Doing some preliminary research around questionnaires, the following topics have been suggested when conceiving an online questionnaire in relation to students transitioning into higher education.
Academic Involvement:
- Reflection: Looking back at our last tutorial, did any of the discussions we had about your coursework spark your interest in any specific aspects or areas you’d like to explore further?
- Efficacy: Did discussing your study strategies and challenges in our last tutorial help you feel more confident in your approach to the course? How?
- Engagement: Do you feel the feedback and guidance I provided during the last tutorial has improved your participation in class discussions, seminars, or group projects?
- Support: How helpful did you find me as a resource for academic questions or concerns after our last tutorial? Did seeking out support feel comfortable and productive?
Social Integration and Well-being:
- Connection: Did discussing your social experiences in our last tutorial help you identify any opportunities to get more involved in social activities or connect with people you share interests with?
- Community: Do you feel more comfortable or confident reaching out to peers or your support network after our discussion about well-being and adjusting to university life?
- Strategies: Were there any specific tips or coping mechanisms we discussed regarding stress management, time management, or dealing with anxiety that you found helpful to implement?
- Overall Impact: Looking back, how would you say the topics and discussions we covered in our last personal tutorial have impacted your overall sense of well-being and belonging within the university community?
Belonging and Connection:
- Community: During our last tutorial, we discussed finding your place within the university community. Have you noticed any areas where you feel more connected or have identified potential groups/activities that resonate with you?
- Identity: Did any aspect of our conversation spark a sense of belonging or connection to other students, faculty, or university life in general?
- Inclusion: Looking back, did anything we discussed make you feel more included or like your unique experiences and perspectives are valued within the university environment?
- Support Network: Has our discussion encouraged you to reach out to any additional support networks or services to further strengthen your sense of belonging at the university?
Challenges and Opportunities:
- Barriers: Did anything we discussed highlight any potential barriers or obstacles you’re facing in terms of feeling a sense of belonging at the university? How can I, or other resources, help address these?
- Advocacy: Do you feel comfortable advocating for yourself or representing the needs of others within your community after our conversation about belonging?
- Change Initiative: Were there any ideas or initiatives inspired by our conversation that you’d like to pursue to contribute to a more inclusive and welcoming university environment?
- Personal Growth: In what ways do you see yourself growing or developing your sense of belonging at the university in the coming weeks and months? How can I continue to support you in this process?
TOPICS AND QUESTIONS TO BE INCLUDED IN THE ONLINE QUESTIONNAIRE ON THE IMPACT OF PERSONAL TUTORIALS CONDUCET IN YEAR 1
When analysing the CSS Student Survey 2021/22, the following survey categories received the lowest ratings:
- Student Voice: 65.5%
- Organisation & Management: 57.4%
- Welfare Resources & Facilities: 44.3%
Following this lead and further examining all of the 3 categories [student voice, organisation & management, Welfare Resources & Facilities (Mental Wellbeing Services 2023)], all questions will be in service of all 3 categories in relation to the personal tutorial when investigating the student experience.
When thinking about conceiving an online questionnaire [pilot] for 1st Year students transitioning into higher education and the BA Animation Program at LCC, it has been brought to my attention throughout various conversations with colleagues in my department, that the questionnaire has to be brief and concise. As the average attention span amongst students (but society enlarge) is getting shorter, considering factors such as age, language, disability, learning styles and other various challenges, the online questionnaire is estimated to take a maximum of 10 minutes to complete. However, this time frame limits the amount of questions to be asked within the survey and shifts the focus on the quality of questions asked.
Voluntary
Participation in this questionnaire is completely voluntary.
Privacy
Your feedback is most valuable when you feel free to express your true opinions without fear of judgment.
Security
Your responses will be securely stored in via password protected and encrypted file via Microsoft OneDrive.
Consent
By continuing with this questionnaire, you are indicating your consent to participate in this research study.
ONLINE QUESTIONNAIRE [PILOT]
- The personal tutorial conducted at the beginning of Year 1 was integral to my student experience when arriving in Year 1.
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Neither agree nor disagree
- Strongly disagree
- Don’t know
- Prefer not to say
- The personal tutorial experience was integral to having my voice heard as a student in Year 1.
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Neither agree nor disagree
- Strongly disagree
- Don’t know
- Prefer not to say
- The personal tutorial has helped me gain clarity about the academic journey in Year 1.
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Neither agree nor disagree
- Strongly disagree
- Don’t know
- Prefer not to say
- The personal tutorial made me feel seen, heard and understood as a student in Year 1.
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Neither agree nor disagree
- Strongly disagree
- Don’t know
- Prefer not to say
- The personal tutorial helped when struggling with mental heath and well-being as a student in Year 1.
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Neither agree nor disagree
- Strongly disagree
- Don’t know
- Not applicable
- The personal tutorial had an impact on my academic involvement as a student in Year 1.
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Neither agree nor disagree
- Strongly disagree
- Don’t know
- Prefer not to say
- The personal tutorial had an impact on my social integration as a student in Year 1.
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Neither agree nor disagree
- Strongly disagree
- Don’t know
- Prefer not to say
- The personal tutorial helped me fee less anxious when entering the animation course as a student in Year 1.
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Neither agree nor disagree
- Strongly disagree
- Don’t know
- Prefer not to say
- The personal tutorial gave me a sense of belonging to the animation course as a student in Year 1.
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Neither agree nor disagree
- Strongly disagree
- Don’t know
- Prefer not to say
- The personal tutorial gave me a sense of security when entering the animation course as a student in Year 1.
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Neither agree nor disagree
- Strongly disagree
- Don’t know
- Prefer not to say
- Something else I have been dying to say in relation to the personal tutorials in Year 1.
- free text
* The questions above have not yet been sequences correctly and are a work in progress under the survey pilot scheme. As questions prompt an emotional response and reaction, asking for an intuitive selection, questions have to be possibly adapted/changed in the future.