Assessment in Action

Understanding Student Learning

Student Engagement Survey Customization: Perceptions of Transferable Skills & First-Year Experiences and Senior Transitions

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In advance of administering the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) in the Spring 2019 semester, the Office of Assessment sent out a poll to members of Assessment Council and CGEIP to get feedback on the survey’s customizable options.

On the NSSE, an institution can add up to two additional modules. Of the 15 responses we received, 8 selected the Development of Transferable Skills module and 5 selected the First-year Experiences and Senior Transitions module. The table below shows the final response tally and the related question.

NSSE Module Survey Results 10.19.18

NSSE also gives institutions four options to choose from for wording of the open-ended student comment question at the end of the survey. We asked respondents to help us choose which one we will use here at MSU. The options are as follows:
  • If you have any additional comments or feedback that you’d like to share on the quality of your educational experience, please enter them below. (Default)
  • What has been most satisfying about your experience so far at this institution, and what has been most disappointing?
  • Please describe the most significant learning experience you have had so far at this institution.
  • What one change would most improve the educational experience at this institution, and what one thing should not be changed?

Respondents preferred the final two options with 7 voting for “Please describe the most significant learning experience you have had so far at this institution.” and 5 voting for “What one change would most improve the educational experience at this institution, and what one thing should not be changed?”

The Office of Assessment is appreciative of all who took the time to give us your thoughts. We will be submitting the modules and prompt chosen by our colleagues to NSSE today, October 19.