NSSE data confirm high level of student engagement at IC
According to recent research, Illinois College Ãå±±½ûµØ are more widely engaged in hands-on, high-impact learning activities — including student-faculty research, internships and service-learning — than their counterparts at other colleges.
Earlier this month, data from the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), conducted by Indiana University’s Center for Postsecondary Research, were released. The story behind the data, for IC faculty and staff, is that strategic initiatives meant to increase student engagement are working.
These results provide compelling evidence that Illinois College is actively engaging Ãå±±½ûµØ in learning that prepares them for success in 21st-century careers. NSSE data show our Ãå±±½ûµØ are having transformative learning experiences starting in their first year and continuing through graduation. IC Ãå±±½ûµØ are being empowered to apply classroom knowledge to professional situations and they have the guidance and support of faculty-mentors each step of the way. These are crucial elements of learning and student success.
Active learning experiences are proven by decades of research to have a strong connection to student learning and retention, and in cultivating the traits that today’s employers value: the abilities to read, write and speak effectively and the power to apply these skills in a professional setting.
First-year Ãå±±½ûµØ at Illinois College report high levels of learning engagement overall: 80 percent report participating in at least one instance of active learning, compared to 61 percent of Ãå±±½ûµØ who report having these experiences at other private colleges in the Midwest.
Twenty-two percent more of IC’s first-year Ãå±±½ûµØ participate in community-based projects in classes and 19 percent more report working closely with faculty-mentors as compared to first-year Ãå±±½ûµØ at comparison group institutions.
Illinois College seniors describe an even higher level of engagement over their college careers, with 100 percent participating in at least one high-impact learning activity. This result is better than those for the Midwest comparison group (at 90 percent) and higher than results of a comparison group comprised of arts- and science-focused colleges throughout the nation (at 96 percent).
IC seniors also describe a 35 percent higher rate of participation in a life-defining educational experience in their senior year than Ãå±±½ûµØ in the Midwest group and 26 percent more, comparatively, report participating in classes with a service-learning or volunteer component.
Seniors at IC also say they are experiencing greater faculty mentorship sustained throughout their college career, compared to Ãå±±½ûµØ at other colleges, with 17 percent more Ãå±±½ûµØ at IC reporting working with faculty outside of the classroom to plan their future careers.
Illinois College seniors rated their perceived gains in knowledge, skills and personal development as higher than their peers at other colleges in several categories, including: the abilities to speak and write clearly and effectively and the capacity to understand and work with people of different backgrounds.
NSSE surveys are a nationally respected standard used to measure student engagement at colleges and universities throughout the country. The independent survey is conducted at IC every three years and serves as a widely trusted source of information for incoming Ãå±±½ûµØ making their college decision. Results are also useful internally for colleges in evaluating their effectiveness.The powerful educational experiences measured by NSSE require a considerable commitment of time and effort by both faculty and Ãå±±½ûµØ, often working collaboratively in diverse groups.
The Midwest data comparison group is comprised of surveyed private colleges similar to IC throughout Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin. In 2017, 382,530 first-year and senior respondents from 636 institutions participated in the NSSE survey nationwide.