TBers,

http://nsse.iub.edu/NSSE_2013_Results_garbage/index.cfm

Here are some highlights from their press release:

First-year students spent an average of 14 hours per week preparing for class, and seniors averaged one hour more. Of this, six and seven hours per week, respectively, were devoted to assigned reading. Overall, about 55% of first-year students and 61% of seniors felt strongly (6 or 7 on a 7-point scale) that their courses challenged them to do their best work.

First-year students who participated in at least one high-impact practice (learning community, service-learning, or research with a faculty member) reported greater gains intheir knowledge, skills, and personal development, were more satisfied with their entire educational experience, and were more likely to say they would choose the same institution if they were to start over again.

Participation in high-impact practices also differed by major. Seniors majoring in education, health professions, and social service professions were more likely to take courses that included a service-learning component; and arts and humanities, communications, and engineering majors were more often asked to do a culminating senior experience such as a capstone course or senior project.

On average, seniors in engineering and biology were most engaged in collaborative learning, while their peers majoring in arts and humanities, social sciences, and social service professions had the lowest levels.

Only 40% of students identified an academic advisor as their primary source of advice regarding academic plans. About one-third of first-year students and 18% of seniors identified friends or family as their primary source of academic advice, and another 18% of seniors identified faculty members who were not formally assigned as an advisor.

Both learning with technology and courses that improved students' understanding and use of technology had a positive association with all four of NSSE's academic challenge Engagement Indicators.

Mr. James B. Greenberg
Director Teaching, Learning and Technology Center
Milne Library
SUNY College at Oneonta Oneonta, New York 13820

email: [log in to unmask]
phone: 607-436-2701
fax:   607-436-3677
Twitter: greenbjb

"Ignorance is curable, stupidity lasts forever"