Students Speak – We Listen CCCSE Workshop, May 31, 2011

Center for Community College Student Engagement Why focus groups? Digging beneath the numbers… moving from “what” to “why” Bringing data alive through student voices The power of stories

Center for Community College Student Engagement I’m sitting in the parking lot… Video Removed

Center for Community College Student Engagement Using numbers (quantitative data) and student voices (qualitative data) together… The numbers tell you What. The student voices tell you Why.

Center for Community College Student Engagement What do students say is the most important college service? Academic Advising & Planning 90%

Center for Community College Student Engagement Yet… 46% …say they never saw an advisor (or really aren’t sure…)

Center for Community College Student Engagement But we gave them the info… Video Removed

Students don’t do optional!! Center for Community College Student Engagement

What entering students are telling us: During their first 3 weeks… 71% - advisor helped them pick classes. 60% - advisor helped them select a major or program. Fewer than 40% - advisor helped them set academic goals and create a plan for achieving those goals. out

Center for Community College Student Engagement Please advise me! Video Removed

Center for Community College Student Engagement Advice from Students Video Removed

Focus Group Toolkit oolkit.cfm

Center for Community College Student Engagement Planning Focus Groups Recruiting Focus Group Participants Discussion Tools Analyzing/Reporting Student Focus Group Toolkit can be adapted for faculty & staff

Planning Focus Groups Selecting a Moderator and Note- taker Coordinator Responsibilities Coordinator Checklist Room Set-Up Videotaping Guidelines Consent Forms Recruiting Focus Group Participants Selecting Participants Inviting Participants Discussion Tools Moderator Do’s and Don’ts Moderator’s Guide Student Profile Sheet Response Sheet – First Experiences Analyzing/Reporting Summary Report Sample Focus Group Toolkit

Center for Community College Student Engagement Discussion Qs Who? Which students do you want to hear from? What? What do you want to learn from them? Why? What data lead you to ask those questions?

Center for Community College Student Engagement Discussion Qs Creating the Conversation Who is your audience? Which groups do you want to engage in conversations about these issues? What challenges do you see in conducting focus groups? How will you use and share this information? What do you want people to do with the information you gather?

Center for Community College Student Engagement Planning Focus Groups Selecting a Moderator and Note-taker Coordinator Responsibilities – your team Coordinator Checklist Room Set-Up Videotaping Guidelines – upon request Consent Forms Student Focus Group Toolkit

Center for Community College Student Engagement Create the conversation… Video Removed

Center for Community College Student Engagement Invite students to talk with each other… Video Removed

Center for Community College Student Engagement Then listen to their conversation… Video Removed

Center for Community College Student Engagement Recruiting Focus Group Participants Selecting Participants Your goal is: To gain as accurate a picture as possible of student experiences at the college. You want the good, the bad, and the ugly! Invitations & Maintaining Contact Student Focus Group Toolkit

Center for Community College Student Engagement Discussion Tools Moderator Do’s and Don’ts Moderator’s Guide Student Profile Sheet Response Sheets Student Focus Group Toolkit

Center for Community College Student Engagement Focus Group Toolkit – Gathering Quantitative Data Along with Qualitative Information Student Profile Form – Use to gather basic information about your participants Additional response forms can be used to complement discussion findings. Examples: Non-Academic Responsibilities Finances Technology Use First Experiences

Center for Community College Student Engagement Focus Group Toolkit - Selecting a Moderator A time to listen, not to talk. Choose your facilitator wisely. Objective Not known to participants Not particularly knowledgeable about what the college is doing Able to listen without showing a reaction!

Center for Community College Student Engagement Group Activity – Create a Discussion Guide Select an OUTCOME. What do you want to learn from focus group participants? What 3 or 4 QUESTIONS could you ask to get to that outcome? Write OUTCOME and QUESTIONS on paper. Select one person to share your group’s discussion guide with session participants.

Focus Group Toolkit – Moderator Guide Sample Outcome: To understand students’ earliest academic experiences with the college. Sample Questions: Think about your first day in class at this college. What was it like? What happened on that first day or during the first couple of classes? Did any of your instructors tell you what they expect from you in the class? If so, what did they tell you? How do those expectations match your own expectations for your college experience?

Focus Group Toolkit – Moderator Guide Sample Questions: When did you decide to go to college? While in high school? After high school? Did you work for a while before deciding to return to school? Sample Outcome: To understand what motivates students to pursue higher education Sample Questions: Why did you decide to go to college? Did anyone urge you to go to college? Parents? Friends? High school teachers or counselors? Anybody else?

Advice from Students: For the college: What works? What doesn’t? What could the college do better to help students get off to a good start? For new students: What do you wish you had done differently? What advice would you give your brother/sister/friend who is just starting college?

Center for Community College Student Engagement Students tell you what doesn’t work… advice… Video Removed

Center for Community College Student Engagement Students cause you to rethink your choices… Video Removed

Center for Community College Student Engagement Students suggest new approaches… Video Removed

Center for Community College Student Engagement Students tell you what’s working… Video Removed

What are your next steps? Let’s Listen! Center for Community College Student Engagement

For more information: Arleen Arnsparger Project Manager Initiative on Student Success Center for Community College Student Engagement (CCCSE)