TEACHING & LEARNING: BROADENING THE FOCUS FROM THE TRAINING OF
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TEACHING & LEARNING: BROADENING THE FOCUS FROM THE TRAINING OF
TEACHING & LEARNING: BROADENING THE FOCUS FROM THE TRAINING OF TEACHERS TO THE ENGAGEMENT OF STUDENTS UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA VICE-PROVOST (STUDENTS) & VICE-PROVOST (ACADEMIC AFFAIRS) WINNIPEG, MANITOBA THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2013 Informing the Future of Higher Education Richard Dominic Wiggers Executive Director, Research & Programs INTRODUCTION What my parents think I do… Source: metapreneurship.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/CollegeProfessorsMeme.jpg Informing the Future of Higher Education 3 What my friends think I do… Source: metapreneurship.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/CollegeProfessorsMeme.jpg Informing the Future of Higher Education 4 What my students think I do… Source: metapreneurship.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/CollegeProfessorsMeme.jpg Informing the Future of Higher Education 5 What my colleagues think I do… Source: metapreneurship.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/CollegeProfessorsMeme.jpg Informing the Future of Higher Education 6 What I like to think I do… Source: metapreneurship.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/CollegeProfessorsMeme.jpg Informing the Future of Higher Education 7 What I actually do… Source: metapreneurship.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/CollegeProfessorsMeme.jpg Informing the Future of Higher Education 8 HEQCO HEQCO is an independent agency that tries to influence government policy Government Develop more effective policies Research Allocate funds more effectively Enhance quality and global competitiveness 10 Informing the Future of Higher Education HEQCO has three main research priorities Accessibility & Participation (including retention, underrepresented groups, etc.) Learning Quality (including student engagement, teaching and learning, etc.) Accountability & System Design (including KPIs, multi-year agreements, system design, etc.) 11 Informing the Future of Higher Education One of HEQCO’s first research projects looked at course evaluations Course evaluations typically include questions to students about the following: Course content Common uses for course evaluations include the following: Teaching improvement (faculty) Instructor’s communication skills Personnel decisions (PSE institutions) Student-Teacher interaction Course selection (students) Course difficulty and workload Teaching awards Assessment practices in the course Student self-assessment Informing the Future of Higher Education Source: P. Gravestock and E. Gregor-Greenleaf, University of Toronto, Student Course Evaluations: Research, Models and Trends (HEQCO: 2008). 12 Another early study looked at the gap between expectations and reality Course Challenge Writing Higher-Order Thinking Skills Active Learning Collaborative Learning Out-of-Class Interaction Course Interaction Information Technology Disappointment Gap BCSSE-NSSE Diversity Student Success Support Misunderstanding Gap NSSE-FSSE Gains in Practical Skills Gains in General Education -30 Informing the Future of Higher Education -20 -10 0 10 20 30 40 Source: M. Mancuso et al., Disappointment, Misunderstanding and Expectations: A Gap Analysis of NSSE, BCSSE and FSSE (HEQCO: 2010). 50 13 Most faculty still reported that they learned to teach by simply “doing” Informing the Future of Higher Education Source: Fred Evers et al., Faculty Engagement in Teaching Development Activities at Ontario Universities (forthcoming). 14 In 2010 Teaching and Learning became a research priority Researching Teaching and Student Outcomes in Postsecondary Education: A Guide Susan Elgie With: Ruth Childs Nancy E. Fenton Betty Ann Levy Valerie Lopes Karen Szala-Meneok Richard Dominic Wiggers 15 Informing the Future of Higher Education There are now 10,000 full-time faculty employed at Ontario universities 12000 10000 Other ranks (not elsewhere classified) Rank or level below assistant professor Assistant professor Full professor 8000 6000 4000 2000 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 0 16 Informing the Future of Higher Education The ratio of female faculty has grown in all disciplines 70% 60% 50% Education Visual and Performing Arts, and Communications Technologies Humanities Social and Behavioural Sciences, and Law Business, Management and Public Administration Physical and Life Sciences, and Technologies Mathematics, Computer and Information Sciences Architecture, Engineering and Related Technologies Agriculture, Natural Resources and Conservation 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 17 Informing the Future of Higher Education Faculty salaries have grown steadily over the past decade $140,000 Full Professor Associate Professor Assistant Professor $120,000 $100,000 $80,000 $60,000 $40,000 $20,000 $0 2000-2001 2001-2002 2002-2003 2003-2004 2004-2005 2005-2006 2006-2007 2007-2008 2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011 18 Informing the Future of Higher Education Faculty salaries also compare well to other professions Occupation Position Salary Banking, Credit and Investment Manager $102,000 Engineering Manager $113,000 Tenure /Tenure Stream $118,000 University Professor Lawyers Trade and Broadcasting $124,000 Senior Manager $124,000 Required Education ▪ Extensive Experience ▪ 4 Years of PSE ▪ 4 Years of PSE ▪ 10 + Years of PSE ▪ 7 Years of PSE ▪ Extensive ▪ 4 Years of PSE Experience ▪ 8 Years of PSE Dentists $132,000 General Practitioners & Family Physicians $133,000 ▪ 8-9 Years of PSE Goods Prod., Transport.and Construction Senior Manager $161,000 ▪ 4 Years of PSE Financial, Communication Senior Manager $162,000 ▪ 4 Years of PSE Judges $178,000 ▪ 7 Years of PSE Specialist Physicians $180,000 ▪ 8-9 Years of PSE ▪ Residency ▪ Extensive Experience ▪ Extensive Experience ▪ Extensive Experience ▪ Residency 19 Informing the Future of Higher Education But growth in the hiring of new faculty has recently slowed 8000 7000 6000 39 and less 40-54 55-64 65+ 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 20 Informing the Future of Higher Education Attempting to measure faculty workloads • Since the fall of 1999, when I was completing my doctorate, I have taught a total of 68 postsecondary courses • When calculated over those 14 years, that is an average of 4.86 courses per year Ontario University Full-Time Faculty Workload – Pilot Study Sciences Humanities & Social Sciences Total Research Active faculty average course load per year 2.6 3.4 3.0 Non-Active faculty average course load per year 3.4 3.9 3.8 Total average course load per faculty per year 2.7 3.7 3.4 Source: HEQCO, The Productivity of the Ontario Public Postsecondary System: Preliminary Report (December 2012). Informing the Future of Higher Education 21 Attempting to measure faculty workloads Graduate/Faculty Ratio, 2009-10 Student/Faculty Ratio, 2009-10 Rank Province Grad/FTF 1 2 QC BC 7.2 6.4 Rank Province FTE/FTF 1 ON 25 2 3 4 QC AB BC 22 21 21 3 ON 6.2 4 5 NS AB 4.5 4.4 5 MB 20 6 7 8 9 10 NS SK NB NL PE 17 17 17 16 16 6 MB 4.4 NB SK PE NL 4.2 3.8 3.7 3.7 5.9 7 8 9 10 Canada Source: HEQCO, The Productivity of the Ontario Public Postsecondary System: Preliminary Report (December 2012). Informing the Future of Higher Education 22 HEQCO has also published a number of SoTL related monographs • Teaching and Learning in Large University Classes (2011). • Teaching-Stream Faculty in Ontario Universities (2011). • The Role of New Faculty Orientations in Improving the Effectiveness of University Teaching, University Sector (2012). • Teaching and Learning Centers: Their Evolving Role Within Ontario Colleges and Universities (2012). 23 Informing the Future of Higher Education The Ontario government is also focusing on teaching quality Don Drummond, Commission on the Reform of Ontario’s Public Services (February 2012): • Flexible provisions regarding teaching and research workloads in collective agreements with faculty • Incentive systems to reward excellent teachers • Teachers rewarded for developing innovative methods of teaching and learning • Measure learning outcomes 24 Informing the Future of Higher Education The Ontario government is also focusing on teaching quality Office of the Auditor General of Ontario, 2012 Annual Report (November 2012): • A University’s most important mandate is that it does a good job of teaching its students and preparing them for the future workforce. • Work with faculty to encourage greater participation in professional development activities • Develop meaningful measures for student learning outcomes as a way to maintain teaching quality 25 Informing the Future of Higher Education Many current projects focus on teaching, learning and student outcomes Large Classes Graduate Studies AHELO TechnologyAssisted Learning Professional Development NSSE Collegiate Learning Assessment Tuning 26 Informing the Future of Higher Education But the quality of teaching is only one factor in “student success” Course–Based Interventions Student Services Teaching 27 Informing the Future of Higher Education INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS Institution size impacts on student engagement University Size Large Medium Small Very Small Very Supportive Supportive Neither Independence 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% % of Universities Informing the Future of Higher Education Source: McElroy. L. & Usher, A. HESA, Measuring Differences in Academic Challenges and Grades at Canadian Universities (PowerPoint presentation for CIRPA 2010). 29 Leave PSE Institutional Policies Switch Other administrative policies can also impact student retention Can repeat a previously passed course Later course withdrawal dates Flat fee course tuitions More generous tuition refunds Informing the Future of Higher Education Source: Martinello, F. Brock University, Academic Regulations, Tuition Refunds, and Student Persistence and Program Changes (PowerPoint presentation at CIRPA 2010). 30 Should institutions with high student retention rates be rewarded? Year 1 to Year 2 Retention Rates (CUDO 2011) 95% 93% 91% 89% 87% 85% 83% 81% 79% 77% 75% Source: HEQCO. Employing OUAC and CUPA data (2011). Informing the Future of Higher Education 31 It depends on the priority: access or retention? High School Average by Year 1 to Year 2 Retention Rate, by University (CUDO 2011) 96% Queen's 94% UWO Year 1 to Year 2 Retention Rate 92% Guelph Toronto 90% UW WLU OCAD Lakehead Carleton Brock Ryerson Windsor York Ottawa Laurentian 88% 86% McMaster 84% Nipissing 82% Trent UOIT 80% 76% 78% 80% 82% 84% 86% 88% 90% High School Average Source: HEQCO. Employing OUAC and CUPA data (2011). Informing the Future of Higher Education 32 STUDENT FACTORS Canada leads the OECD in overall PSE attainment 35 30 25 23 24 20 15 10 5 0 Tertiary-type B education (Non-university) Tertiary-type A education (University) 34 Informing the Future of Higher Education Ontario in particular is achieving the goal of “mass education” in PSE Ontario Goal Highest educational attainment 70.0 60.0 50.0 40.0 30.0 20.0 10.0 0.0 25-64 55-64 Trades cert. & registered apprenticeship 45-54 35-44 25-34 Total College or CEGEP Total University 35 Informing the Future of Higher Education Students are also more satisfied with their PSE experience 1969 1976 1993 2009 I am satisfied overall 62 71 79 79 I would rather be going to university than anything else 69 69 75 83 I am satisfied with teaching at my institution 67 72 81 87 1969 1976 1993 2009 My grade point average is A- or higher 7 19 26 41 My grade point average is C or less 25 13 9 5 I have taken a basic skills or remedial course --- 29 32 45 I work hard at my studies --- 86 89 93 Informing the Future of Higher Education Source: Arthur Levine, Diane R. Dean, Generation on a Tightrope: A Portrait of Today’s College Student (2012). 36 There are increasing numbers of “helicopter parents” 37 Informing the Future of Higher Education In turn, they are raising more “bubble wrap kids” 38 Informing the Future of Higher Education This shift in parenting seems to be driven by many factors • Growing fears about lurking dangers • Increased parental affluence combined with smaller families • Social pressure and expectation on parents • Technology (cell phones, Facebook, etc.) • More parents with postsecondary credentials • An amazing ability to forget the benefits of our own experiences and independence as young adults 39 Informing the Future of Higher Education More PSE students are uncertain about their direction Reasons for Leaving PSE Rest of Ontario Canada Didn't like it/Not for me 35.7% 30.3% To change schools or programs 35.2% 33.7% Health, personal or other reason 17.3% 20.5% Not enough money 3.1% 6.7% Wanted to work 3.1% 5.0% Marks too low 5.6% 3.9% Informing the Future of Higher Education Source: R. Finnie, S. Childs and T. Qiu, Patterns of Persistence in PSE (2011); Academica, From Postsecondary Application to the Labour Market (2010); Government of NB, High School Follow-Up Survey (2007). 40 More PSE students are having difficulties coping emotionally • “Fully a quarter of university-age Canadians will experience a mental health problem, most often stress, anxiety or depression.” • “Students seem to be under more pressure than ever from home. Part of it could be due to the fact that families are smaller.” • “Overprotective parents may think they’re helping their kids, but once these kids arrive on campus, small problems can seem overwhelming” Source: Kate Lunau, “The Broken Generation,” Maclean’s (September 10, 2012). Informing the Future of Higher Education 41 PSE students need “grit”: passion and a determination to stick with it • “It’s not just smarts, it’s the ability to stick with a task that makes a difference.” • “if you want to develop their character, you do almost the opposite: You let them fail and don’t hide their failures from them or from anybody else – not to make them feel lousy about themselves, but to give them the tools to succeed next time.” • “IQ matters a lot in terms of what your freshman GPA is, but graduating from college has much more to do with character strengths like persistence, perseverance and grit.” Informing the Future of Higher Education Source: Paul Tough, How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity and the Hidden Power of Character (2012). 42 NON-TRADITIONAL POPULATIONS Females and children of immigrants are more likely to choose university Predicted probabilities of enrolling in university 60% 55% 51% 50% 39% 40% 35% 32% 30% 27% 25% 27% 20% 10% 0% Informing the Future of Higher Education Source: Ross Finnie, Stephen Childs, Theresa Qui, Patterns of Persistence in PostSecondary Education: New Evidence for Ontario (HEQCO, 2012). 44 Universities have more of a mixed record when it comes to dropout rates Ontario University Year 4 Leavers Rate by Student Group First Generation PSE 14.0 Female Non First Generation PSE Male 12.0 Non Aboriginal 10.0 English outside Quebec 8.0 Disabled 6.0 4.0 French outside Quebec Non Disabled 2.0 actual average 0.0 Non Immigrant Rural High School Second Generation Non-Rural High School First Generation Low Income Family Two Parent Family Non Low Income Family Single Parent Family Informing the Future of Higher Education Source: Ross Finnie, Stephen Childs, Theresa Qui, Patterns of Persistence in Post-Secondary Education: New Evidence for Ontario (HEQCO, 2012). 45 The gender gap in PSE is growing %ever enrolled in university 60% 50% female 40% 30% male 20% 10% 0% 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 46 Informing the Future of Higher Education There still isn’t much attention being devoted to the issue in PSE 47 Informing the Future of Higher Education HOW MUCH LEARNING? Part of the gender gap is explained by study habits and reading skills M F My studying is very irregular irregularand andunpredictable unpredictable 38% 28% Books have Books havenever nevergotten gottenme mevery veryexcited excited 48% 32% I get a great deal of personal satisfaction from reading 39% 56% Over the years, books have broadened my horizons and stimulated my imagination 50% 64% I take very careful notes during class, and review them thoroughly before a test 52% 72% Source: Noel-Levitz, 2011 National Freshman Attitudes Report (2011)). Informing the Future of Higher Education 49 PSE isn’t even the equivalent of fulltime work for most students 31.7 Overall University Grade 90+ 17.0 Total Time at School work 29.3 80 to 89 15.9 Total Time Studying 28.4 70 to 79 15.2 27.3 below 70 14.0 0 Informing the Future of Higher Education 10 20 30 Hours per Week 40 Source: Lori McElroy and Alex Usher, HESA, Measuring Differences in Academic Challenges and Grades at Canadian Universities (PowerPoint presentation for CIRPA 2010). 50 Students are studying less, and learning less • 45% of students demonstrated no significant improvement in learning during the first two years of college • 36% of students demonstrated no significant improvement over four years of college • For students who show improvement, it is modest only • Main culprit is lack of rigor in terms of reading requirements and study (12-13 hours/week) Informing the Future of Higher Education Source: Richard Arum and Josipa Roksa, Academically Adrift: Limited Learning on College Campuses (2011)). 51 Students are studying less, and learning less Informing the Future of Higher Education Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: http://www.bls.gov/TUS/CHARTS/STUDENTS.HTM 52 Informing the Future of Higher Education 2010/2011 2009/2010 2008/2009 2007/2008 2006/2007 2005/2006 2004/2005 2003/2004 2002/2003 2001/2002 2000/2001 1999/2000 1998/1999 1997/1998 1996/1997 1995/1996 1994/1995 1993/1994 1992/1993 1991/1992 20% 1990/1991 25% 1989/1990 1988/1989 1987/1988 1986/1987 1985/1986 1984/1985 1983/1984 50% 1982/1983 1981/1982 1980/1981 1979/1980 1978/1979 1977/1978 1976/1977 The majority of full-time students are NOT working at part-time jobs Full Time Students Working Part-Time During Academic Year, Aged 18-24, Ontario 45% 40% 35% 30% University Men University Women 15% 10% 5% 0% 53 Deep Strategic Surface Entitlement Broadened admissions has resulted in more varied students % sample Group 1 2.62 2.67 3.49 3.15 7.4% Group 2 2.85 2.71 2.99 2.30 15.1% Group 3 2.90 3.50 2.80 2.80 14.5% Group 4 3.22 3.28 2.41 1.88 14.5% Relaxed student Group 5 3.43 3.03 3.05 2.86 12.4% Non-strategic worker bee Group 6 3.49 3.52 3.31 Group 7 3.70 3.49 Group 8 4.07 3.86 Informing the Future of Higher Education Tentative Label Memorizer with expectations Really needs a life! He is literally ruining my university career! Out fail youintotime compensate for whatever he’s lacking. Justtoputtin’ He is a total ASS. Strategist 3.65 6.9% Driven to succeed I found this course fascinating and I’m thrilled I had the opportunity to take it. to have had this class allstudent year and I would recommend it to anyone! 2.58 I would 2.50 love 17.3% Inquiring This has been one of the best classes I’ve taken in four years. 1.99 2.06 11.8% Student scholar Source: Schoner, V., Andrey, J., Jayasundera, R., Joakim, E. & Hambly, D. Students’ Learning Syles and Sense of Entitlement (2011). 54 Many students are already arriving in PSE unprepared academically Ontario College “A” 2006 Below College English 2007 2008 2009 2010 58.7% 59.3% 59.8% 59.3% 55.0% College English 39.4% 38.4% 38.2% 36.5% 41.0% Total Responses (Count) 6,150 6,409 6,380 6,834 7,179 55 Informing the Future of Higher Education Other symptoms of a new generation of “digital natives” • Students expect quick response of faculty to emails, etc. • Technology is invading the classroom in ways that distract • A growing number of students don’t understand why plagiarism is wrong • “What we’ve accepted as normal common sense we now have to spell out for students” • Students are more willing to follow rules, but need to have those rules clearly laid out for them Informing the Future of Higher Education Source: Arthur Levine, Diane R. Dean, Generation on a Tightrope: A Portrait of Today’s College Student (2012). 56 CREDENTIAL AS COMMODITY Millennials have a different view of the value of university education 1969 1976 1993 2009 Essential goal: to formulate life values and goals for my life 71 62 52 50 Essential to learn to get along with people 76 66 47 38 1969 1976 1993 2009 The chief benefit is that it increases one’s earning power --- 44 57 67 Essential goal: to get training and skills for an occupation 59 67 70 73 Informing the Future of Higher Education Source: Arthur Levine, Diane R. Dean, Generation on a Tightrope: A Portrait of Today’s College Student (2012). 58 Universities are reinforcing that link between credentials and jobs • Council of Ontario Universities (October 2012): #MyCareer – How Ontario university career services prepare students for the future • AUCC (August 2012): “bachelor’s graduates enjoy a $1.3 million advantage over the typical high school graduates and a $1 million more than the average career earnings of college graduates” • University of Regina Guarantee: “students agree to be assigned to a counsellor, to take job-training seminars, to volunteer or work and to maintain a minimum average” • “If they cannot find a job related to their field, with the university’s help, in the six months after they graduate, they will be given a year’s free tuition to come back and beef up on missing skills.” 59 Informing the Future of Higher Education Students must be reminded that jobs require more than a credential 12 Unemployment By Student Performance (Sample Of Recent US Bachelor’s Graduates) 10 Low Medium High 8 6 4 2 0 CLA scores Informing the Future of Higher Education Academic Engagement/Growth Source: SSRC, 2012 from Learning to Earning, 2012, presentation by Brent Herbert-Copley, SSHRC. 60 It is best to be frank with students about the outcomes of their decisions If universities were honest about the question of career opportunities and income, they would say this: • “The top performing students, particularly those in high demand technical and professional fields, have very good employment prospects and will likely make impressive incomes.” • “Students in more general areas of study and, particularly, those who fall short in skill level, motivation and work ethic, will likely struggle after graduation.” • “Plan accordingly.” Informing the Future of Higher Education Source: Ken Coates and Bill Morrison, “The Million-Dollar Promise,” Maclean’s (January 21, 2013).. 61 A FEW IDEAS… We need to rethink how we define and measure “Student Success” Access Barriers First Generation UnderRepresented Retention Persistence Engagement Credit Transfer Graduation Skills Acquisition Learning Outcomes Value-Added Employment Relevant Skills Satisfaction Income 63 Informing the Future of Higher Education Lessons from HEQCO’s previous research • AWARENESS: Many students who most need to be aware of the supplementary assistance and interventions available to them are not adequately informed • UTILIZATION: For voluntary interventions designed to promote student success, those who seek out assistance are often not those most at-risk • IMPACT: There are few “easy fixes” that clearly improve student performance, and the most common impacts are marginal, indirect or delayed 64 Informing the Future of Higher Education Some ideas and advice for faculty Integrate technology where appropriate Strive to engage students in their own learning Set and maintain reasonable but high standards Articulate clear learning outcomes Utilize transparent assessment practices (rubrics, etc.) Teach the fundamentals of research and writing Pay attention to the other basics (deadlines, plagiarism, etc.) 65 Informing the Future of Higher Education Ontario students indicated what made a teacher effective % of Students Selected Factor Delivers interesting, well prepared and organized lectures 83.7% Enthusiastic, entertaining or motivating in the classroom 74.6% Able to communicate the subject in multiple ways 52.4% Able to meet regularly with students 25.8% Clearly outlines expectations at the beginning of the semester 22.4% Students often do well in his/her course 17.2% A prominent researcher at the cutting edge of his/her field 13.2% Integrates technology well into the learning environment 6.9% Source: Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA), Ontario Results of the Canadian Student Survey (PowerPoint presentation, 2010). Informing the Future of Higher Education 66 Students were asked, if they could give one piece of advice to a teacher… • “Be patient. Good students are trying the hardest they can” • “Care about the students and the subject matter. We can tell!” • “Talking isn’t teaching. If you can only talk, and you can’t teach, please don’t become a teacher. That is all!” • “Remember what brought you to teach the subject at hand/be passionate about it. Having a passionate teacher/professor makes the material being taught much more interesting for the student” Source: Student Awards, 3M National Teaching Fellowship: Student Voices (2010) Informing the Future of Higher Education 67 Students were asked, if they could give one piece of advice to a teacher… “I would ask that they never stop learning themselves. That they keep up with their own interests and curiosities and continue learning so that they may use their experiences to inform their teaching and also refresh it for their own sakes” Source: Student Awards, 3M National Teaching Fellowship: Student Voices (2010) Informing the Future of Higher Education 68 Words matter, so could we also change the language? It isn’t a teaching “load” or “burden” A reduced course load shouldn’t be called a course “release” University teaching isn’t a burden; it is a “privilege” and a “responsibility”!! 69 Informing the Future of Higher Education Thank You! Richard Dominic Wiggers Executive Director, Research and Programs HEQCO (416) 212-3881 [email protected] Informing the Future of Higher Education