGEMENT SUMMIT 2013 CALGARY, ALBERTA TUESDAY, MAY 7, 2013 Richard Wiggers, Executive Director, Research & Programs & Valerie Lopes, Research Consultant Informing the Future of Higher Education
WHAT IS HEQCO?
Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario • HEQCO’s creation was recommended in the Rae Review (2005) • It is an independent agency with a mandate to conduct research and give policy advice to the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) on all aspects of PSE • The primary focus is to employ evidence to influence policy 3 Informing the Future of Higher Education
HEQCO has completed or launched over 250 research projects Total Published Completed Underway Projects 1. Accessibility/Participation 32 12 16 60 2. Accountability/System Design 18 2 2 22 3. Learning Quality 34 28 68 130 Internal Research (Various) 32 2 6 40 Manuscripts 3 0 0 3 Opportunities to Innovate Fund (OIF) 1 1 8 10 Total 120 45 100 265 4 Informing the Future of Higher Education
Many current projects focus on teaching, learning and student outcomes Student Technology- Large Classes Services Assisted Learning Professional Work Graduate Development Integrated Studies Learning Collegiate AHELO NSSE Tuning Learning Assessment 5 Informing the Future of Higher Education
Student success is impacted by many different factors Course – Based Interventions STUDENT SUCCESS Student Services Teaching 6 Informing the Future of Higher Education
More recently HEQCO developed and released a national “how to” Guide • Based on a similar document developed by McMaster University • Endorsed by the Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Researching Teaching and Student Outcomes in Postsecondary Education: Education (STLHE) and the A Guide Canadian Association of College Susan Elgie With: Ruth Childs and University Student Services Nancy E. Fenton Betty Ann Levy (CACUSS) Valerie Lopes Karen Szala-Meneok Richard Dominic Wiggers • September 18, 2012 release 7 Informing the Future of Higher Education
STUDENT ENGAGEMENT
Canada already leads the OECD in PSE attainment University and non-university attainment for main OECD countries, percentage of population aged 25-64, 2006 35 Tertiary-type B education (Non-university) Tertiary-type A education (University) 30 23 24 25 20 15 10 5 0 9 Informing the Future of Higher Education
Ontario is achieving the goal of “mass education” in PSE Ontario Goal 70.0 67.5 Highest educational attainment 60.0 61.4 50.0 40.0 30.0 20.0 10.0 0.0 25-64 55-64 45-54 35-44 25-34 Trades cert. & registered apprenticeship Total College or CEGEP Total University 10 Informing the Future of Higher Education
The postsecondary student population is now much more varied Entitlement Strategic Surface Deep % Tentative Label sample Group 1 7.4% Memorizer with expectations 2.62 2.67 3.49 3.15 Group 2 15.1% Just puttin’ in time 2.85 2.71 2.99 2.30 Group 3 14.5% Strategist 2.90 3.50 2.80 2.80 Group 4 14.5% Relaxed student 3.22 3.28 2.41 1.88 Group 5 12.4% Non-strategic worker bee 3.43 3.03 3.05 2.86 Group 6 6.9% Driven to succeed 3.49 3.52 3.31 3.65 Group 7 17.3% Inquiring student 3.70 3.49 2.58 2.50 Group 8 11.8% Student scholar 4.07 3.86 1.99 2.06 Source: Schoner, V., Andrey, J., Jayasundera, R., Joakim, E. & Hambly, D. 11 Students’ Learning Syles and Sense of Entitlement (2011). Informing the Future of Higher Education
Engaged students are curious and have a passion for learning I found this course fascinating and I’m thrilled I had the opportunity to take it. I would love to have had this class all year and I would recommend it to anyone!. This has been one of the best classes I’ve taken in four years. 12 Source: metapreneurship.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/CollegeProfessorsMeme.jpg Informing the Future of Higher Education
Disengaged students don’t appreciate high academic standards Really needs a life! He is literally ruining my university career! Out to fail you to compensate He is a total ASS. for whatever he’s lacking . 13 Source: metapreneurship.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/CollegeProfessorsMeme.jpg Informing the Future of Higher Education
Millennials have a different view of the value of education 1969 1976 1993 2009 Essential goal: to formulate life values and goals for my life 71 62 52 50 Essential to learn to get along with people 76 66 47 38 1969 1976 1993 2009 The chief benefit is that it increases one’s earning power --- 44 57 67 Essential goal: to get training and skills for an occupation 59 67 70 73 Source: Arthur Levine, Diane R. Dean, Generation on a Tightrope: A Portrait of 14 Today’s College Student (2012). Informing the Future of Higher Education
One HEQCO study looked at the gap between expectations and reality Course Challenge Writing Higher-Order Thinking Skills Active Learning Collaborative Learning Out-of-Class Interaction Course Interaction Information Technology Disappointment Gap Diversity BCSSE-NSSE Student Success Support Misunderstanding Gap Gains in Practical Skills NSSE-FSSE Gains in General Education -30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30 40 50 Source: M. Mancuso et al., Disappointment, Misunderstanding and Expectations: A Gap 15 Analysis of NSSE, BCSSE and FSSE (HEQCO: 2010). Informing the Future of Higher Education
Helicopter parents are raising more “bubble wrap kids” 16 Informing the Future of Higher Education
More PSE students are uncertain about their direction Ontario Rest of Reasons for Leaving PSE Canada Didn't like it/Not for me 35.7% 30.3% To change schools or programs 35.2% 33.7% Health, personal or other reason 17.3% 20.5% Not enough money 3.1% 6.7% Wanted to work 3.1% 5.0% Marks too low 5.6% 3.9% Source: R. Finnie, S. Childs and T. Qiu, Patterns of Persistence in PSE (2011); 17 Academica, From Postsecondary Application to the Labour Market (2010); Government of NB, High School Follow-Up Survey (2007). Informing the Future of Higher Education
Quite a few students arrive in PSE unprepared academically Ontario College “A” 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Below College English 58.7% 59.3% 59.8% 59.3% 55.0% College English 39.4% 38.4% 38.2% 36.5% 41.0% Total Responses (Count) 6,150 6,409 6,380 6,834 7,179 18 Informing the Future of Higher Education
PSE isn’t even the equivalent of full - time work for most students 31.7 90+ 17.0 Overall University Grade Total Time at School 29.3 work 80 to 89 15.9 Total Time Studying 28.4 70 to 79 15.2 27.3 below 70 14.0 0 10 20 30 40 Hours per Week Source: Lori McElroy and Alex Usher, HESA, Measuring Differences in Academic Challenges 19 and Grades at Canadian Universities (PowerPoint presentation for CIRPA 2010). Informing the Future of Higher Education
Being “networked” today means being connected/disconnected 20 Source: W. Drexler (2008) Informing the Future of Higher Education
The Paradox of Choice 21 Informing the Future of Higher Education
HOW DO WE MEASURE IT?
What does student “engagement” look like? • Volunteering • Hours on campus outside of class • Curious • Enthusiastic • Showing up for things • Intentional • Actively participating • GPA 23 Informing the Future of Higher Education
What does student “engagement” look like? • Reflective • Doing school work • Empowered • Clarity in institutional pledge to students • Actively seeking learning • Confident • Active alumni • Internally motivated 24 Informing the Future of Higher Education
What does student “engagement” look like? • Institutional pride • Depends on the student • Classes are full throughout • Interest • Asking questions • Mental and physical health • Time and effort students devote to their studies and related activities…. 25 Informing the Future of Higher Education
What variables and factors encourage student engagement? • Passionate, engaged and well prepared faculty and staff • Mentorship • Activities that challenge • Timeliness • Student involvement • Instruction that is relevant to where students are at • Same level of commitment, etc. that we expect of students 26 Informing the Future of Higher Education
What variables and factors encourage student engagement? • Assuring that there is a fit when students come in • Physical space • Students have clear goals • Outreach to K-12 about what it is all about • Availability of learning resources (physcial space, etc.) • Relevant ways to deliver services • Mandatory voluntarism in the community 27 Informing the Future of Higher Education
What are the barriers to student engagement? • Time • Money • Collective agreements • Tired and uninspired faculty and staff • Conflicting commitments • Tired and uninspired students 28 Informing the Future of Higher Education
What measures of student engagement are you currently using on your campus? • Attendance • NSSE • NCHA • Participation in clubs and student leadership • Required to withdraw rates • Program satisfaction • Retention 29 Informing the Future of Higher Education
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