2011 National Survey for Student Engagement (NSSE):
Sue Erickson
Carmen Williams
Office of Institutional Research
November 16, 2011
The National Survey for Student Engagement (NSSE) is the best known national project for measuring student engagement. The survey, administered by the Indiana Center for Postsecondary Research, measures the extent to which students engage in practices understood to be effectively linked with learning outcomes, personal development, student satisfaction, and graduation. Students actively involved in both academic and out-of-class activities have been found to gain more from the college experience than those who are not involved. In the spring of 2011, 2,031first-year (FY) students and 2,620 senior (SR) students were invited to participate in NSSE at UND. 548 FY students and 795 SR students responded to the survey, for a response rate of 29%. This was the sixth time UND has participated in NSSE.
NSSE summarizes results into 5 benchmarks. Select a category below:
Level of Academic Challenge
An institution’s ability to establish a challenging intellectual and creative environment for students.
*** UND seniors score a mean significantly lower than RU/H peers.
Component survey items include:
- Hours spent preparing for class (studying, reading, writing, doing homework or lab work)
- Number of assigned textbooks, books, or book-length packs of course readings
- Number of written papers or reports of 20 pages or more, number of written papers or reports between 5 and 19 pages, and number of written papers or reports fewer than 5 pages
- Coursework emphasizing analysis of the basic elements of an idea, experience, or theory
- Coursework emphasizing synthesis and organizing of ideas, information, or experiences into new, more complex interpretations and relationships
- Coursework emphasizing making judgments about the value of information, arguments, or methods
- Coursework emphasizing applying theories or concepts to practical problems or in new situationsWorking harder than you thought you could to meet an instructor's expectations
- Campus environment emphasizing spending significant amount of time studying and on academic work
Active and Collaborative Learning
The level at which students are asked to collaborate with others in solving problems or mastering difficult material
Component survey items include:
- Asked questions in class or contributed to class discussions
- Made a class presentation
- Worked with other students on projects during class
- Worked with classmates outside of class to prepare class assignments
- Tutored or taught other students, either paid or voluntary
- Participated in a community-based project (service learning) as part of a regular course
- Discussed ideas from your readings or classes with others outside of class
Student Interactions with Faculty Members
The extent to which students interact with faculty members inside and outside the classroom
** This benchmark was not evaluated in 2003.
Component survey items include:
- Discussed grades or assignments with an instructor
- Talked about career plans with a faculty member or advisor
- Discussed ideas from your readings or classes with faculty members outside of class
- Worked with faculty members on activities other than coursework, such as committees, orientation, or student-life activities
- Received prompt written or oral feedback from faculty on your academic performance
- Worked on a research project with a faculty member outside of course or program requirements
Enriching Educational Experiences
An institution’s ability to foster complementary learning opportunities both inside and outside of the classroom to augment academic programs.
** This benchmark was not evaluated in 2003.
Component survey items include:
- Participating in co-curricular activities such as organizations, campus publications, student government, and fraternities or sororities
- Practicum, internship, field experience, co-op experience, or clinical assignment
- Community service or volunteer work
- Foreign language coursework or study abroad
- Independent study or self-designed major
- Culminating senior experience such as a capstone course, senior project, or comprehensive exam
- Serious conversations with students of different religious beliefs, political opinions, or personal values
- Serious conversations with students of a different race or ethnicity than your own
- Using electronic medium to discuss or complete an assignment
- Campus environment encouraging contact among students from different economic, social, and racial or ethnic backgrounds
- Participate in a learning community or some other formal program where groups of students take two or more classes together
Supportive Campus Environment
The extent to which institutions cultivate positive working and social relations among different groups on campus.
Component survey items include:
- Campus environment provides the support you need to help you succeed academically
- Campus environment helps you cope with your non-academic responsibilities including work and family
- Campus environment provides the support you need to thrive socially
- Quality of relationships with other students
- Quality of relationships with faculty members
- Quality of relationships with administrative personnel and offices
2011 National Survey for Student Engagement (NSSE)
