Supporting College Student Success through Applied Learning: Considering Associations with Average College Grades, Graduation in Four Years, and Degree Aspirations

While previous research has examined the association between various forms of applied learning and effects on student outcomes, the present study examines engagement in forms of applied learning and three distinct measures of student success. Using longitudinal data from the Wabash National Study, t...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Elizabeth Jach, Teniell Trolian
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Florida State Open Publishing 2023-04-01
Series:Journal of Postsecondary Student Success
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journals.flvc.org/jpss/article/view/131213
_version_ 1797847452900917248
author Elizabeth Jach
Teniell Trolian
author_facet Elizabeth Jach
Teniell Trolian
author_sort Elizabeth Jach
collection DOAJ
description While previous research has examined the association between various forms of applied learning and effects on student outcomes, the present study examines engagement in forms of applied learning and three distinct measures of student success. Using longitudinal data from the Wabash National Study, this analysis examined the relationship between undergraduate participation in forms of applied learning and students’ graduation within four years, fourth-year college grades, and post-baccalaureate degree aspirations. Results suggested that certain applied learning experiences were associated with specific forms of student success. Specifically, the odds of graduation within four years increased for students who participated in internship, capstone, or study abroad experiences but decreased for students who participated in an independent study or volunteer experience. Applied learning experiences associated with higher college grades included faculty asking students to apply theories or concepts to practical problems or in new situations, completing an independent study, capstone, internship, research with a faculty member, or study abroad experience, but applying concepts to exams or assignments was associated with lower college grades. Finally, higher levels of students’ educational aspirations were associated with participating in research with a faculty member and study abroad. Together, these findings emphasize the need for institutions of higher education, faculty, and student affairs practitioners to nuance applied learning opportunities in relation to student success goals.
first_indexed 2024-04-09T18:11:57Z
format Article
id doaj.art-ad84c50b88fe4a35842ce1357ee9245e
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 2769-4879
2769-4887
language English
last_indexed 2024-04-09T18:11:57Z
publishDate 2023-04-01
publisher Florida State Open Publishing
record_format Article
series Journal of Postsecondary Student Success
spelling doaj.art-ad84c50b88fe4a35842ce1357ee9245e2023-04-13T16:17:43ZengFlorida State Open PublishingJournal of Postsecondary Student Success2769-48792769-48872023-04-0123759710.33009/fsop_jpss13121367434Supporting College Student Success through Applied Learning: Considering Associations with Average College Grades, Graduation in Four Years, and Degree AspirationsElizabeth Jach0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8134-8054Teniell Trolian1University at Albany, State University of New YorkUniversity at Albany, State University of New YorkWhile previous research has examined the association between various forms of applied learning and effects on student outcomes, the present study examines engagement in forms of applied learning and three distinct measures of student success. Using longitudinal data from the Wabash National Study, this analysis examined the relationship between undergraduate participation in forms of applied learning and students’ graduation within four years, fourth-year college grades, and post-baccalaureate degree aspirations. Results suggested that certain applied learning experiences were associated with specific forms of student success. Specifically, the odds of graduation within four years increased for students who participated in internship, capstone, or study abroad experiences but decreased for students who participated in an independent study or volunteer experience. Applied learning experiences associated with higher college grades included faculty asking students to apply theories or concepts to practical problems or in new situations, completing an independent study, capstone, internship, research with a faculty member, or study abroad experience, but applying concepts to exams or assignments was associated with lower college grades. Finally, higher levels of students’ educational aspirations were associated with participating in research with a faculty member and study abroad. Together, these findings emphasize the need for institutions of higher education, faculty, and student affairs practitioners to nuance applied learning opportunities in relation to student success goals.https://journals.flvc.org/jpss/article/view/131213undergraduatesapplied learningstudent success
spellingShingle Elizabeth Jach
Teniell Trolian
Supporting College Student Success through Applied Learning: Considering Associations with Average College Grades, Graduation in Four Years, and Degree Aspirations
Journal of Postsecondary Student Success
undergraduates
applied learning
student success
title Supporting College Student Success through Applied Learning: Considering Associations with Average College Grades, Graduation in Four Years, and Degree Aspirations
title_full Supporting College Student Success through Applied Learning: Considering Associations with Average College Grades, Graduation in Four Years, and Degree Aspirations
title_fullStr Supporting College Student Success through Applied Learning: Considering Associations with Average College Grades, Graduation in Four Years, and Degree Aspirations
title_full_unstemmed Supporting College Student Success through Applied Learning: Considering Associations with Average College Grades, Graduation in Four Years, and Degree Aspirations
title_short Supporting College Student Success through Applied Learning: Considering Associations with Average College Grades, Graduation in Four Years, and Degree Aspirations
title_sort supporting college student success through applied learning considering associations with average college grades graduation in four years and degree aspirations
topic undergraduates
applied learning
student success
url https://journals.flvc.org/jpss/article/view/131213
work_keys_str_mv AT elizabethjach supportingcollegestudentsuccessthroughappliedlearningconsideringassociationswithaveragecollegegradesgraduationinfouryearsanddegreeaspirations
AT tenielltrolian supportingcollegestudentsuccessthroughappliedlearningconsideringassociationswithaveragecollegegradesgraduationinfouryearsanddegreeaspirations