E-Portfolios

Author(s):  
Judith A. Giering ◽  
Yitna B. Firdyiwek

This chapter describes the experiences of a liberal arts college that is part of a large research university implementing e-portfolios with a focus on learning engagement. Using qualitative data collected over time and programmatic experience, the team assesses the depth of engagement their students are experiencing, to determine whether most students are using e-portfolios to engage in learning on their own, or only when prompted to do so by faculty within the confines of a single course. Too few students have taken full ownership of their e-portfolios and engaged with them as a meta-high impact practice. Implications of this finding suggest faculty using e-portfolios need to be intentional about student engagement at the meta-high impact level. Part of achieving this is developing further clarity on what it looks like when e-portfolios are designed to be used as a meta-high impact practice while applying more rigorous methods to determine when students have reached this level of engagement.

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 160
Author(s):  
Shari Lanning ◽  
Mark Brown

Higher education research indicates that student engagement is the most critical factor in retention programs for undergraduate students (Upcraft, Gardner and Barefoot, 2005; Tinto, 2012; Pascarella, Seifert, and Whitt, 2008). These studies illustrate that if students do not feel engaged, they are at high risk for leaving their institution prematurely. Among high impact practices, undergraduate research has been shown to have the most positive effects with regard to promoting student engagement (Kuh, 2018; Kuh, 2008). Herein we highlight the use of mentored research as a high impact practice in undergraduate education, Further, we call upon the education community to share their models, approaches, observations, and research findings related to undergraduate research initiatives.


2010 ◽  
Vol 3 (12) ◽  
pp. 33-40
Author(s):  
Chris Ward ◽  
Dan Yates ◽  
Joon Young Song

In this study, the authors examined the relationship between the various NSSE (National Survey of Student Engagement) survey items or classifications and the ETS Major Field Test (MFT) in Business.  The sample consisted of 87 business students at a small liberal arts college.  Many of the survey items were linked positively to the ETS Major Field Test.  The results suggest that MFT is a better measurement than GPA for NSSE.  As a noteworthy finding from the analysis, we need to mention that MFT is a better measurement of student engagement described in the NSSE rather than GPA. Therefore, it seems that the MFT is a valid external measurement of student engagement. In particular, the MFT shows a relative strength in assessing “Integration of Diversity into Coursework.”


2017 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 14-20
Author(s):  
James Parrigin

Purpose The author first gained experience with library instruction scheduling at a large research university library as an Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) graduate assistant. Design/methodology/approach The author would occasionally shadow the faculty librarians as they received instruction requests, which were vetted by an administrative assistant and entered into some mystical technology that would facilitate the reservations and populate a library staff calendar. Findings The author remembers it as a fairly mundane process that he did not think much of at the time. Social implications The author soon became an instruction librarian who was put in charge of orchestrating the multitudes of course-integrated one-shots at a small, private four-year liberal arts college. Originality/value The author thinks back to this experience and marvels at the humble instructional requests (e.g. “just show them JSTOR”) and the primitive tool that their library used for scheduling their sessions: a spreadsheet on our network drive.


2000 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 205-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark D. Winston ◽  
Haipeng Li

Although fostering diversity has been identified as a priority in librarianship, the evidence suggests that the majority of the programs related to diversity in academic libraries have been implemented in large, research university libraries. In this study of the liberal arts college libraries in the United States, data were gathered with regard to programs related to diversity awareness, staffing, information services, and library collections. Although the level of diversity-related activities in liberal arts college libraries has not been overwhelming, the evidence suggests that activities and programs related to diversity have been undertaken in some instances. In addition, the support of college administrators appears to be particularly important in encouraging these activities.


2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas G. Hutcheon ◽  
Aileen Lian ◽  
Anna Richard

To test the impact of the implementation of technology bans on students’ experience within a course, we collected data from four sections of Introduction to Psychology at a small liberal arts college in the northeast. In two sections, students were banned from using personal technology devices during lecture. In the other two sections, students were permitted to use personal technology devices freely during lecture. We found a significant reduction in student engagement but not in reported interest in psychology or perceived professor–student rapport for students in the technology-ban condition relative to students in the technology-permitted condition. In contrast to previous studies, we found no difference in final grade performance across condition. Although further research is needed, these results suggest that instructors should consider the composition of students in their course prior to implementing a technology ban in the classroom.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 215-238
Author(s):  
Elena G. van Stee ◽  
Taylor Paige Winfield ◽  
Wendy Cadge ◽  
John Schmalzbauer ◽  
Tiffany Steinwert ◽  
...  

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 447-470 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daisy Verduzco Reyes

AbstractThis paper compares the identity-formation processes of Latino students in three different college contexts (a liberal arts college, a research university, and a regional public university). Drawing on ethnographic observations, in-depth interviews, and surveys of members of Latino student organizations, I chart the distinct ways in which Latino students interact with one another and arrive at particular ethnic identities on different campuses. By applying ethnoracialization theory to mesolevel settings, I examine how students respond to external ascription as they co-construct and negotiate their ethnic-racial understandings. I identify three different patterns by which students deploy panethnic boundaries, specifically, as they adopt and define identity labels: inclusive Latino identification signifying solidarity above all, qualified Latino identification mediated through specific organizational membership, and the rejection of panethnic identities. I consider how the organizational context of each campus provides a distinct racial climate that mediates student interactions and potentially shapes the disparate identity outcomes that result. The findings suggest that, beyond providing academic experiences, colleges also provide Latino students with disparate lessons regarding who they are and where they fit in the ethnoracial hierarchy.


2019 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 229-248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen L. Anderson ◽  
Margaret Boyd ◽  
Katherine Ariemma Marin ◽  
Kathleen McNamara

Background: Service-learning has historically been seen as a high-impact practice that empowers undergraduates to develop essential learning outcomes. Most service-learning discussed within the literature occurs as a required element of a credit-bearing academic course. Purpose: This study explored what happens when service-learning is reimagined to be disconnected from a specific course and credit hours, and available via application to all undergraduates regardless of the liberal arts/science major or year in the college. Methodology/Approach: HyperRESEARCH was used to identify themes and categories from 45 sets of weekly reflections submitted by 36 participants engaged in reimagined service-learning projects across five semesters. Findings/Conclusions: Key findings reveal that not only do undergraduates develop essential learning outcomes as delineated in the existing literature, but in many cases, their understandings, and abilities to execute these skills, are deepened when service-learning is reimagined. Findings also reveal that undergraduates may experience service-learning differently depending upon year in college. Implications: Results from this study suggest that practitioners should investigate ways to reimagine service-learning, with specific emphasis placed on the differential ways college students at various stages in their undergraduate career experience, and learn from, service-learning.


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