Algoma U ahead of provincial average in student survey

NEWS RELEASE

ALGOMA UNIVERSITY

*************************** Algoma U ahead of provincial average in student survey

SAULT STE. MARIE - Algoma University's commitment to offering an undergraduate education unlike any other in Ontario was recognized in the 2011 National Student Survey on Engagement (NSSE), where the University scored higher than the provincial average in three out of five of the study's benchmarks of effective educational practice.

The bi-annual survey studies first-year and final-year students in the United States and Canada, including 20 universities across Ontario.

Algoma U scored higher than other Ontario universities in active and collaborative learning, student-faculty interaction, and supportive campus environment, while scoring even with the provincial average in level of academic challenge and enriching educational experiences.

NSSE measures a student's level of engagement in his or her learning by asking students the number of times they ask questions in class and the frequency with which they talk to their instructors outside of class. 

It is widely regarded as the best measure of the quality of a student's academic experience, and participation in the survey is mandatory for all Ontario universities.

NSSE does not rank universities, but instead reports to each one how it has fared relative to the others in the province.

For Algoma, the NSSE results are in synch with this year's 'Small University, Big Education' marketing campaign.

"We're not surprised at the results reported for Algoma University," said Richard Myers, president of Algoma University. "We've been telling people that a small university like Algoma scores big on quality and NSSE is providing the data that confirms that. We see that first-year AU students are almost twice as likely have discussions with their instructors about their work as students elsewhere in the system, and senior students are almost twice as likely to chat with their professors about their career plans. That's big-time quality that you can only find in a small institution."

Other results from the 2011 NSSE survey include:

- When asked if they asked questions or contributed to class discussions, 54 percent of first-year students and 70 percent of seniors at Algoma U responded that they did. That compares with only 33 percent and 53 percent respectively in the rest of the province.

- Fifty percent of first-year Algoma U students discussed grades or assignments with instructors, compared with a 28 percent Ontario average.

- Eighty-nine percent of senior Algoma U students rated their relationships with faculty members positively, compared with a 69 percent average among the rest of Ontario seniors.

This is Algoma University's second time participating in the NSSE study since becoming an independent university in 2008.

About Algoma University

Algoma University is committed to offering an undergraduate education experience unlike any university in Ontario, offering a wide variety of program options.

Algoma University also offers accelerated diploma-to-degree programs in Business Administration in Brampton, and two degrees, including a Bachelor of Social Work, in Timmins.

As a partner with Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig, Algoma U is committed to respecting Anishinaabe knowledge and culture. 

To learn more about Algoma University, visit www.algomau.ca

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