1. Assessing Student Engagement Following Political Programs and Events Assessing Student Engagement Following Political Programs and Events Presented by: Marilyn E. Vito and Michael J. Hozik Richard Stockton College of New Jersey

2. Early Analysis – Fall 2009 The 2 most reliable ways to insure student attendance – Require attendance at a specific event – Make attendance at a specific event one way to meet a course requirement Just giving extra credit was less effective Simply announcing an event, even with encouragement to attend is not sufficient © 2011 Marilyn Vito & Michael Hozik

3. Technical Setup 1.Student OneCard (Magnetic Stripe) ID 2.Laptops at registration, peripheral swipe device 3.Export.csv file of ID numbers (from ID cards) 4.Import to Banner (Discoverer reporting) 5.Extract demographic data Residential Credits/GPA/Major Faculty © 2011 Marilyn Vito & Michael Hozik

4. Fall 2010 Follow-Up Study – Surveyed students attending selected events included in the Constitution Day Series 2010. – Surveyed all Faculty for feedback on how they select and promote extra-curricular events to include in course syllabi as required or extra credit learning opportunities. © 2011 Marilyn Vito & Michael Hozik

5. Selected Events Deborah T. Poritz, Former Chief Justice of NJ Supreme Court Ryan Clark, Esq. Constitutional Rights and Auto Stops Freshman Convocation – Luma Mufla, Founder of Outcasts United Film & Discussion: William Kunstler, Disturbing the Universe Film & Discussion: The Oath © 2011 Marilyn Vito & Michael Hozik

6. Student Survey Process Scan student ID cards at the events and create data lists of student information. Create Zoomerang survey and email invitation to students from selected events. Offer chance to win a gift card for $25 to those students agreeing to complete the survey. © 2011 Marilyn Vito & Michael Hozik

7. Student Zoomerang Survey Student Zoomerang Survey Why did you attend this event? * How did you learn about the event(s)? * Was the event promoted in your class(es)? (No/Yes) Which of the following statements best describes your assessment of the event? Indicate your likeliness to attend similar events in the future, if they are NOT required for a class? Please indicate whether or not you are currently (or have been) involved in the following… * Having attended this event, please convey which of the following best describes your mindset about political engagement… Please share additional comments about the event.** * Check all that apply **Open end question. © 2011 Marilyn Vito & Michael Hozik

8. Student Zoomerang Survey Student Zoomerang Survey Why did you attend this event Why did you attend this event? * Interest in the topic Required to attend for a class Given extra credit to attend To earn ULTRA credit Other, please specify How did you learn about the event(s) How did you learn about the event(s)? * Through e-mail The Stockton Portal Flyers Announcement in Class Other, please specify * Check all that apply © 2011 Marilyn Vito & Michael Hozik

9. Student Zoomerang Survey Student Zoomerang Survey Which of the following statements best describes your assessment of the event? It was a valuable experience in which I learned something new. It was interesting, but not particularly informative. It was boring. Other, please specify. Indicate your likeliness to attend similar events in the future, if they are NOT required for a class? Very likely Likely Somewhat likely Not at all likely. (Why not?) © 2011 Marilyn Vito & Michael Hozik

10. Student Zoomerang Survey Student Zoomerang Survey Please indicate whether or not you are currently (or have been) involved in the following… * A student organization committed to political engagement and/or activism Writing letters, e-mails, or calling your political representatives Voter registration drives Volunteering at the election polls Other, please specify * Check all that apply © 2011 Marilyn Vito & Michael Hozik

11. Student Zoomerang Survey Student Zoomerang Survey Having attended this event, please convey which of the following best describes your mindset about political engagement… It did not change. I am more inclined to take action for issues that I care about than I was before attending the event. I am definitely more motivated to take action, but would limit it to making phone calls or sending e- mails to public representatives. I am motivated and will look for ways to express my issues to public representatives, including demonstrations, written and verbal communications. Other, please specify. © 2011 Marilyn Vito & Michael Hozik

12. Totals for Events & Survey Responses Total attendees, all events = 883 Total visits to the surveys by attendees = 194 Total completed surveys by attendees = 167 Total respondents /attendees = 19% © 2011 Marilyn Vito & Michael Hozik

13. Student Survey Results © 2011 Marilyn Vito & Michael Hozik

14. Reason for Attending © 2011 Marilyn Vito & Michael Hozik

15. Reason for Attending © 2011 Marilyn Vito & Michael Hozik

16. How Students Learned About Events Not surprisingly, 84% also reported that the events were promoted in class. © 2011 Marilyn Vito & Michael Hozik

17. How Students Learned About Events © 2011 Marilyn Vito & Michael Hozik

18. How Students Assessed Events © 2011 Marilyn Vito & Michael Hozik

19. How Students Assessed the Events © 2011 Marilyn Vito & Michael Hozik

20. Impact on Future Attendance © 2011 Marilyn Vito & Michael Hozik

21. Impact on Future Attendance © 2011 Marilyn Vito & Michael Hozik

22. Current & Prior Political Engagement © 2011 Marilyn Vito & Michael Hozik

23. Current & Prior Political Engagement © 2011 Marilyn Vito & Michael Hozik

24. Impact on Political Attitudes © 2011 Marilyn Vito & Michael Hozik

25. Impact on Political Attitudes © 2011 Marilyn Vito & Michael Hozik

26. Faculty Surveys For which of the Fall 2010 Political Engagement events did you require students in your class(es) to attend?  79% responded “None” For which of the Fall 2010 Political Engagement events did you offer extra credit to your students to attend?  71% responded “None“  Clear disconnect with political engagement © 2011 Marilyn Vito & Michael Hozik

27. Faculty Surveys How often do you offer extra credit to or require your students to attend extracurricular events?  19% responded “Never”  Clear disconnect with political engagement © 2011 Marilyn Vito & Michael Hozik

28. Faculty Surveys …what did you do to encourage reflection on the learning experience encountered?*  Class discussion about the event = 48%  Written papers summarizing and reflecting on the event(s) = 58%  Online blogs discussing the event(s) = 8%  No reflection encouraged = 18%  Other = 5% * Check all that apply © 2011 Marilyn Vito & Michael Hozik

29. Faculty Surveys What is your policy on choosing campus events to endorse for your students to attend?  54% said the events must be directly related to the course material  36% said they had no specific policy  Just 3% said the events must have some civic or political engagement element. © 2011 Marilyn Vito & Michael Hozik

30. Faculty Surveys Information sources* on events to endorse:  73% E-mails from programs or academic sponsors  48% E-mails from Political Engagement Project  40% E-mails from Women’s Studies  35% E-mails from Hughes Public Policy Center  34% E-mails from student organizations  32% from College-wide Calendar  18% from Constitution Day Flyers Check all that apply © 2011 Marilyn Vito & Michael Hozik

31. Faculty Surveys Program category for courses in which extracurricular events were endorsed:  40% were in General Studies  13% were in Business Studies  7% were in Political Science  5% were in Economics  Other programs were 2% each or less © 2011 Marilyn Vito & Michael Hozik

32. Faculty Surveys Means of verifying attendance* at events:  52% require written reflection/report  27% require a specific assignment  28% also require sign-in on attendance list  Some verify by personal attendance  Some require students acquire literature  Some don’t verify * Check all that apply © 2011 Marilyn Vito & Michael Hozik

33. What it all means: for students… Students attend events most often because they are required. Students will often attend when they are interested in the speaker or the topic, but this often requires special circumstances. The best way to raise student awareness is by promoting or announcing events in classes. Students listen to the speakers and learn new ideas when they attend these events. Once captivated by a political event, students are more likely to attend similar events in the future. This is particularly relevant for freshmen. © 2011 Marilyn Vito & Michael Hozik

34. What it all means: for faculty… Faculty must understand their role as educator in a broader sense than merely the classroom instructor. Faculty need to embrace the importance of a political context for the work in their disciplines. Faculty must become aware of their ability to influence students to attend events that are important to a student’s pursuit of a liberal arts education. Faculty must be educated on simple and effective ways of engaging students in reflection about events they attend. E-mails from respected sources are the best means of communicating with faculty about events they should consider endorsing or sponsoring for their students. © 2011 Marilyn Vito & Michael Hozik

35. Questions, comments & suggestions welcomed! Michael J. Hozik michael.hozik@stockton.edumichael.hozik@stockton.edu Marilyn E. Vito marilyn.vito@stockton.edumarilyn.vito@stockton.edu