1. The University of Texas-Pan American Susan Griffith, Ph.D. Executive Director National Survey of Student Engagement 2003 Results & Recommendations Presented by: Office of Institutional Research & Effectiveness S. J. Sethi, Ph.D. Assistant Director &

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

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.” Source: Pascarella and Terenzini, “How college affects students: Findings and insights from twenty years of research.”

7. Who Participated Nationally More than 730 different colleges/universities since 2000 49 states, DC & Puerto Rico 375 institutions in 44 consortia Data from more than 397,000 students YearColleges/ Universities 2000276 2001321 2002366 2003437

8. 4 Year Response Rates 2000200120022003 UTPA 34%29%35%30% Master’s Institutions 42%43%39%42%

9. NSSE Survey Results for UTPA 5 Areas of Effective Educational Practice Level of Academic Challenge Active and Collaborative Learning Student-Faculty Interactions Enriching Educational Experiences Supportive Campus Environment

10. Level of Academic Challenge Challenging, intellectual and creative work is central to student learning and collegiate quality. Colleges and universities promote high levels of student achievement by emphasizing the importance of academic effort and setting high expectations for student performance.

11. Class preparation. Coursework emphasis on analysis, synthesis, making judgments, application of theories or concepts. Level of work necessary to meet instructor’s 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. Academic Challenge Cluster Questions Include:

12. Level of Academic Challenge: Score Comparisons UTPAUT-SystemMaster’sNationalUTPAUT-SystemMaster’sNational

13. Level of Academic Challenge: Score Comparisons Freshmen Seniors

14. Students learn more when they are intensely involved in their education and asked to think about what they are learning in different settings. Collaborating with others in solving problems or mastering difficult material prepares students for the messy, unscripted problems they will encounter daily during and after college. Active and Collaborative Learning

15. 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 Active and Collaborative Learning Cluster Questions Include:

16. Active and Collaborative Learning: Score Comparisons UTPAUT-SystemMaster’sNational UTPAUT-SystemMaster’sNational

17. Active and Collaborative Learning: Score Comparisons Freshmen Seniors

18. Student-Faculty Interactions Students learn firsthand how experts think about and solve practical problems by interacting with faculty members inside and outside the classroom. As a result, their teachers become role models, mentors, and guides for continuous, life-long learning.

19. 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

20. Student-Faculty Interaction: Score Comparisons UTPAUT-SystemMaster’sNationalUTPAUT-SystemMaster’sNational

21. Student-Faculty Interaction: Score Comparisons Freshmen Seniors

22. Enriching Educational Experiences Complementary learning opportunities augment academic programs. Diversity experiences teach students valuable things about themselves and others. Technology facilitates collaboration between peers and instructors. Internships, community service, and senior capstone courses provide opportunities to integrate and apply knowledge.

23. 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.

24. Enriching Educational Experiences: Score Comparisons UTPAUT-SystemMaster’sNational UTPAUT-SystemMaster’sNational

25. Enriching Educational Experiences: Score Comparisons Freshmen Seniors

26. Supportive Campus Environment Students perform better and are more satisfied at colleges that are committed to their success as well as the working and social relations among different groups on campus.

27. 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

28. Supportive Campus Environment : Score Comparisons UTPAUT-SystemMaster’sNationalUTPAUT-SystemMaster’sNational

29. Supportive Campus Environment: Score Comparisons Freshmen Seniors

30. Recommendations Focus on Freshmen In these areas:  Academic challenge  Active & collaborative learning  Student-Faculty interactions  Enriching experiences

31. 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.

32. Questions & Discussion Contact Information: Dr. Susan Griffith: sgriffith@panam.edusgriffith@panam.edu Dr. S. J. Sethi: sjsethi@panam.edusjsethi@panam.edu Phone: 956-381-2383