Assessing and Enhancing Student Experience in Higher Education

Foreword: Student Diversity and Experience
Foreword: Digital Technology and Student Experience
Contents
Notes on Contributors
List of Figures
List of Tables
1: Introduction to the Twenty-First Century Student Experience: Issues, Trends, Disruptions and Expectations
Introduction
Student Experience in Context
Trends in the Last Decade
COVID-19 Forcing Major Changes
Disrupting Trends on the Student Experience
Student Expectations: The Next Decade
Structure of This Book
References
2: Emerging Trends and Insights on Student Experience
Introduction
Why Student Experience (Still) Matters?
A Changing Sector?
Defining Student Experience
Total Student Experience
Uniqueness of Students
How We Collect Data on the Student Experience?
Surveys
Learning Analytics
Current Issues in the Contemporary Student Experience
Students’ Financial Position
Serious Studying; Concern over Low Contact Hours
Managing Time
Mental Health
Sexual Harassment
Personal Progress
Predictors of Experience
First Year Experience: Is Transition the Key?
Demographics
Mode of Learning
Conclusions
References
3: People, Promise and Performance: Triangulating Student Demographics, Standards and Indicators in a National Higher Education System
Introduction
People: Who Enrols in the Australian System?
Promise: What Are the Standards to Which Providers Are Held?
Performance: Is the Promise Delivered, and How Do We Know?
Performance Versus Promise: Mapping Surveys to Standards
The Promises About Which the Performance Indicators Are Silent
The Performance Indicators We Do Not Promise
Triangulating the Outcomes: Are the Promise and the Performance Fit for the People?
Given Who the People Are Currently in the System, Are the Promises Appropriate?
Given the People Who Are Currently in the System, Are the Performance Indicators Appropriate?
Conclusion
Appendix: Australian Higher Education – Course Level Classification
Postgraduate
Undergraduate
Enabling
Non-award
References
4: Institutional Approaches to Engaging Students in Enhancing Their Experience
Introduction
Student Engagement: A Complex Construct
Drivers for a Strategic Approach
Partnership Working
Developing a Strategic Approach to Student Engagement
Student Centred Approach to Engagement
Case Studies
Conclusion
References
5: Engaging Students as Partners in Assessment and Enhancement Processes
Introduction
Models That Expand Our Thinking About the Role of Students in Higher Education Assessment and Enhancement Processes
Outcomes of Engaging Students as Partners
Examples of Engaging Students as Partners in Assessment and Enhancing Teaching, Learning, and Student Experiences
Example 1: Students and Staff Co-Designing Pedagogical Approaches to Enhance Teaching Practices
Example 2: Students Co-Designing Feedback and Assessment Approaches in Courses
Example 3: Students as Co-Inquirers in Institutional Research and Enhancement Projects
Short, Focused Case Studies of Models of Partnership in Quality Assurance
Importance of Values and an Ethic of Reciprocity
Conclusion
References
6: Transforming Spaces and Innovative Uses of Technology to Enhance the Student Learning Experience
Introduction
Student Digital Expectations
The Origins and Growth of Digitally Enabled Active Learning
Physical Active Learning Investment Examples Across the Sector
Perceptions of and Transitioning to Active Learning and New Spaces
Approaches to the Adoption of Active Learning and New Spaces
Are Investments in Active Learning Spaces Future Proof?
Conclusion
References
7: Improving the Quality of Teaching
Introduction
Use and Purpose of Student Feedback
Stakeholder Perspectives
Student Feedback and the Improvement of Teaching Quality: What Do We Need?
Sound Instruments
Taking into Account the “Bias” Question
Competent Administrators and Proper Data Collection
Consultative Feedback Strategies
Conclusion
References
8: How Can Student Experience Be Used to Raise the Academic Standards of Teaching?
Introduction
How Could Student Experience Be Used in Raising Academic Standards of Teaching?
Developing a Shared Language on Quality Teaching
Different Perspectives and Different Methods to Measure Quality
Focus on Larger Entities and Variation in Student Experience
Engage the Educational Leaders and Create a Feedback Loop
An Example of Using Research-Based Inventories to Raise Academic Standards
How the HowULearn Questionnaire Has Helped to Raise Academic Standards
Conclusion
References
9: Using Text Analytics to Understand Open-Ended Student Comments at Scale: Insights from Four Case Studies
Introduction
Using Text Analytics Approaches to Understand Qualitative Student Evaluation Data
Method and Approaches Used
Context and Setting
Instrument: Student Experience on a Module (SEaM)
Data Analysis
Results
Case Study 1: What Are Students Talking About?
Length of Student Comments
Who Are the Students That Comment?
What Are Students Talking About?
Case Study 2: Determining Sentiment of SEaM Across Modules
Case Study 3: Comparing Comments from Different Disciplines in One Core Qualification
Case Study 4: Keywords of High and Low Performing Students
Discussion and Conclusion
References
10: Social Media and Student Experience: What Do Google Reviews Say?
Introduction
Social Media in Higher Education
Online Reviews as an Information Source for Prospective Students
Social Media Marketing Efforts by Universities
Expressive and Instrumental Factors in Evaluation Studies
Aim of this Study
Methodology
Selection of Universities
Data Analysis
Findings
Common Themes and Concepts in the Online Reviews
Expressive and Instrumental Factors in the Online Reviews
Expressive Factors
Instrumental Factors
COVID-19 Related Issues
Discussion and Conclusion
References
11: Disruptive Trends in Student Experience Evaluations and Implications for Academic Staff Wellbeing
Introduction
Research on Negative Student Comments
Academics’ Responses to Negative Student Comments
Changes in Student Conditions That May Impact on Their Feedback
University Conditions That May Impact on Academic Perceptions
Survey Factors That Influence Student Comments
How Can Universities Improve the Quality and Professionalism of Student Comments?
Conclusion
References
12: Assessing and Enhancing the International Student Experience in Australian Higher Education: COVID-19 and a Better Future?
Introduction
International Student Experience Before the COVID-19 Pandemic
The Impact of COVID-19 on International Students
Responses from Australian Governments, Institutions, and Communities
Students’ Experiences in the US, UK, Canada and New Zealand
Future Policy Directions
References
13: Student Experience: Past Conclusions and Future Directions
Introduction
The Breadth of the Student Experience
Should Teachers Be Held Accountable?
Bias in Student Evaluations: The Role of Gender
Measuring Changes in Student Engagement
Are Open-Ended Questions a Good Thing?
Lectures and Lecture Halls
Approaches to Teaching
Evidence from Social Media
Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic
Future Directions
References
Index