National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE)

National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE)

Teaching-Based Research Group – April 8, 2010

Survey of undergraduate studentsFirst-year and graduating yearAssessing the degree to which students are engaged with their education and their institution

Higher levels of engagement have been linked to higher retention and graduation rates

NSSE Institute: http://nsse.iub.edu/html/pubs.cfm

National Survey of Student Engagement

UW first participated in 2004, as part of a consortium with the G10 (now G13)

UW participated with a full population survey in both 2006 & 2008, in a consortium of all Ontario universities

As a consortium we have been able to add additional questions to the NSSE survey which are presented to students once they have completed the main NSSE survey.

NSSE & UW

Level of Academic ChallengeActive and Collaborative Learning

Student-Faculty InteractionEnriching Educational Experiences

Supportive Campus Environment

NSSE Benchmarks

Level of Academic Challenge

First-year studentsGraduating year

students

UW Ontario Public Res. Int.

NSSE 20080.0

10.0

20.0

30.0

40.0

50.0

60.0

70.0

80.0

90.0

100.0

51.8 51.352.4 52.5


NSSE 20080.0

10.0

20.0

30.0

40.0

50.0

60.0

70.0

80.0

90.0

100.0

53.2

56.1 55.1 56.3

UW Ontario Public Res. Int. NSSE 20080%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Quite a bit41%

Quite a bit46%

Quite a bit47%

Quite a bit46%

Very much48%

Very much35%

Very much34%

Very much35%

To what extent does your institution emphasize each of the follow-ing?

Spending significant amounts of time studying and on academic work

Responses from first-year students

Very muchQuite a bit


10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

1% 1% 0% 1%

12%18%

13%17%

16%

22%25%

26%

18%

20% 23%22%16%

16%18%

16%14%

10%10% 9%

8%

6%5% 5%15%

7% 5% 5%

About how many hours to you spend in a typical 7-day week doing each of the following?

Preparing for class (studying, reading, writing, doing homework or lab work, analyzing data, rehearsing, and other academic activities)


30+ hr/wk

26-30 hr/wk

21-25 hr/wk

16-20 hr/wk

11-15 hr/wk

6-10 hr/wk

1-5 hr/wk

0 hr/wk


10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

10% 10% 8% 9%

31% 29%29%

31%

34% 36% 38%36%

25% 25% 25% 24%

During the current school year, how much has your coursework emphasized the following mental activities?

Memorizing facts, ideas, or methods from your courses and read-ings so you can repeat them in pretty much the same form.

Responses from graduating year s

Very much

Quite a bit

Some

Very little

During the current school year, how much has your coursework emphasized the following mental activities?Memorizing facts, ideas, or methods from your courses and readings so you can repeat them in pretty much the same form.Responses from graduating year students


10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

3% 2% 1% 1%

18%15% 15% 15%

45%

42% 43% 43%

34%41% 40% 41%

During the current school year, how much has your coursework em-phasized the following mental activities?

Analyzing the basic elements of an idea, experience, or theory, such as examining a particular case or situation in depth and considering its

componen

Very much

Quite a bit

Some

Very little

During the current school year, how much has your coursework emphasized the following mental activities?Analyzing the basic elements of an idea, experience, or theory, such as examining a particular case or situation in depth and considering its componentsResponses from graduating year students


10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

6% 4% 4% 3%

30%24% 24% 22%

38%

39% 40%41%

26%32% 32% 33%


Synthesizing and organizing ideas, information, or experiences into new, more complex interpretations and relationships.

Responses from graduating year

Very much

Quite a bit

Some

Very little

During the current school year, how much has your coursework emphasized the following mental activities?Synthesizing and organizing ideas, information, or experiences into new, more complex interpretations and relationships.Responses from graduating year students


10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

10%5% 6% 5%

30%

25% 25% 23%

35%

38% 40%39%

25%32% 30% 32%

During the current school year, how much has your coursework em-phasized the following mental activities?

Making judgments about the value of information, arguments, or methods, such as examining how others gathered and interpreted data

and assessing the so

Very much

Quite a bit

Some

Very little

During the current school year, how much has your coursework emphasized the following mental activities?Making judgments about the value of information, arguments, or methods, such as examining how others gathered and interpreted data and assessing the soundness of their conclusions.Responses from graduating year students


10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

6% 5% 3% 3%

23%21%

19% 18%

36%36%

37% 37%

35%39% 41% 42%


Applying theories or concepts to practical problems or in new situ-ations.

Responses from graduating year students

Very much

Quite a bit

Some

Very little

Active and Collaborative Learning


students


NSSE 20080.0

10.0

20.0

30.0

40.0

50.0

60.0

70.0

80.0

90.0

100.0

34.1 35.440.6 41.4


NSSE 20080.0

10.0

20.0

30.0

40.0

50.0

60.0

70.0

80.0

90.0

100.0

39.244.4

47.9 49.8


10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Often15%

Often22%

Often34%

Often33%

Very often6%

Very often10%

Very often16%

Very often22%

In your experience at your institution during the current school year, about how often have you done each of the following?

Asked questions in class or contributed to class discussionsResponses from first year students

Very oftenOften


2%

4%

6%

8%

10%

12%

14%

16%

18%

20%

Often4%

Often7%

Often10%

Often11%

Very often1%

Very often4%

Very often6%

Very often6%

Very oftenOften

In your experience at your institution during the current school year, about how often have you done each of the following?Participated in a community-based project (e.g. Service teaching) as part of a regular courseResponses from graduating year students


10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

Often35%

Often37%

Often36%

Often36%

Very often17%

Very often24%

Very often18%

Very often21%


Discussed ideas from your readings or classes with others outside of class (students, family members, co-workers, etc.)

Responses fro

Very oftenOften

In your experience at your institution during the current school year, about how often have you done each of the following?Discussed ideas from your readings or classes with others outside of class (students, family members, co-workers, etc.)Responses from first year students

Student-Faculty Interaction


students


NSSE 20080.0

10.0

20.0

30.0

40.0

50.0

60.0

70.0

80.0

90.0

100.0

21.9 23.6

32.3 32.6


NSSE 20080.0

10.0

20.0

30.0

40.0

50.0

60.0

70.0

80.0

90.0

100.0

29.333.0

39.9 40.8


5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

50%

Often14%

Often19%

Often28%

Often29%

Very often5%

Very often9%

Very often16%

Very often17%


Discussed grades or assignments with an instructorResponses from first year students

Very oftenOften


5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

Often13%

Often17%

Often23%

Often23%

Very often6%

Very often8%

Very often14%

Very often16%


Talked about career plans with a faculty member or advisorResponses from graduating year students

Very oftenOften


5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

Often9%

Often9%

Often12%

Often13%

Very often5%

Very often5%

Very often7%

Very often8%


Worked with faculty members on activities other than course work (committees, orientation, student life activities, etc.)

Responses f

Very oftenOften

In your experience at your institution during the current school year, about how often have you done each of the following?Worked with faculty members on activities other than course work (committees, orientation, student life activities, etc.)Responses from graduating year students


5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

Plan to do36% Plan to do

32%


32%

Done3%

Done3%

Done5%

Done5%

Which of the following have you done or do you plan to do before you graduate from your institution?

Work on a research project with a faculty member outside of course or program requirements


DonePlan to do

Enriching Educational Experiences


students


NSSE 20080.0

10.0

20.0

30.0

40.0

50.0

60.0

70.0

80.0

90.0

100.0

26.2 25.028.8 27.0


NSSE 20080.0

10.0

20.0

30.0

40.0

50.0

60.0

70.0

80.0

90.0

100.0

37.534.6

41.9 39.6


NSSE 2008 UW Ontario Public Res. Int.

NSSE 20080%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

Done64%

Done39%

Done56% Done

52%

Plan to do8%

Plan to do17%


22%


Practicum, internship, field experience, co-op experience, or clinical assignment


Plan to doDone



NSSE 20080%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

Done54%

Done56%

Done63% Done

59%

Plan to do13%

Plan to do15%


15%


Community service or volunteer work Responses from graduating year students

Plan to doDone


5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

Plan to do23%


22%

Plan to do25%

Done15% Done

10%

Done19%

Done15%


Participate in a learning community or some other formal program where groups of students take two or more classes together

Responses from first-year stud

DonePlan to do

Which of the following have you done or do you plan to do before you graduate from your institution?Participate in a learning community or some other formal program where groups of students take two or more classes togetherResponses from first year students


10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

2% 1% 2% 2%0% 1% 1% 1%1% 1% 2% 2%3% 3%4% 4%

6% 5%7%

6%

13%11%

14%

11%

37%

29%

32%

28%

37%

49%

37%

48%

About how many hours to you spend in a typical 7-day week doing each of the following?

Participating in co-curricular activities (organizations, campus publica-tions, student government, fraternity or sorority, intercollegiate or in-

tramural sports, etc.)Res

0 hr/wk

1-5 hr/wk

6-10 hr/wk

11-15 hr/wk

16-20 hr/wk

21-25 hr/wk

26-30 hr/wk

30+ hr/wk

About how many hours do you spend in a typical 7-day week doing each of the following?Participating in co-curricular activities (organizations, campus publications, student government, fraternity or sorority, intercollegiate or intramural sports, etc.)Responses from graduating year students

Supportive Campus Environment


students


NSSE 20080.0

10.0

20.0

30.0

40.0

50.0

60.0

70.0

80.0

90.0

100.0

55.1 56.059.7 60.0


NSSE 20080.0

10.0

20.0

30.0

40.0

50.0

60.0

70.0

80.0

90.0

100.0

49.9 51.6

55.5 57.0


10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

Quite a bit45%

Quite a bit44%

Quite a bit46%

Quite a bit44%

Very much26%

Very much26%

Very much30%

Very much31%

To what extent does your institution emphasize each of the follow-ing?

Providing the support you need to help you succeed academicallyResponses from first-year students




NSSE 20080%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

Quite a bit17%

Quite a bit21%

Quite a bit27% Quite a bit

25%

Very much4%

Very much7%

Very much10%

Very much10%

To what extent does your institution emphasize each of the following?Providing the support you need to thrive socially




10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

2% 2% 1% 1%3% 4% 3% 3%

6% 6%5% 6%

13% 12%13% 13%

23% 20%21% 21%

29%29% 30% 28%

25% 27% 27% 28%

Mark the box that best represents the quality of your relationships with other students


7 Friendly, Support-ive, Sense of belong-ing

6

5

4

3

2

1 Unfriendly, Un-supportive, Sense of alienation


10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

2% 2% 1% 1%

6% 5%4% 3%

11% 10%9% 7%

23%21%

22%19%

28%

26% 30%

27%

19%

22% 23%

26%

11% 13% 12%17%

Mark the box that best represents the quality of your relationships with faculty members


7 Available, Helpful, Sympathetic

6

5

4

3

2

1 Unavailable, Unhelpful, Unsym-pathetic


10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

4% 4% 3% 3%

9% 8%7% 7%

13% 13%13% 12%

30%25% 27%

25%

21%

22% 23%23%

15%17% 17%

18%

8% 11% 10% 13%

Mark the box that best represents the quality of your relationships with administrative personnel and officesResponses from first-year students

7 Helpful, Consid-erate, Flexible

6

5

4

3

2

1 Unhelpful, In-considerate, Rigid

First-year Graduating year

UW ON UW ON

Financial pressures or work obligations 16% 25% 20% 30%

Family/personal problems or obligations 11% 14% 12% 14%

Your academic performance at university 35% 28% 19% 15%

Difficulties getting the courses you need 2% 3% 6% 8%

Lack of good academic advising 6% 5% 10% 9%

Other academic or administrative obstacles 3% 3% 3% 4%

Language/cultural barriers 2% 2% 2% 2%

Other (students could specify their own obstacle) 8% 8% 11% 8%

Not applicable/you have faced no obstacles 16% 12% 18% 11%

Which one of the following factors poses, or has posed, the biggest obstacle to your academic progress?



NSSE 20080%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

Probably yes38%

Probably yes40% Probably yes

36%

Probably yes38%

Definitely yes45% Definitely yes

37%

Definitely yes50%

Definitely yes43%

If you could start over again, would you go to the same institution you are now attending?


Definitely yesProbably yes


10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Probably yes40%

Probably yes42% Probably yes

37%

Probably yes41%

Definitely yes46%

Definitely yes41%

Definitely yes51%

Definitely yes43%

If you could start over again, would you go to the same institution you are now attending?


Definitely yesProbably yes



NSSE 20080%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

Good42%

Good43% Good

40%Good41%

Excellent23% Excellent

17%Excellent

24%

Excellent26%

Overall, how would you evaluate the quality of academic advising you have received at your institution?


ExcellentGood


10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

Quite a bit29%

Quite a bit31%

Quite a bit33%

Quite a bit33%

Very much41%

Very much26%

Very much38%

Very much38%

To what extent has your experience at this institution contributed to your knowledge, skills, and personal development in the following

areas? Acquiring job or work-related knowledge and skills




UW ON UW ON

Improving the quality of classrooms or lecture halls 16% 16% 14% 18%

Improving the quality of course instruction by professors 34% 25% 34% 28%

Improving the quality of teaching assistants 26% 22% 17% 14%

Ensuring a better fit between course content, assignments, and tests/exams

26% 25% 21% 21%

Increasing the number of course offerings in your major 14% 21% 29% 34%

Increasing the number of course offerings outside your major 6% 8% 5% 8%

Reducing class sizes overall 15% 18% 12% 15%

Improving the quality of labs 5% 5% 9% 5%

Improving student access to information technology 2% 4% 3% 4%

Providing more current/relevant courses and curriculum 5% 7% 10% 10%

Changing the mix of lectures, seminars, tutorials, and labs 6% 8% 5% 6%

Increasing opportunities to learn more about global issues 10% 10% 11% 9%

Other (students could specify their own suggestion) 9% 10% 14% 14%

From the list below, please check up to 2 items you believe your university most needs to address to improve the student academic/learning experience in the classroom.


UW ON UW ON

Increasing contact with professors outside of class (e.g., office hours) 24% 26% 17% 19%

Expanding and/or improving the quality of academic support services (e.g., study skills, library skills, writing/math skills, academic advising, career advising, etc.)

25% 23% 16% 20%

Expanding and/or improving the quality of personal support services (e.g., counselling)

10% 13% 9% 15%

Providing students with more opportunities to undertake research with faculty

22% 21% 32% 32%

Improving the library collection 4% 8% 5% 12%

Improving library services (e.g., circulation, staff availability, Internet/computer availability, etc.)

3% 8% 6% 8%

Improving the quality/availability of study spaces 27% 30% 35% 34%

Increasing opportunities for international experiences (e.g., exchanges, study abroad)

14% 14% 15% 12%

Working to provide a better social environment for students 22% 21% 28% 18%

Other (students could specify their own suggestion) 6% 6% 9% 8%

From the list below, please check up to 2 items you believe your university most needs to address to improve the student academic/learning experience outside the classroom.

Questions?Thank-you

National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE)

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