1. NSSE Data Conversations
Learning with Peers
NSSE Data Conversations

2. Agenda Introduction to NSSE YSU Mission Overview
Collaborative Learning Data
Discussions with Diverse Others Data
Perceived Gains Data
Discussion & Recommendations

3. YSU Mission Mission Statement Core Values
“collaboration to enrich the region and the world”
“diverse educational experiences”
Core Values
“foster [students] personal, social, emotional, and career growth”
“work collegially and cooperatively to enrich the cultural environment”
“bring about the greater good of the collective whole”

4. NSSE Student engagement First-Year and Senior students (Spring 2016)
26% overall response rate
Benchmarked against “True Peers”
YSU NSSE Overview Webinar:

5. YSU’s PEER Comparison Group
Carnegie Classification
Pell Recipient %
Part-Time Enrollment %
Instructional Expenditures per FTE
Undergraduate Enrollment
ACT Scores of Incoming Students
Living On-campus %
First Generation %
Total Enrollment
Spent Budget on Research %
Austin Peay State University
California State University, Fresno
California State University-Chico
Cleveland State University
Eastern Michigan University
Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne
Jacksonville State University
Kean University
Lamar University
McNeese State University
Middle Tennessee State University
Northeastern State University
Northern Kentucky University
Sam Houston State University
Southeastern Louisiana University
Southern Oregon University
Texas A&M University – Commerce
Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi
The University of Texas at Tyler
University of Akron
University of Central Oklahoma
University of Memphis
University of Michigan-Flint

6. Respondent Characteristics
First Year
Seniors
% Students of Color (YSU = 19%)
14%
16%
% LGBTQIA Identifying 8%
% Students aged 24 & older 3%
21%
% Living in Campus Housing (YSU = 11%)
22% 5%
% First-Generation
55%
59%

7. Quality of Interactions with Other Students
Senior 2016
5.6 FY
2013
5.3

8. Learning with Peers First-Year Students Senior Students YSU Peers
Collaborative Learning
32.1
30.8
Discussions with Diverse Others
36.5*
40.1
Senior Students
YSU
Peers
Collaborative Learning
34.6*
32.4
Discussions with Diverse Others
40.8
41.7
* statistically significant difference point scale

9. Multi-Year Analysis Top-Performing NSSE Schools* Learning with Peers
First-Year
Senior
2013
2016
Collaborative Learning
28.7 h
32.1
31.4
34.6
Discussions with Diverse Others
39.0 i
36.5
40.8 =
Top-Performing NSSE Schools*
Learning with Peers
First-Year
Senior
YSU
Top 50%
Top 10%
Collaborative Learning
32.1
35.2
37.3
34.6
35.8
37.9
Discussions with Diverse Others
36.5
42.7
44.3
40.8
43.3
45.1
*Statistically significant difference between all top-performing indicators

10. Hours Spent Per Week: Senior 2016 FY 2016 FY 2013 Senior 2013 4.2 3.9
3.0
Senior 2013
3.0

11. Hours Spent Per Week: FY 2016 12.8 FY 2013 12.0 Senior 2016 9.8
9.7

12. Collaborative Learning
Question: During the current school year, how often have you done the following?
YSU
First-Year
Peer
Senior
Peer Senior
Asked another student to help you understand course material
2.6
2.5
2.5**
2.4
Explained course material to one or more students
2.7
2.9**
2.8
Prepared for exams by discussing or working through course material with other students
2.5*
2.6**
Worked with other students on course projects or assignments
* Statistically significant higher mean score from peer groups
** Statistically significant higher mean from peers ALL participating NSSE 2015 & 2016 schools

13. What Does The Research Say?
“Peer interaction has proven to be the most ‘potent sources of influence on growth and development during the undergraduate years’” (Astin, 1993, p. 398; Sulé, 2015, p. 213)
“Collaborative learning… has a positive impact on areas like academic motivation, political and social involvement, and openness to diversity” (O’Neill 2012; Ribera et al, 2012, p. 4-5)
“Most NSSE Engagement Indicators for first-year students were positively related to both first-year retention and six-year graduation rates The strongest relationship was for Collaborative Learning at .41 for both outcomes” (NSSE 2016 Annual Results -

14. Discussions with Diverse Others
Question: During the current school year, about how often have you had discussions with people from the following groups?
YSU
First-Year
Peer
Senior
Peer Senior
People of a race or ethnicity other than your own
2.8*
3.1
3.0*
3.2
People from an economic background other than your own
3.0
People with religious beliefs other than your own
2.7*
People with political views other than your own
2.9
* Statistically significant lower mean score from peer group

15. Discussions with Diverse Others
Question: During the current school year, about how often have you had discussions with people from the following groups?
YSU
First-Year
Senior
NEVER talked to people of a race or ethnicity other than your own
10% 4%
NEVER talked to people from an economic background other than your own 8%
NEVER talked to people with religious beliefs other than your own
11% 6%
NEVER talked to people with political views other than your own 7% 5%

16. What Does The Research Say?
“Most White college students:
are raised in predominantly White communities
attend predominantly White schools
experience their first regular interaction with students from other races within predominantly White colleges”
(Milem, Umbacj, & Liang, 2004; Orfield, Marin, & Horn, 2005; Sulé, 2015, p. 212)
“Before White students can participate in meaningful cross-racial relationships they must first comprehend White privilege and racism.” (Sallee et al. 2009; Sulé, 2015, p. 217)
“Cross-racial friendships and interactions are viewed as positive steps toward the reduction of racial prejudice and the expansion of critical thinking.” (Sulé, 2015, p. 219)

17. Overall Perceived Gains
Question: How much has your experience at this institution contributed to your knowledge, skills, and personal development in the following areas?
First-Year Students
% Responding Very Much/Quite a Bit
YSU
Peers
Working Effectively With Others
66%
64%
Understanding People of Other Backgrounds
55%*
60%
Senior Students
% Responding Very Much/Quite a Bit
YSU
Peers
Working Effectively With Others
75%
71%
Understanding People of Other Backgrounds
61%
62%
* statistically significant difference

18. Discussion & Recommendations
What stands out about the data? Is the data consistent with your experiences with students?
Why do you think Senior students are significantly higher than our peers in collaborative learning?
Why do you think YSU students are significantly lower than our peers in discussions with people of a different race and/or ethnicity?
What recommendations do you have for improvement?