Learning and Teaching Conference 2014

1. Learning and Teaching Conference 2014 Remembering the Student in Student Satisfaction Dr David Bowles

2. Visible league tables This one’s from The Guardian Mean = 89 Mean = 70 Mean = 84 Mean = 70

3. NSS score: how calculated? Simple… Likert scale response to “Overall, I am satisfied with my course” Score 4 (agree) or 5 (totally agree) = yes NOT aggregate of NSS items

4. Individual NSS categories relation to overall satisfaction Analysis from 1255 D&S respondents 2013

5. What uniquely predicts overall satisfaction? Analysis from 1255 D&S respondents 2013

6. What drives the overall “satisfaction” score? Analysis from 163 PSP respondents 2013

7. What uniquely predicts overall satisfaction? Analysis from 163 PSP respondents 2013 Note: logistic regression with binary CV similar pattern

8. What regression analysis shows: Teaching is strongest predictor of satisfaction Personal Development is close behind Personal development items: “Course has helped me to present myself with confidence” “My communication skills have improved” “As a result of the course, I feel confident in tackling unfamiliar problems”

9. Limitation: Data taken from the NSS database so could not be related to other variables of interest

10. New questions... • What do the students think is important to their satisfaction? • Does ability affect satisfaction? • Wait a minute - I'm a psychologist. I should be asking "what is the psychology of student satisfaction?"

11. (2012)

12. Variables related to academic well-being Support for autonomy and competence are essential for growth and well-being in any learning environment (Ryan & Deci, 2000) • Self-esteem • Self-efficacy • Psychological need satisfaction: • Autonomy • Relatedness • Competence

13. Basic Psychological Needs and Academic satisfaction: A rare study topic Predicting Instructor/course satisfaction (Filac & Sheldon, 2003)

14. Current study (D&S LTA funded) Data collected by research assistant Gemma Sharkey • 250 level 5 D&S students • DLC, Humanities, PSP • Self-report questionnaires • Focus groups

15. Study designed to address the following questions about what predicts overall satisfaction: • What do the students think affects it? • Does academic ability predict it? • Do psychological person variables predict it? • Which variables have unique predictive power in the explanation of overall satisfaction?

16. How important are the following to your overall satisfaction?

17. Psychology of student satisfaction The variables of interest • Entry points • Predicted degree • Academic skills • Self-esteem • Self-efficacy • Basic Psychological Needs for • Autonomy • Relatedness • Competence

18. Psychological correlates of student satisfaction N = 250, all ps < .01 (except 'ns')

19. What uniquely predicts overall satisfaction? N = 250, ** p < .01, Note: logistic regression with binary CV similar pattern

20. Person variables explain variance in satisfaction • Overall Satisfaction Via the sense of felt competence • Related-ness • Academic skills • Competence • Autonomy • Self-efficacy • Self-esteem

21. Collating points from both studies NSS items of most importance: teaching quality students’ personal development Person variable of most importance: competence

22. ...resources for maximising course satisfaction should be directed at enabling academic staff to excel as inspirational tutors, tutors who facilitate the development of competence and confidence in the personal journey of students.

23. Limitations What’s next? Could not relate individual or subscale NSS items to person variables Go-ahead to use actual NSS items at level 5 Test model of NSS items, person variables Personal Development Competence Overall Satisfaction Teaching