Assessing and Improving Learning Strategies in the Typical MSU, Mankato Student to Increase Student Persistence and Retention in the Academy

Location

CSU 201

Start Date

10-4-2018 11:05 AM

End Date

10-4-2018 12:05 PM

Student's Major

Psychology

Student's College

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Mentor's Name

Karla Lassonde

Mentor's Department

Psychology

Mentor's College

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Description

According to public data, 70% of students here at MSU, Mankato are retained and enrolled one year after their first semester. However, just over 50% of students graduate in six years. A factor that may influence retention is whether students know how to best learn. MSU, Mankato has a host of helpful student support services, however, there is not a comprehensive course or resource dedicated to learning skill training. In this study, 45 students enrolled in Cognitive Psychology completed cognitive assessment and learning skills training. Their cognition was assessed using the National Institute of Health's Cognitive Toolbox application which targets cognitive skills like attention, memory, and decision-making. Students then took the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI) 3rd Edition (Weinstein, Palmer, and Taylor, 2016) online which focused on thoughts and behaviors related to learning. Student scores were compared to national norms to determine skill needs. We then worked with the students across the semester to build learning strategies into the curriculum. Students will be assessed on the NIH toolbox and LASSI again at the end of the semester to determine the influence of curricular change. Formally providing these strategies to students may have a positive effect on ensuring retention and graduation.

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS
 
Apr 10th, 11:05 AM Apr 10th, 12:05 PM

Assessing and Improving Learning Strategies in the Typical MSU, Mankato Student to Increase Student Persistence and Retention in the Academy

CSU 201

According to public data, 70% of students here at MSU, Mankato are retained and enrolled one year after their first semester. However, just over 50% of students graduate in six years. A factor that may influence retention is whether students know how to best learn. MSU, Mankato has a host of helpful student support services, however, there is not a comprehensive course or resource dedicated to learning skill training. In this study, 45 students enrolled in Cognitive Psychology completed cognitive assessment and learning skills training. Their cognition was assessed using the National Institute of Health's Cognitive Toolbox application which targets cognitive skills like attention, memory, and decision-making. Students then took the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI) 3rd Edition (Weinstein, Palmer, and Taylor, 2016) online which focused on thoughts and behaviors related to learning. Student scores were compared to national norms to determine skill needs. We then worked with the students across the semester to build learning strategies into the curriculum. Students will be assessed on the NIH toolbox and LASSI again at the end of the semester to determine the influence of curricular change. Formally providing these strategies to students may have a positive effect on ensuring retention and graduation.

Recommended Citation

Gehling, Jacklyn and Rebecca Osborn. "Assessing and Improving Learning Strategies in the Typical MSU, Mankato Student to Increase Student Persistence and Retention in the Academy." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 10, 2018.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2018/oral-session-05/4