The Institutional Environment
Because student involvement is so important, it is vital for an institution to create a culture not just a campus. It is quite reasonable to say that if a student was admitted into an institution because it was thought that the student had the potential to succeed, then there is a responsibility to put systems in place to enable them to be successful.
There are many forms of involvement. Research shows that student involvement on college and university campuses impacts student development and student learning (Moore, Lovell, McGann & Wyrick, 1998).
Institutions can increase opportunities for students to expand their level of involvement by creating an institutional environment that encourages student participation. Thus, administrators and faculty must foster the conditions that enable diverse populations of students to be engaged.
There are many forms of involvement. Research shows that student involvement on college and university campuses impacts student development and student learning (Moore, Lovell, McGann & Wyrick, 1998).
Institutions can increase opportunities for students to expand their level of involvement by creating an institutional environment that encourages student participation. Thus, administrators and faculty must foster the conditions that enable diverse populations of students to be engaged.
The National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) is the largest international collaboration of educationally relevant data on student engagement in higher education. The NSSE organized engagement indicators within four themes based of Effective Educational Practice (NSSE, 2013):
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The NSSE also reported on other areas called "High Impact Practices".
High impact practices include:
- Experiential Learning
- Learning Communities
- Research with Faculty
- Internship, Co-op, Field Experience, Student Teaching, or Clinical Placement
- Study Abroad
- Culminating Senior Experiences (capstone course, senior project or thesis, comprehensive exam, portfolio, etc.)
Institutions can draw upon the above indicators to empower students to become involved.
Dr. George Kuh talks about what is important to student success in this presentation:
References
Moore, J., Lovell, C. D., McGann, T., & Wyrick, J. (1998). Why involvement matters: A review of research on student involvement in the collegiate setting. College Student Affairs Journal, 17(2), 4-17.
National Survey of Student Engagement. (2013). A fresh look at student engagement: Annual results 2013. Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Center for Postsecondary Research.
National Survey of Student Engagement. (2013). A fresh look at student engagement: Annual results 2013. Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Center for Postsecondary Research.