Results of the National Survey of Student Engagement Indicate Students
Have a Very Favorable View of APUS
CHARLES TOWN, W.Va., Nov. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Findings recently
released from the 2008 National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) indicate
students studying with American Public University System (APUS)
(http://www.apus.edu/index.htm) have an extremely favorable view of the online
learning system and would overwhelmingly attend again if they could start
their college career over. APUS, with member institutions, American Public
University (http://www.apu.apus.edu/index.htm) and American Military
University (http://www.amu.apus.edu/index.htm), offers 73 accredited online
degree programs to more than 40,000 adult learners studying in 50 states and
more than 100 countries.
The 2008 report from the National Survey on Student Engagement (NSSE) is
based on information from nearly 380,000 randomly selected first-year and
senior students at 722 four-year colleges and universities in the U.S. APUS
findings were based on 1149 randomly selected APUS first year and senior
students on the 2008 NSSE Survey. The survey was administered in spring 2008
by Indiana University's Center for Postsecondary Research in cooperation with
the Indiana University Center for Survey Research.
Other findings indicate a considerable amount of student-faculty
interaction. Ninety percent of senior students indicate that they frequently
get prompt verbal or written feedback from faculty members. A key finding from
the broader survey indicated that students taking most of their classes online
report more deep approaches to learning in their classes, relative to
classroom-based learners. Additionally, a large share of online learners
reported very often participating in intellectually challenging course
activities.
Alexander C. McCormick, NSSE director and associate professor of education
at Indiana University says that NSSE survey findings related to online
learning indicate that "those who teach classes online may be making special
efforts to engage their students. It may also be the case that online classes
appeal to students who are more academically motivated and self-directed."
Other findings indicate that 97 percent of APUS seniors said their
educational experience was excellent or good, and 86 percent of seniors felt
that APUS provided the academic support they needed to succeed.
"APUS continues its efforts to better engage students in the online
learning environment," said Dr. Jennifer Stephens, dean of assessment for
APUS. "We continue our work with the Higher Learning Commission's Assessment
Academy and the Transparency by Design Initiative to learn better ways to
ensure student success, both academically and professionally."
APUS is enhancing the online learning environment by using video as a
class participation tool in speech classes and testing new interactive video
components in the classroom. Professors are beginning to use video
introductions for classes and are developing applications that will involve
simulation exercises with students in the Emergency and Disaster Management
program.
Dr. Philip Ice, director of course design, research and development at
APUS, is highly involved in research related to the formation of learning
communities as a necessary prerequisite for meaningful learning in online
environments. His research with colleagues at seven other institutions in the
United States and Canada, has led to the development of the Community of
Inquiry Framework (CoI). Using tenants of the Col leads to higher degrees of
student engagement, learning and rapport with instructors. Starting in
January of 2009, the CoI will be used as part of the framework for course
development and evaluation at APUS.
The NSSE 2008 Report, Promoting Engagement for all Students: The
Imperative to Look Within, is sponsored by The Carnegie Foundation for the
Advancement of Teaching. Findings can be downloaded from the NSSE Web site
(www.nsse.iub.edu) or it can be ordered for $20 from the National Survey of
Student Engagement, Indiana University Center for Postsecondary Research, 1990
E. 10th Street, Suite 419, Bloomington, IN, 47406-7512.
About Public University System
American Public University System includes American Public University and
American Military University and educates more than 40,000 adult learners
worldwide. APUS's relevant curriculum, affordability and flexibility allows
working adults to pursue degrees that will help them advance in a variety of
career fields, including business, information technology, education and
management. APUS also provides specialized education in homeland security,
national security and emergency and disaster management. A university book
grant provides textbooks at no cost for eligible undergraduate students.
American Public University System is a wholly-owned subsidiary of American
Public Education, Inc. (Nasdaq: APEI). For more information, please visit
http://www.AmericanPublicEducation.com.
SOURCE American Public University System
CONTACT:
Renee Hockaday
of American Public University System
+1-703-334-3868
[email protected]