|Date 27-09-2011

Efforts to increase student succes

Walter Sisulu University 3rd International E-learning Conference

Jan Folkert (J.F.) Deinum, PhD

1

Agenda› The educational background in NL› Problems with student success rates› The solution (?): binding study advise› Results› Conditions to improve success rates› Teaching quality› How to move on?

3 Tier structure3

DEGREE STRUCTUREof the

EUROPEAN HIGHER EDUCATION AREA

SECONDARY EDUCATION

THIRD CYCLEDOCTORAL•PhD•4 years

SECOND CYCLEMASTER•Master’s degree•60 - 120 ECTS (1-2 years)

FIRST CYCLEBACHELOR•Bachelor’s degree•180 ECTS (3 years)

Study load in ECTS

› European Credit Transfer System (ECTS)

› 60 ECTS is approx. 40 weeks x 40 hours/wk

3° DOCTOR

2 ° MASTER

1 ° BACHELOR

2 ° 60 ECTS

3 ° 60 ECTS

1 ° 60 ECTS

2 ° semester

1 ° semester

The problem›In NL much freedom and flexibility for students: “academic” approach›The idea is: as much opportunities as possible

But›Low number of bachelor graduates finish within 4 years after enrollment (nominal = 3 years)›Lots of students take 6-7 years to complete their bachelor study›High drop out rates, especially in first year (Baars, 2011)

›Medical faculty: 15% drop outs in first year›Economics faculty: 40% drop outs in first year

›Solution: BSA, decreasing opportunities

What is a BSA ?›Decision Faculty Board to expel a student from his bachelor degree program›Rules•>=40 ECTS (67%) credit points in first year•60 ECTS (100%) of first year program by end of 2nd year

›Culture change•60 ECTS is normal

BSA frameworkanchor Letter 1

StartLetter 2

Overview 1Letter 3

First adviceLetter 4

Overview 2Letter 5Decision

date sep 2010 dec 2010 mar 2011 may 2011 aug 2011

year

# 5720 5606 4772 4749 4702

Effect on study success (yr)

Earlier deregistration

Results› More students more credits› Less students with no credits› Students deregister earlier

27 Conditions› Formal aspects (1)› Academic year (2-6)› Marking & registration period (7-12)› Study counseling (13-18)› Teaching, examination & QA (19-26) › Information(27)

27 Conditions - Formal1. Rules•>=40 ECTS (67%) credit points in first year•60 ECTS (100%) of first year program by end of 2nd year

27 Conditions – Academic year2. The academic year starts at the same time for all programs. In

2010-2011 that was on September 6.3. The second semester starts at the same time for all programmes

(February 7)4. The second semester ends at the same time for all programmes

(July 15)5. All regular resit opportunities will take place before the end of the

second semester.6. The Binding Study Advice will be issued in the last week of July at

the latest.

Additional: • Semesters are preferably divided in two blocks with equal load

(maximum three courses)• Resits must be scheduled shortly after the normal examination

27 Conditions - Administration7. Examination results must be sent latest 10th working

day after examination8. Student Administration Office will process all the

examination results within 3 working days9. Students get a written list of marks in teaching weeks

13 and 23. In week 45 they get the definitive advise10. Quick acceptance of students who reach 40 ECTS

(important for international students)11. Quick withdrawal of students who can no achieve 40

ECTS12. All discussions, advice and agreements regarding

students must be recorded in a digital support system

27 Conditions - Counseling13.Integrated approach to tutoring14.Lecturers also have duty to supervise students15.Every first year student will be allocated a

tutor/mentor16.A minimum number of contact moments must be

guaranteed (in sem 1: 1x2 weeks in groups)17.Every degree program must have at least 1

professional study advisor.18.Progress interviews with students must be registered

Conditions: prompt respons by lecturers (e-mail: 2 working days, 3x/wk phone office hour)

27 Conditions – Teaching & QA19.The first year is representative for the full program20.Programs must be evaluated21.At least 12 contact hours a week22.Balanced time table – no/little competition between

courses/tests/activities23.Quality of testing is guaranteed (when <50%

succeed -> Analysis !!)24.Assessment and testing must be transparant25.Proper communication about timetable/exams26.The feasibility and quality of the programs must be

the guiding principle behind the quality and quantity of the facilities.

27 Conditions – InformationFaculties:› Information on intranet/Blackboard (continuous)

› Meetings for staff› Informing first-year students

Central› Lettters to student› Digital newsletter› Verbal information and flyers at marketing events

› Etc.

From ECTS to prel. advice

Implementation factors›Listening›Staffing›Communication: clear, using real letters›Registration and administration (fast and correct). ›Involve administation staff !!! Ownership›Improve teaching quality

Registration requirements›Formal study registration›Study program and load›Course enrollment›Study results›Etc.

›Goal•Correct•Complete•Real time as possible

Teaching quality› All staff have to follow teacher training program› All courses (so also staff) are evaluated› No good evaluation means: training› No good teaching results: no promotion› Training based upon evidence based educational

results (research about effectiveness of education› Hattie, 2009› Jansen, 1996, 2004› Van den Berg & Hofman,2005

How to move on?› Nominal = Normal

› Binding Study Advice (BSA) of 60 ECTS (instead of 40)› Implementation of interactive/activating

education(often supported by e-learning) › Serial courses in stead of parallel courses› Compensatory testing / grading › Limitation of re-sits / re-exams› Early identification and characterization of dropouts

(early warning systems)› OpenCourseWare: open courses for online access, so

students better know what to expect (and hence, can make better decissions)

Discussion

Contact information:J.F. (Jan Folkert) Deinum, PhDUniversity of Groningen

j.f.deinum@rug.nl