scholarly journals A Comparison of Factors Related to University Students’ Learning: College-Transfer and Direct-Entry from High School Students

2015 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 168-192
Author(s):  
Anita Acai ◽  
Genevieve Newton

Articulation agreements between colleges and universities, whereby students with two-year college diplomas can receive advancement toward a four-year university degree, are provincially mandated in some Canadian provinces and highly encouraged in others. In this study, we compared learning in college-transfer and direct-entry from high school (DEHS) students at the University of Guelph–Humber in Ontario, using eight factors related to learning: age, gender, years of prior postsecondary experience, learning approach, academic performance, use of available learning resources, subjective course experience, and career goals. Our results show that while college-transfer students tend to be older than DEHS students, they do not significantly differ in either learning approach or academic performance. This is an important finding, suggesting that college-transfer programs are a viable option for non-traditional university students. We conclude that the academic success of college-transfer students is attainable with careful consideration of policies, such as admissions criteria, and the drafting of formal articulation agreements between institutions.  

2015 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-36
Author(s):  
Jo Stewart ◽  
Felice Martinello

In this follow-up study, college students who transferred to one Ontario university in 2008–2009 were compared to non-transfer students using several different measures of academic success at university. When compared to non-transfer students, college transfer students earned fewer credits each year, had lower GPAs, and were less able to earn credits from course attempts. The differences were small for students’ first and second years but larger in years three and four. Despite the lower GPA, college transfer students were not more likely than non-transfer students to be eligible for academic suspension. College transfer students also attempted fewer courses and were much less likely to persist to Year 4. By spring 2012 (after four years of university), the college transfer students were more likely than non-transfer students to have graduated, but their degree of choice was a 15-credit three-year degree (as opposed to a 20-credit four-year honours or non-honours degree). Policy implications are discussed.  


2012 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jo Stewart ◽  
Felice Martinello

Using data from several introductory-level courses at one Canadian university, community college transfer students were compared to transfer students from other universities and to non-transfer students on a number of measures of academic success. The three groups did not differ significantly in terms of course withdrawal rates, and final course grades for college transfer students were not significantly different from those of non-transfer students. However, students who had transferred from other universities received higher final grades. Mid-course grades and gender comparisons are discussed, as are policy implications and suggestions for future research.  


2010 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-34
Author(s):  
Quamrul H. Mazumder ◽  
Mary Jo Finney

Engineering is a complex field of study.  Declining enrollment in engineering programs in the United States is of concern and understanding the various factors that contribute to this decline is in order.   Fostering a higher level of student engagement with the content may foster passion towards engineering which could increase academic competency as well as sustained interest in remaining in the profession.  This study examined the role of passion toward engineering content on students’ overall academic performance in an introductory course taught to university and high school students.  A pre-test, post-test, weekly surveys and periodic classroom observation measured levels of passion in the student, classmates, and professor. Mid-semester feedback prompted the professor to adjust his teaching for the purpose of infusing greater student passion towards the content. Results suggest that student passion in both settings fluctuated widely from week to week perhaps due to variable interest in the specific topic.  Overall, high school students’ level of passion remained more stable than that of university students and they performed better academically. Among university students, higher passion was not linked to higher academic performance.  Professor’s passion was highly valued by students though it did not increase their own passion.  


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