Using Data on Student Values and Experiences to Inform Professional Development in Teaching

• In Event: Sheraton Roundtable Session 10
  In Roundtable Session: Faculty Perceptions in Higher Education

Abstract

Employers of undergraduates from Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics programs report that students frequently lack important workplace skills. Our survey (STEP-U) assesses how much graduating seniors value skills needed for the workplace (e.g., ability to work in groups) and how much they experienced teaching practices thought to reinforce such skills (e.g., groupwork). We compare findings from students (N=2,364) from five disciplines: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, and Computer Science. We also present data from faculty members (N=145) about the extent to which they value skills included on the STEP-U. We conducted focus groups in faculty meetings where we shared students’ data, and asked faculty members to generate explanations for results. These meetings provided a unique opportunity for professional development.

Authors

• Gili Marbach-Ad, University of Maryland

• Carly Hunt, University of Maryland - College Park

• Katerina Thompson, University of Maryland