2009 Assessment of the Learning Edge Academic Program (LEAP) Tony M. Lentz & Talia Carroll

LEAP Enrollment ’03 - ’09 June 18, 2009 Total Spaces 2009 = =

Administering the University Experiences Scale Slightly Modified from the 42-Item Questionnaire Developed by C. R. Logan, J. Salisbury-Glennon, and L. D. Spence, (2000) “The Learning Edge Academic Program: Toward a Community of Learners,” Journal of the First-Year Experience & Students in Transition, 12(1),

LEAP Assessment* *Total of “Agree” and “Strongly Agree” Responses

Survey Response (No Response Figures on Record for 2001)

26. LEAP is a Worthwhile Program (of 5) ‘09 Mean = 4.6, ‘08 = 4.5, ’07 = 4.6

23. I Am Glad I Enrolled in LEAP. (of 5) ‘09 Mean = 4.5, ’08 = 4.5, ’07 = 4.5

Early LEAP Assessment ’98 N = 201

Collaborative Teaching

27. Having Two Courses Together in my LEAP Pride Helped Me Learn Better in Both Courses (of 5) ‘09 Mean = 4.4, ’08 = 4.2, ’07 = 4.2

5. I Like to Take Courses Where Faculty Connect Material from Two or More Courses (of 5) ’09 Mean = 4.0, ‘08 = 3.9, ’07 = 4.0

4. I Think My First Semester Courses Will Prepare Me for Other Courses (of 5) ‘09 Mean = 4.4, ’08 = 4.5, ’07 = 4.5

3. Having Professors From Different Courses Coordinate Classroom Experiences is a Good Idea. (Of 5) ‘09 Mean 4.3, ’08 = 4.2, ’07 = 4.2

2. The Way Classes Were Structured Encouraged Me To Be An Active Participant. (of 5) ‘09 Mean = 4.3, ‘08 = 4.3, ’07 = 4.2

Life in the Pride

1. I Got Support From My Classmates When I Needed It. (of 5) ’09 Mean = 4.6, ‘08 = 4.5, ’07 = 4.4

41. Learning is Easier When You Live in the Same Residence Area Near the People with Whom You Take Classes. (of 5) ’09 Mean = 4.1, ‘08 = 3.9, ’07 = 4.1

17. I Participated in Social Activities With My Pride Regularly (At Least Once a Week). (of 5) ’09 Mean = 3.4, ‘08 = 3.2, ’07 = 3.2

25. Having My Pride Live Together, Take Classes Together, and Socialize Together Was an Invaluable Experience. (of 5) ’09 Mean = 3.8, ‘08 = 3.7, ’07 = 3.7

40. I Got Support From Others On My Residence Hall Floor When I Needed It. (of 5) ’09 Mean = 3.9, ‘08 = 3.7, ’07 = 3.9

7. I Had Opportunities to Work as Part of a Team in My Classes. (of 5) ’09 Mean = 4.5, ‘08 = 4.4, ’07 = 4.3

24. Being in LEAP Made the University Seem Smaller and Less Impersonal. (Of 5) ’09 Mean = 4.5, ‘08 = 4.3, ’07 = 4.4

Mentors

42. Living in the Same Residence Hall Area with My Mentor Made a Positive Impact on my Penn State Experience. (of 5) ’09 Mean = 3.3, ‘08 = 3.2, ’07 = 3.3

18. I Understood the Role of My Mentor. (of 5) ’09 Mean = 4.1, ‘08 = 4.1, ’07 = 4.2

20. I Interacted with my Mentor Regularly (At Least Once a Week). (of 5) ’09 Mean = 3.7, ‘08 = 3.6, ’07 = 3.8

21. I Discussed Academic-Related Questions With My Mentor. (of 5) ’09 Mean = 3.5, ‘08 = 3.4, ’07 = 3.4

22. My Mentor Helped Me Learn About University Resources (Library and Computer Technologies, etc.). (of 5) ’09 Mean = 3.7, ‘08 = 3.5, ’07 = 3.5

19. Having a Student Mentor Helped Me Adjust to the University. (of 5) ’09 Mean = 3.9, ‘08 = 3.9, ’07 = 4.0

Confidence

29. I’m Confident I Can Understand the Most Complex Material Presented By My Instructors In My Courses. (Of 5) ’09 Mean = 4.0, ‘08 = 3.9, ’07 = 3.9

30. If I Try Hard Enough, Then I Will Understand the Course Material (Of 5) ’09 Mean =4.4, ‘08 = 4.4, ’07 = 4.4

10. I Am Comfortable Using the Libraries At The University. (Of 5) ’09 Mean =3.6, ‘08 = 3.9, ’07 = 3.7

13. I Am Confident I Can Use the Library as a Tool for Learning and Research. (Of 5) ’09 Mean = 3.9, ‘08 = 4.1, ’07 = 4.0

14. I Am Confident I Can Use the Computer as a Tool for Learning and Research. (Of 5) ’09 Mean = 4.5, ‘08 = 4.6, ’07 = 4.6

6. I Have Improved My Ability to Critically Read and Analyze Various Kinds of Information. (Of 5) ‘09 Mean = 4.0, ’08 = 4.0, ’07 = 4.0

31. I Have an Uneasy, Upset Feeling When I Take an Exam. (Of 5) ’09 Mean = 2.9, ‘08 = 2.9, ’07 = 2.8

36. I Expect My Average Grade Will Be: (Of 5) ’09 Mean = 1.7 (B), ‘08 =1.7, ’07 = 1.7

Assistance

8. I Was Able to Get Help in Learning the Computer and Library Technologies Available on Campus. (Of 5) ’09 Mean = 4.2, ‘08 = 4.3, ’07 = 4.1

15. There Was Always Someone on Campus Who Could Help Me When I Had a Question or a Problem. (Of 5) ’09 Mean = 4.3, ‘08 = 4.3, ’07 = 4.3

16. I Had Help with Understanding How to Use the Services of a Large University. (Of 5) ’09 Mean = 4.2, ‘08 = 4.2, ’07 = 4.1

40. I Got Support from Others on my Residence Hall Floor when I Needed It. (Of 5) ’09 Mean = 3.9, ‘08 = 3.7, ’07 = 3.9

22. My Mentor Helped me Learn about the University Resources (Library and Computer Technologies etc.). (Of 5) ’09 Mean = 3.7, ‘08 = 3.5, ’07 = 3.5

9. I Used the Technology Available to Me (Such as Computer Labs, Library Search Programs, Internet, etc.) Often During LEAP. (Of 5) ’09 Mean = 4.2, ‘08 = 4.3, ’07 = 4.2

Study Habits

28. Getting a Good Grade is the Most Satisfying Thing for Me Right Now. (Of 5) ’09 Mean = 4.5, ‘08 = 4.4, ’07 = 4.3

32. When I Study for my Courses, I Go through the Readings and my Class Notes and Try to Find the Most Important Ideas. (Of 5) ’09 Mean = 4.3, ‘08 = 4.2, ’07 = 4.2

35. If I Get Confused Taking Notes in Class, I Make Sure I Sort It Out Afterwards. (Of 5) ’09 Mean = 3.8, ‘08 = 3.8, ’07 = 3.8

33. I Try to Work with Other Students from my Classes to Complete the Course Assignments. (Of 5) ’09 Mean = 3.8, ‘08 = 3.8 ’07 = 3.8

34. When Studying for a Course, I Often Set Aside Time to Discuss Course Material with a Group of Students from the Class. (Of 5) ’09 Mean = 3.4, ‘08 = 3.4, ’07 = 3.3

37. I Estimate that I Spent _____ Hours a Day Studying. (Of 5) ’09 Mean = 2.4, ‘08 = 2.3, ’07 = 2.4

38. I Estimate that I Spent ____ Hours a Week Doing School Work on the Computer. (Of 5) ’09 Mean = 4.0, ‘08 = 3.9, ’07 = 4.1

39. I Estimate that I Spent _____ Hours a Week in the Library. (Of 5) ’09 Mean = 1.6, ‘08 = 1.9, ’07 = 1.8

11. I Used Pattee/Paterno Library as my Main Library. (Of 5) ’09 Mean = 3.8, ‘08 = 4.1, ’07 = 4.1

12. I Used One of the Other Libraries on Campus as My Main Library. (Of 5) ’09 Mean = 2.1, ‘08 = 1.9, ’07 = 2.0