Abstract:

New tools for examining and enhancing learning and progress in academic studies as well as for the quality management of teaching have been developed at the University of Helsinki, Finland. HowULearn is a digital, web-based reflection and feedback questionnaire that gives information on the studies of students and teaching in different sciences, Faculties and degree programmes. Students are encouraged to reflect on the results, and the programme’s steering group utilizes the information in developing the programme and its teaching. The Oodikone [Oodi machine] tool collects and analyses data from students and student groups, as well as studies and courses, and the knowledge gained can then be utilized by the steering groups, as well as by PSP (personal study plan) councellors. In this presentation the HowULearn questionnaire and Oodikone will be presented, along with examples of the data from a BSc degree in Agricultural Sciences. According to the preliminary results of the HowULearn questionnaire, the first-year students’ approach to learning was mainly a deep-oriented, deep approach to learning. An organized study orientation correlated positively with self-efficacy beliefs, while a surface approach correlated negatively with self-efficacy. In addition, students’ opinions related to the constructiveness of feedback received during the first study year correlated with their study success. A deep approach to learning and an organized study orientation also correlated positively with study-related exhaustion. Female students reported significantly higher study-related exhaustion and interest in their studies compared with male students. Based on the Oodikone data, four fictitious types of study progress (credit accumulation) were indicated. The data also shows that students can be rewarded and offered help, and single courses and bottlenecks in the degree programme can be improved. Shared faculty-level rules can support a degree programme and its steering group.

Keywords:

Higher education, quality management, progress, student, study, skills, course, guidance.