Off-campus South Dakota State University users: To download campus access theses, please use the following link to log into our proxy server with your South Dakota State University ID and password.

Non-South Dakota State University users: Please talk to your librarian about requesting this thesis through interlibrary loan.

Document Type

Dissertation - University Access Only

Award Date

2014

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department / School

Sociology and Rural Studies

First Advisor

Donald Arwood

Abstract

This study is an examination of factors associated with improved student engagement and higher-level thinking skills among first-year university students. Data was collected via responses of 547 South Dakota State University first-year students to the National Survey of Student Engagement. This research utilized a process and outcomes of instruction model which integrated the Common Read approach with Long and Hadden’s approach to formal socialization and other aspects of symbolic interaction. Results of statistical testing determined that institutional emphasis on producing academic and nonacademic impacts is strongly related to the impacts on higher-level thinking skills. Also, the higher the quality of relationships with other people at the university, the more likely students are to think critically. Good communication between faculty and students was also found to be significant for student development, as was faculty integrating active learning activities into the curriculum. The Common Read Program was determined to be influential in increasing student involvement with and understanding of diversity.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Critical thinking -- Study and teaching (Higher)
Active learning
College freshmen -- Books and reading
Communication in higher education

Description

Includes bibliographical references (pages 100-105)

Format

application/pdf

Number of Pages

127

Publisher

South Dakota State University

Rights

In Copyright - Non-Commercial Use Permitted
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-NC/1.0/

Download

Share

COinS