Student Engagement and Academic Performance in the Colombian University Context

Abstract

Despite the increase in Latin America of Higher Education_x000D_ coverage, grave dropout problems persist that question the_x000D_ role of educational experiences to foster students�_x000D_ academic engagement. This study was carried out in_x000D_ Colombia and sought to establish the relationship between_x000D_ the five benchmarks that compose academic engagement_x000D_ and the academic performance of a group of Colombian_x000D_ university students. The transversal and correlational study_x000D_ used the Spanish version of the National Survey of_x000D_ Student Engagement (NSSE) that measures students� level_x000D_ of participation in five dimensions: Academic challenge,_x000D_ active and collaborative learning, student-faculty_x000D_ interaction, enriching educational experiences, and_x000D_ supportive campus environment and its relationship to_x000D_ academic performance. The findings of 1906 students_x000D_ from 7 universities indicate that there are statistically_x000D_ significant, but weak correlations between the items that_x000D_ compose the benchmarks and students� academic_x000D_ performance, which lead to reflect upon key aspects to_x000D_ strengthen the education experiences offered to university_x000D_ students.

A pesar de la ampliaci�n de la cobertura en la educaci�n_x000D_ superior latinoamericana, persisten graves problemas de_x000D_ deserci�n que llevan a cuestionar el papel de las_x000D_ experiencias educativas en el fomento del compromiso_x000D_ acad�mico de los estudiantes. Esta investigaci�n se realiz�_x000D_ en Colombia y busc� determinar la relaci�n que existe_x000D_ entre el compromiso estudiantil y el desempe�o_x000D_ acad�mico de un grupo de universitarios colombianos. El_x000D_ estudio transversal y correlacional emple� la versi�n en_x000D_ espa�ol de la encuesta National Survey of Student_x000D_ Engagement (NSSE) que mide el nivel de participaci�n de_x000D_ los estudiantes en cinco dimensiones: reto acad�mico,_x000D_ aprendizaje activo y colaborativo, interacci�n con_x000D_ docentes y personal administrativo, experiencias_x000D_ educativas enriquecedoras y apoyo institucional. Los_x000D_ hallazgos de 1906 estudiantes de 7 universidades se�alan_x000D_ que existen correlaciones estad�sticamente significativas,_x000D_ aunque d�biles, entre los �ndices del compromiso_x000D_ estudiantil y el promedio acad�mico, y conducen a_x000D_ reflexionar sobre aspectos claves para el fortalecimiento_x000D_ de las experiencias educativas que se ofrecen al_x000D_ universitario.