Demystifying the scaffolding required for first-year physics student retention: contextualizing content and nurturing physics identity,

2018 ◽  
Vol 96 (4) ◽  
pp. xxix-xxxvi
Author(s):  
Laura Stiles-Clarke ◽  
Katarin MacLeod
Keyword(s):  
Student Retention ◽  
Physics Education ◽  
National Research Council ◽  
Retention Rates ◽  
First Year ◽  
Critical Element ◽  
Physics Courses ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Canadian Perspective ◽  
Undergraduate Physics Education

Graduates of physics degree programs are a critical element in the development of a scientifically literate, economically competitive society as discussed by the National Research Council in 2013 (Adapting to a changing world: Challenges and opportunities in undergraduate physics education. National Academies Press, Washington, D.C. 2013). This qualitative case study invited students at a university in Atlantic Canada to participate in a post-course survey to investigate what influenced them to major or to not major in physics. Sixty students participated in the survey portion of the study, of a possible 121, and the survey data was cross-referenced with data from two student interviews, one professor interview, and one laboratory technician interview. Results indicated that student participants were more likely to choose a physics degree program if they felt that they had enough interest in the subject matter, they had experienced good teaching, and they could see how to apply the degree to a career. In addition, a newly implemented, research-based laboratory curriculum proved beneficial, especially for female students. Fifteen percent of participating students continued into a physics major, which is more than the average of under 10% reported by Nicholson and Mulvey in 2016 (Roster of physics departments with enrollment and degree data, 2013. Focus on: American Institute of Physics. 2016. Available from https://www.aip.org/sites/default/files/statistics/rosters/physrost15.1.pdf ). This study provides a Canadian perspective on the choice to major in physics or not, which had been missing from the literature. Findings from this case could be infused into other first-year physics courses to boost student retention rates.

A Multilevel Approach to Assessing the Interaction Effects on College Student Retention

2009 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 287-301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haiyan Bai ◽  
Wei Pan
Keyword(s):  
College Student ◽  
Social Integration ◽  
Student Retention ◽  
Interaction Effects ◽  
Retention Rates ◽  
First Year ◽  
College Student Retention ◽  
Multilevel Approach ◽  
The Social ◽  
First Year Retention

The present study utilizes a multilevel approach to assess the effects of four different types of intervention on college student retention, focusing on the interaction effects between the student characteristics and the types of intervention. The program effects on a 3-year trend are also explored. The findings of the present study reveal that the social integration programs improved the first-year retention rates for female students, the advising programs and the social integration programs worked better in the first year for students from more selective colleges within the university, and the first-year experience programs had a significant lasting effect across the 3 years on retention for elder students and male students. It is also found that the advising programs were significantly more effective on the first-year retention rates than the general orientation programs. This study provides empirical evidence for researchers and administrators in higher education to improve the effectiveness of intervention programs for students with specific characteristics.

scholarly journals Development, Implementation and Students’ Perceptions of the Effectiveness of an Interdisciplinary For-Credit Subject to Help Students Transition to University

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heike Schütze ◽  
Jenna Bartyn
Keyword(s):  
Student Retention ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Retention Rates ◽  
First Year ◽  
Transition To University ◽  
First Year Students ◽  
University Experience ◽  
First Year University ◽  
Support Students ◽  
Academic Demands

The first year university experience is inherently linked to student retention and success. First year students are often unprepared for the academic requirements of university, which can result in stress, poor student outcomes and low student retention rates. Although there is considerable literature on the challenges students face when transitioning to university, there is limited research on successful interdisciplinary for-credit transition subjects that support students, particularly in Australia. An interdisciplinary for-credit transition subject for first year university students was designed, implemented and evaluated to determine students’ perceptions of its effectiveness in preparing them for the academic demands of university. Thematic analysis of 36 qualitative interviews with students was conducted. Students reported having gained knowledge and confidence in the essential academic skills required for university and therefore felt more prepared. Implementing similar subjects in other settings may provide a strategy to support students’ transition to university.

Effects of Hierarchical Mentoring on Freshman Retention in a Biology First-Year Experience Course

2018 ◽  
Vol 80 (3) ◽  
pp. 184-190
Author(s):  
Peter Cavnar ◽  
Claudia Stanny
Keyword(s):  
Student Retention ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Retention Rates ◽  
High Rate ◽  
First Year Experience ◽  
First Year ◽  
Freshman Retention ◽  
Stem Students ◽  
Retention And Graduation Rates ◽  
The Impact

Higher education must improve student retention and graduation rates to meet increased demand for STEM degrees in the workforce projected for the next ten years. The high rate of attrition among STEM students entering college compels institutions to implement strategies that improve student retention because more states now employ performance-based funding models with increased pressures to improve student outcomes, such as first- and second-year retention rates. We piloted a two-year hierarchical mentoring model as part of a first-year experience course developed for biology students (BioSkills) to increase retention rates among first-time-in-college (FTIC) students. We describe the mentoring structure we adopted and how the design of BioSkills supports and educates future biology professionals. Our findings show that FTIC students who participated in this program earned significantly higher first-year GPAs and were retained at higher rates than students who did not participate, which documents the impact of BioSkills as a successful first-year intervention. However, we were surprised that the benefit of BioSkills was not replicated among under-represented minority (URM) students. We briefly speculate on explanations for this finding. Lastly, we offer best practice suggestions for future implementation.

scholarly journals Testing the Effect of UNIV1000 on Retention in a Regional University in the US

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 198
Author(s):  
Agnitra Roy Choudhury ◽  
Mariano Runco
Keyword(s):  
Student Retention ◽  
Probit Model ◽  
Retention Rates ◽  
First Year ◽  
Economic Factors ◽  
Regional University ◽  
The Us ◽  
Market Opportunities ◽  
First Year Seminar ◽  
Perform Survival Analysis

Abstract Student retention is a major concern for many universities. We use observational data from a regional university located in Alabama to test whether taking a first-year seminar improves student retention rates. Using a linear probit model, we find that taking a first-year seminar course is negatively correlated with retention rates, after controlling for several confounding effects. We perform survival analysis and find that the students who take first year seminar courses have a better survival rate for retention than those that do not take the course. We also find that other macro and micro economic factors are equally important in improving student retention rates, such as labor market opportunities and competition from similar universities.

Collaborative Learning in the Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Classroom

2008 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolyn S. Potts ◽  
Sarah M. Ginsberg
Keyword(s):  
Collaborative Learning ◽  
Student Retention ◽  
Student Learning ◽  
Student Learning Outcomes ◽  
Retention Rates ◽  
Speech Language Pathology ◽  
Traditional Lecture ◽  
Language Pathology ◽  
Improve Student Learning

Abstract In recent years, colleges and universities across the country have been called upon to increase the quality of education provided and to improve student retention rates. In response to this challenge, many faculty are exploring alternatives to the traditional “lecture-centered” approach of higher education in an attempt to increase student learning and satisfaction. Collaborative learning is one method of teaching, which has been demonstrated to improve student learning outcomes.

Increasing undergraduate student retention rates

1995 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 161-172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Rickinson ◽  
Desmond Rutherford
Keyword(s):  
Student Retention ◽  
Undergraduate Student ◽  
Retention Rates

Identifikasi Miskonsepsi dan Tingkat Pemahaman Mahasiswa Tadris Fisika pada Materi Listrik Dinamis Menggunakan 3-Tier Diagnostic Test

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 128
Author(s):  
Lalu A. Didik ◽  
Muh. Wahyudi ◽  
Muhammad Kafrawi
Keyword(s):  
Diagnostic Test ◽  
Physics Education ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Full Understanding ◽  
Study Program ◽  
Electric Voltage ◽  
Quantitative Research Methods ◽  
Physics Courses ◽  
Basic Physics ◽  
Level Of Understanding

This study aims to determine the misconceptions and level of understanding of physics education students on dynamic electricity. The method used is descriptive quantitative research methods. The research sample was 33 students of the tadris physics study program who are currently taking basic physics courses 2 even semester 2019/2020. Data collection used a 3-tier diagnostic test. In the concept of current and electric voltage, students who are included in the full understanding category are 26% and 29% understand partially with the low category and the level of misconception reaches 45%. In the concept of ohm law and electrical resistance, it was found that students with a full understanding level of 23% and partially understanding 14% were in the low category and the level of student misconception showed the largest percentage, namely 63% with the high category. In the concept of electrical circuits, students with a full understanding level of 29% and partially understanding 50% and included in the medium category with student misconceptions showed the smallest percentage was 21% with the low category. As a whole, it shows that the average level of students' understanding and misconceptions on dynamic electricity material is still low with a percentage of 26% and partial understanding is moderate with a percentage of 31% and a misconception of 43% with a moderate category. Keywords: Misconception, level of undertanding, 3-tier diagnostic, electricicity.ABSTRAK.Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui miskonsepsi dan tingkat pemahaman mahasiswa tadris fisika pada materi listrik dinamis. Metode yang digunakan adalah metode penelitian deskriptif kuantitatif. Sampel penelitian adalah 33 orang mahasiswa program studi tadris fisika yang sedang menempuh mata kuliah fisika dasar 2 semester genap 2019/2020. Pengumpulan data menggunakan 3-tier diagnostic test. Pada konsep arus dan tegangan listrik, mahasiswa yang termasuk dalam kategori pemahaman penuh sebesar 26% dan paham sebagian sebesar 29% dengan kategori rendah dan tingkat miskonsepsi mencapai 45%. Pada konsep hukum ohm dan hambatan listrik didapatkan bahwa mahasiswa dengan tingkat pemahaman penuh sebesar 23% dan paham sebagian 14% dengan kategori rendah dan tingkat miskonsepsi mahasiswa menunjukkan persentase paling besar yaitu sebesar 63% dengan kategori tinggi. Pada konsep rangkaian listrik, mahasiswa dengan tingkat pemahaman penuh 29%, paham sebagian 50% dengan kategori sedang serta miskonsepsi mahasiswa menunjukkan persentase paling kecil yaitu 21% dengan kategori rendah. Secara kesuluruhan rata-rata tingkat pemahaman dan miskonsepsi mahasiswa pada materi listrik dinamis masih tergolong rendah dengan persentase sebesar 26% dan paham sebagian tergolong sedang dengan persentase 31% dan miskonsepsi sebesar 43% dengan kategori sedang.Kata kunci: miskonsepsi, tingkat pemahaman, 3-tier diagnostic, listrik dinamis

Shhh! No talking about retention in the library!

2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heidi Blackburn
Keyword(s):  
Student Retention ◽  
School Administrators ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Student Attrition ◽  
Retention Rates

Student retention rates have long been a topic among school administrators, but it is an issue barely mentioned in library circles. This article will discuss the role the academic library can play in increasing and maintaining student retention rates on campus. By focusing briefly on four main topics, including reaching out to students early and often, getting them in the library door and getting them to stay, the reader will be able to see the broad picture of how crucial libraries are to fighting student attrition.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document