Institutional Research & Assessment

Frequency of Active Learning

Respondents indicated how often they participated in active learning experiences using a 4-point scale (1 = never, 2 = sometimes, 3 = often, & 4 = very often). Figure 2 arrays responses from senior students in ascending order. SUU seniors worked most often on papers or projects that required the integration of ideas and information from various sources. Other frequent activities included discussing ideas from readings or classes with others outside of class; asking questions in class or contributing to class discussions; making class presentations; using media to discuss a class assignment; and discussing grades with instructors. Activities in which SUU students reported engaging never or occasionally included participating in community activities as part of a course; working with faculty members on activities other than coursework, and tutoring or teaching other students.

SUU seniors, more often than freshmen, talked about career plans with a faculty member or advisor (M = 2.57 & 2.00 respectively) and participated more often in community-based projects as part of their regular courses (M = 1.82 & 1.49 respectively). Seniors were also more likely to contribute to class discussions (M = 3.27 & 2.68 respectively) and make class presentations (M = 2.99 & 2.12 respectively). Indeed, senior student responses in these areas often ranked ahead of students at master’s peers and NSSE institutions. In addition, SUU seniors were more likely than master’s and NSSE seniors to have homework and problem sets requiring their time, and their campus relationships with other students, instructors and staff were more friendly, supporting and helpful. Ratings on quality of relationships were uniformly higher than at master’s peer and NSSE institutions. SUU seniors responded that SUU is particularly helpful in providing the support needed to thrive socially.

Figure 3 compares senior student responses at SUU, master’s, and NSSE institutions regarding participation in community activities as part of regular course work. While this may be a less frequent activity for seniors, it is more frequent at SUU than at comparable institutions.

| NSSE 2003 | Institutional Research |