Week 11: Student co-curricular activity involvment while attending college and how it influences student outcomes

Week 11 Article

Student Engagement in South African Higher Education by:

Matthew Wawrzynski, Asheigh Heck and Christopher Remley

The article discussed the significance that extracurricular activities which they describe a co-curricular experiences has on student expected outcome to do well in school.  This being in part that majority of the time a student attends school is outside of the classroom.

In this article study the authors examined the amount of time devoted to co-curricular actives, student characteristics and perceptions of learning outcomes, and reported barriers to student engagement in post-Apartheid South Africa. Students who were unable to navigate the barriers created by these social conditions were less likely to succeed.

3 sets of social conditions that influenced student success at one South African university

• Student background (socioeconomic class, culture, language)
• The learning environment created by the institution
• Individual student ability to navigate systems in place at the institution.

How non-cognitive skills affect student college outcomes which are:

• positive self-concept
• realistic self-appraisal
• successfully handling the system
• preference for long-term goals
• availability of strong support person
• leadership experience
• community involvement
• knowledge acquired in the field

These non-cognitive skills influence:

• adjustment
• motivation
• perceptions
• student outcomes

A survey was created and questions the focused around 8 non-cognitive skills identified by Sedlacek and questions from three student learning outcomes identified in Learning Reconsidered 2 which are humanitarianism, practical competence, and persistence and academic achievement.

Results:

• These data indicate that students who were involved in co-curricular activities, as opposed to those with no involvement, reported statistically significant higher student outcomes in all areas, except for two (i.e., peer connections and help others).
• High amounts of involvement (25 or more hours a week devoted to cocurricular activities) were likely to have a greater effect on enhancing students' academic work.
• A greater proportion of students living off campus were less likely to be involved in co-curricular activities.  Yet, students who lived on campus were less likely than commuting students to report feeling connected to their institution.
• Students who devoted the most time to co-curricular involvement indicated that their academic and leadership skills were enhanced as a result.
• Students reported that co-curricular involvement enhanced their academic achievement.

This article is useful because within my research study I will be comparing programs established by The University of Texas at Austin (UT) and the Dell Young Leaders Program (DYL) in South Africa.  How programs created to involve students and looking at the outcome of student performance of those students who do participate in the activities created to better enhance their college experiences. 

Week 10: Article related to my service learning project

 

Article: "Class dismissed? Youth resistance and the politics of race and class in South African education"

By: Chetty, Rajendra

Hard Facts:

• Only 11 per cent of black youth and seven per cent of coloured youth in the 18-24-year age bracket are in university, compared to almost 60 per cent of white youth (Higher education in context 2011)

Why is this so?

• Low quality primary and secondary schooling
• The history of black education in South Africa remains one of substantive inequity, maintained through township and rural public schools. Although the South African Schools Act, 1996, removed discriminatory practices with regard to access to schools based on race, the situation in black township schools is by no means one of equity
• Poor quality of mathematics achievement scores of those black students who gain university admission militates against them securing places in the prestigious science medical and engineering programs.  Leaving few options left for the large majority.
• States allowances and scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit and not on factors such as financial need or poverty.  
• Limited black students who are able to secure scholarships, are the privileged ones with good matriculation results form advantages schools where parents are able to afford high fees.

After graduation:

• Even for those who are able to secure a place at university and complete a degree program, the chance of finding employment are limited given the high rate of unemployment among graduates. 

Where can a intellectually ambitious poor student turn?

• Perhaps inspiration and support come from the occasional teacher, perhaps from a chance encounter with ideas.
• What is certain is that in our profoundly anti-intellectual culture, it will not come from schools or the media.

How does this fit into my research with Dell Young Leaders, Michael & Susan Dell Foundation:

 Who are Dell Young Leaders?

• Dell Young Leaders are first-generation South African university students from disadvantaged communities. 

What does the Dell Young Leaders Program offer?

• Each academic year 100 Dell Young Leaders are selected across the University of Cape Town and University of Pretoria. Each Dell Young Leader receives financial support and wrap-around services that help to level the playing field for these first-generation university students.
• Academic training, individualized support to help navigate their way through unique scenarios, on-campus support staff, or Dell Young Leader peer mentors.

Tell Me More!

• Students in the program participate in academic skills development workshops and extended learning classes designed to improve the on-the-job soft skills.

Results

• 100% of Dell Young Leaders are placed in professional jobs once they graduate!
• Graduate are able to help provide for families
• Contribution to South Africa's overall economic development

 

Week 9: Refelction over the top 10 list

 

       While reading through all the links I could not help but to think how their are so many different perspectives of South Africa.  Depending on the interest of that individual is what they will be drawn closer to understanding and gaining knowledge.  This list gave a small portion of the interest that we all have and hope to learn.  Knowing that we can all come together to put our ideas and research findings together gives us an opportunity to be exposed to more in such a short time.  One take away through this process of researching and sharing what we found is that when we put together our thoughts, they become so much more powerful.  I really enjoyed this activity and was supper excited that 2 out of the 3 readings/videos I shared are on the list!