Student engagement as a way of enhancing student success Erika Theron

Introduction – the study. The Private Hotel School. If the intent is to enhance student success, what role does a greater focus on student engagement play?

The role of student engagement in the current higher education environment

Changing higher education landscape. In times of change, higher education institutions have often been at the forefront of facilitating new values and socialising members of society to conform. Traditional lecture format no longer deemed adequate as the main approach to facilitate learning. Major changes: technological advancements, increased competition, greater accountability, proliferation of information.

Millennials / Gen z – who are they? Every new generation requires new inquiry into their learning behaviour. “… the benefactors of society’s heightened awareness of children” Typically: Empowered Ambitious Technologically inclined Achievement driven Desire for constant feedback Instant gratification Selective attention

Millennials / gen z – what we need to know. Assertive with good reasoning ability. Self-confident and optimistic. Think creatively about solving problems. Able to multitask. Comfortable with diversity. Prone to scepticism and will try to validate information. Tends to challenge authority. Some resist adapting to environment, instead they expect environment to adapt to them. Likely to quit tasks when they become uninterested, it takes too long or becomes too difficult.

Student success – defined Student success is not merely reflected by students’ cognitive ability, but also includes, sustained interpersonal relationships, personal and identity development, career readiness, maintained health and wellness, being a socially responsible member of society and being aware of diversity (Koljatic & Kuh, 2001). Non-cognitive variables of student success include positive self-concept, realistic self-appraisal, successfully handling the system, preference for long-term goals, availability of a strong support person, leadership experience, community involvement and knowledge acquired in the field (Sedlacek, 2004).

Student success – predictors Academic self-sufficiency Organisation and attention to study Stress and time management Involvement with campus activity Emotional satisfaction with academics Class communication

Student engagement – defined Students’ cognitive investment in, active participation in and emotional commitment to learning (Zepke, Leach & Butler, 2014). The time and effort students devote to activities that are empirically linked to desired learning outcomes as expected by the institution where they are enrolled as students (Henning, 2012). Key words: “active involvement”, “active participation”, “fully immersed in the topic”, “thinking critically and creatively and sharing ideas” and “enthusiasm” (Garrett, 2011:3). Students’ willingness, need, desire and compulsion to participate in and be successful in the learning process (Fletcher, 2014:1). The frequency with which students participate in activities that represent effective education practice (NSSE, 2003).

Student engagement - explained Students must learn to take responsibility for their own learning and be less dependant on the educator. Various types: Intellectual engagement Emotional engagement Behavioural engagement Physical engagement Social engagement Cultural engagement

Conclusion Millennials’ basic expectations: Proposed techniques: Variety Significance Autonomy Feedback Proposed techniques: Start class with mind warm-up Use movement Teach collaboration Use reflective practice Give clear and strict instructions Use questions Eliminate ‘dead time’ Use variety of teaching styles Incorporate technology Connect real world to classroom Be enthusiastic Give students choice Recognise student differences