Program: National Student Exchange
Date: Tue Oct 16, 2012 - 11:02:40 am
1) Below are your program's student outcomes (SOs). Please add or update as needed.
The program provides opportunities for students to broaden their personal and academic experiences while experiencing new cultures, as well as for them to develop maturity, flexibility, independence, self-confidence, and understanding of other people in other settings.
2) Your program's SOs are published as follows. Please update as needed.
Program's Website. URL: www.nse.org Student Handbook. URL, if available online: www.nse.org Information Sheet, Flyer, or Brochure. URL, if available online: www2.hawaii.edu/~nse UHM Catalog. Page Number: 517 Other: www2.hawaii.edu/~nse/2012.htm (specific information/instruction site, for accepted incoming students)
Other: 3) Provide the program's activity map or other graphic that illustrates how program activities/services align with program student outcomes. Please upload it as a PDF.
4) Did your program engage in any program assessment activities between June 1, 2011 and September 30, 2012? (e.g., establishing/revising outcomes, aligning activities to outcomes, collecting evidence, interpreting evidence, using results, revising the assessment plan, creating surveys, etc.)
Yes
No (skip to question 14)5) For the period June 1, 2011 to September 30, 2012: State the assessment question(s) and/or assessment goals. Include the student outcomes that were targeted, if applicable.
We wished to learn the extent to which visiting students took advantage of their opportunities for formal study of other cultures and languages at UHM, as well as their enrollment in UHM's courses in Asian Studies, Pacific Island Studies, Hawaiian Studies, Ethnic Studies, American Studies, Women's Studies, and Political Science for the diverse perspectives of these courses in the Hawai`i setting. We were interested also in the academic achievements of students during their exchange year. In addition, we wanted to know the students' personal evaluations of the extent to which they were able to meet their own objectives, as well as the problems they encountered.
6) State the type(s) of evidence gathered to answer the assessment question and/or meet the assessment goals that were given in Question #5.
* STAR reports of each incoming student enrollment term and grades.
* A survey tool used for incoming and outgoing exchange students over the last 17 years (which has been shared with other campuses and is the basis for a national NSE-suggested experience evaluation form). On a 5-point scale, students assess their success in meeting their objectives academically, in cultural awareness, in social life, and in personal growth. In addition, they are asked to report their greatest problems in coming to the exchange school (getting housing, getting financial aid, getting needed classes), and what additional information they would like to have received besides that provided. They are given the opportunity to report other problems from a list of selections. Their assessments are used to modify communication and support.
7) State how many persons submitted evidence that was evaluated. If applicable, please include the sampling technique used.
STAR reports were obtained for 138 visiting student terms (106 fall and 32 spring). During this time period, 27 incoming students and 16 outgoing students submitted the survey.
8) Who interpreted or analyzed the evidence that was collected? Check all that apply.
Program faculty/staff member(s) Faculty/staff committee Ad hoc faculty/staff group Director or department chairperson Persons or organization outside the university Students (graduate or undergraduate) Dean or Associate Dean Advisory Board Other: 9) How did he/she/they evaluate, analyze, or interpret the evidence? Check all that apply.
Compiled survey results Used quantitative methods on student data (e.g., grades, participation rates) or other numeric data Used qualitative methods on interview, focus group, or other open-ended response data Scored exams/tests/quizzes Used a rubric or scoring guide Used professional judgment (no rubric or scoring guide used) External organization/person analyzed data (e.g., Social Science Research Institute) Other: Compiled STAR course and grades data.10) For the assessment questions/goals stated in Question #5, summarize the actual results.
For the assessment questions/goals stated in Question #5, these were the findings:
The 2011-2012 term enrollments showed the following:
Hawaiian language, Hawaiian Studies, or Hawaiian History: 46
Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Filipino, Chamorro, Samoan, Spanish, French, Italian, German: 38
Asian Studies, Pacific Island Studies, Americna Studies, Ethnic Studies, Political Science, Women's Studies: 45
Term Average Grades:
4.00 (or all A's): 10
3.50-3.99: 45
3.00-3.49: 41
2.50-2.99 19
2.00-2.49 14
Below 2.00: 9
In the survey, students responded to the question: "To what extent have you been able to meet your objectives in the following areas: Academic, Cultural, Social Life, Personal Growth. Rate from Not at All (1) to Very Well (5)
Averages of the responses were:
Academic: 4.54
Cultural Awareness: 4.77
Social Life: 4.35
Personal Growth: 4.60
Sample qualitative statements included:
"It was the best decision I have ever made. I loved every aspect of it and would do it again in a heartbeat." "I really enjoyed my time at UHM--it was a wonderful stay and learning experience." "The UHM faculty that I interacted with were very kind and knowledgeable--the friends I made were amazing. I learned more about Hawaii from a different perspective." "If only UHM offered my major (aviation), I would transfer immediately." "Thank you for everything. My experience here was amazing and I will be sure to recommend this program to everyone I know once I get back home." "This year was an incredible experience. I feel like I have really accomplished something in my life."
Negative comments are also useful for reporting to the office mentioned or revising communication. "The Wainani apartments always had a few maintenance problems, and not clear enough communication about check-out procedures." "It would be helpful to send out information about student groups on campus, supportive centers (tutoring, libraries) and information about laundry and print cards."
Outgoing students' average responses were:
Academic: 3.80
Cultural Awareness: 4.20
Social Life: 3.80
Personal: 4.00
They were also asked about specific problems they had, evaluation of the school they exchanged to, and whether they would recommend it to other UHM students for exchange. Over the years we have compiled such assessments of outgoing students for potential participants to consult in choosing an exchange school.
11) What was learned from the results?
For the most part, students succeeded in meeting their objectives in all areas. Other valuable information was gained from less positive responses, which are also shared with relevant campus offices for consideration.
12) State how the program used the results or plans to use the results. Please be specific.
One survey question addresses the greatest concerns students had before coming--getting campus or off-campus housing, getting financial aid, getting needed classes, or other.
Another question is "What additional information would you like to have received beyond that mailed or emailed to you?" Each year pre-arrival communication with students is updated based on these responses. The NSE Coordinator is the major liaison between individual students and Student Housing and Financial Aid Services, as well as with all academic departments in assisting students with course enrollments.
13) Reflect on the assessment process. Is there anything related to assessment procedures your program would do differently next time? What went well?
We feel that our assessment tool is effective in determining how students evaluate the achievement of their goals and in what way our support can be expanded or modified.
14) If the program did not engage in assessment activities, please explain.
Or, if the program did engage in assessment activities, please add any other important information here.
(Not necessarily fitting an activity matrix), information is provided for potential incoming and outgoing students at www.nse.org and www2.hawaii.edu/~nse Accepted students are sent most necessary forms and information through the website www2.hawaii.edu/~nse/2012.htm as well as through detailed email and attachments with registration instructions. A mandatory orientation is held for all incoming exchange students, the day before classes begin. (All the above are modified according to the findings of the annual surveys.) Careful attention to the details of communication modes listed above supports success in achievement of student goals for exchange.