In an effort to reimagine how NSSE data are shared by distilling actionable and tangible findings from the survey, the Office of Academic Affairs at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) reorganized the institution’s NSSE data into four UNL Brief Reports: one for instructors; one for student support services; and one each with results from the Global Learning and the Experiences with Diverse Perspectives Topical Modules. Each report contains an overview of NSSE, a description of strengths within the institution, identified areas for improvement, and a conclusion. What makes this effort so innovative is how these reports are specialized for each audience.
The report for instructors includes findings related to teaching such as (a) engagement indicators regarding student-faculty interaction, effective teaching, and quality of interactions; (b) student behaviors related to reading and writing; and (c) the degree to which students engage in discussions with diverse others or perceive the campus environment as supportive. Among the highlighted strengths in results for the three Engagement Indicators are the higher means for UNL seniors compared to seniors from other Big Ten and Regents institutions.
The instructors’ report also includes “A Closer Look,” a section in which UNL’s item-level successes are detailed (for example, the 6% increase in first-year students who reported “talking about career plans with a faculty member,” compared with first-year students at peer institutions). The report provides a similar granular look at the areas for improvement, as first-year students reported significantly lower levels related to whether or not instructors (a) clearly explained course goals and requirements, (b) taught course sessions in an organized way, and (c) used examples or illustrations to explain difficult points.
This specialized report is important for instructors, for whom assessment of student learning is only part of their job. For them, relating NSSE information to their work can be overwhelming due to the massive amount of data presented in the institutional report. By detailing the ways faculty are succeeding or could better enhance the students’ educational experience, the report presents data in a digestible format featuring only the most useful information. Furthermore, this strategy creates specialized tools for the academic affairs staff to use when working with either staff or faculty. The report for instructors and the other UNL specialized reports are excellent demonstrations of assessment experts lowering barriers between data and those who can act on data.
