Instructors’ General Perceptions onStudents’ Self-Awareness

Frances Feng-Mei Choi

HUNGKUANG UNIVERSITY

DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH

Outline

Introduction

Literature review

Methodology

Results and discussion

Conclusion

Introduction

Statement of the problem

Research question

Purpose of the study

Importance and significance

1. A junior college is being upgraded in two phases, to an institute of technology initially and then to a university of technology.

2. One measure for promoting educational quality is a demand for a higher quality of students and students need an effective learning motivation.

Introduction

Statement of the problem

Research question

Purpose of the study

Importance and significance

Research Question

How do instructors in the University of Technology perceive the success of students’ academic self-awareness?

Introduction

Statement of the problem

Research question

Purpose of the study

Importance and significance

Purpose of the Study

The purpose of this study was to analyze the instructors’ perceptions of students’ self-awareness in the Universities of Technology. This analysis would provide indicators of instructors’ perceptions during advising process.

Introduction

Statement of the problem

Research question

Purpose of the study

Importance and significance

Importance and Significance of the Study

This study will provide valuable information to the Ministry of Education, in its role of educational administration and solidifying its relationships with its instructors.

Literature Review-1

Knight (2002) pointed out that teachers expect students to focus on professional disciplines that value procedural knowledge.

Nearly 30 percent of college freshmen take remedial course in mathematics, reading, or writing, and even the most elite institutions spend substantial resources to offer them (Zusman, 1999).

Shen (1998) and Huang (2000) emphasized the importance of systematic education reform evaluation.

The Taiwan Ministry of Education (2001, May) demonstrated that in the program of ‘Pursuing Excellence in Higher Educational Development’ it is the responsibility of higher education to guide social development, to cultivate higher level experts and to enhance the national competitive capability.

Literature Review-2

The literature review encompassed the studies and information relevant to the educational quality related to students’ academic preparation after implementing the higher educational reforms.

Methodology - Design

Quantitative research paradigm and descriptive / correlational methods

Population and sample

Methodology - Design

Quantitative research paradigm and descriptive / correlational methods

Population and sample

The population base for this study consisted of full-time faculty in 14 higher institutions.

Analysis and Statistical Procedure

a self-administered questionnaire was used and all demographics were compiled from Questions 1-6. Questions 7-12 were used to score respondents’ perceptions of students’ self-awareness. A positive perception was defined by at least 60% positive response rate within that domain.

Null Hypothesis

There was no experimentally important or consistent predictability of instructors’ perceptions on students’ self-awareness, when using demographic variables herein as predictor variables.

A Priori Definitions

Experimental importance. Experimental importance was defined as 60% correct predictability.

Experimental consistency. Experimental consistency was set at the = .05 level.

Results and DiscussionDistribution of Survey

Nine institutions100 x 6, 50 x 3

April 14 - 26, at Central

Taiwan

Return rate66% (497/750)

Results and DiscussionDemographics - 1

Age: 41 (26-63)

Years of teaching in HE: 11 (1-37)

GenderMale 65%, Female 35%

College affiliationScience/Eng 59%, Business 19%,

Liberal Arts 17%, Others 5%

Results and DiscussionDemographics - 2

Educational backgroundMaster 64%, PhD 31%, Bachelor 5%

Academic rankLecturer 65%, Assoc Prof 18%,Assist Prof 14%, Full Prof 2%

Question Answer Frequency Percentage

7. Students’ self-awareness has improved in general. Yes 69 14%

No 304 61%

Uncertain 123 25%

Total 496 100%

8. Students have sufficiently prepared themselves to meet the needs of changing society.

Yes 67 14%

No 259 52%

Uncertain 171 34%

Total 497 100%

9. Students are now more motivated in their chosen fields than prior to the educational reform.

Yes 116 23%

No 236 48%

Uncertain 145 29%

Total 497 100%

10. Students’ preparation for class has been improved. Yes 58 12%

No 332 67%

Uncertain 107 21%

Total 497 100%

11. Students are well prepared for the technology during the next five years.

Yes 60 12%

No 284 57%

Uncertain 153 31%

Total 497 100%

12. Instructors believe students are being well prepared for the future.

Yes 146 30%

No 344 70%

Total 490 100%

Table 1

Frequencies and Percentages of Students’ Self-Awareness

Table 2The Percentages of Positive Responses of Students’ Awareness

as Determined by Questions 7-12

Q7Quality

improved

Q8Preparedsociety

Q9More

motivation

Q10Preparation

for class

Q11Preparation

Tech changes

Q12Students

well-prepared

Overall percent positive

14% 14% 23% 12% 12% 30%

Percent decisive 75% 66% 71% 79% 69% 100%

Percent positive 18% 21% 33% 15% 17% 30%

Percent negative 82% 79% 67% 85% 83% 70%

Difference -63% -59% -34% -70% -65% -40%

Average -58%

14%14%

23%

12%

30%

12%

61%

52%48%

67%

57%

70%

25%

34%29%

21%

31%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

Q7 Q8 Q9 Q10 Q11 Q12

Yes

No

Uncertain

Figure 1

Results and DiscussionComparison between Primary Domains

Results and DiscussionDescriptive Analysis

Results and DiscussionDescriptive Analysis (continued)

Results and DiscussionDecisive and Indecisive Analysis (Q11 &12)

Summary and Suggestions

Students’ quality should be a major concern in the university of technology system

Shared with instructors, administration, and administrators

Summary and Suggestions (continued)

Provide inservice training and professional development for HE instructors

Funding to those who are highly motivated

Qualitative research needed for future

THANK YOU