![AKO strengths based learning](/assets/AKO-strengths-based-learning__FillWzY2MCw0NTBd.png)
PROJECT
Evaluating a strengths-based learner engagement programme
Supporting learners,
Teaching strategies
Foundation and Bridging Education
Status
Completed: 9 March 2012
Project Details
A project to evaluate the outcomes of a strength-based course called My Voice. A collaboration involving Trade and Commerce Ltd, BERYL Consultants, Te Wānanga o Aotearoa and Salvation Army Employment Plus.
Aims:
The aims of the project were to:
- pilot a learner engagement tool
- review the appropriateness and validity of learner engagement questions
- develop an evaluation methodology for trial in three educational institutions
- recommend learner engagement models to enhance learner outcomes.
Methodology:
The project used:
- a mixed-methods approach to measure the success of the project's learner engagement tool
- focus group interviews with teachers and learners
- triangulation of interview data against statistical measures of student cohort success.
Team
![trade and commerce](/assets/Organisation-logos/trade-and-commerce__FillWzI1MCwyNTBd.png)
Mike Hay
Project Leader
Trade and Commerce Ltd![trade and commerce](/assets/Organisation-logos/trade-and-commerce__FillWzI1MCwyNTBd.png)
Colin Campbell
Trade and Commerce Ltd![trade and commerce](/assets/Organisation-logos/trade-and-commerce__FillWzI1MCwyNTBd.png)
Lindsay Davis-Goff
Trade and Commerce Ltd![Te Wananga o Aotearoa](/assets/Organisation-logos/Te-Wananga-o-Aotearoa__FillWzI1MCwyNTBd.png)
Ray Miller
Te Wānanga o Aotearoa![salvation army education employment](/assets/Organisation-logos/salvation-army-education-employment__FillWzI1MCwyNTBd.png)
Cyril Shaw
Salvation Army Employment Plus.Barry Lucas
BERYL ConsultantsStatus
Funding
$26,666.00 (excl GST)
$26,666.00
National Project Fund
Key Findings
Findings about learner engagement
- Overall, survey data indicated that both the trial groups and comparison groups increased their level of engagement.
- The increases were higher, however, in the initial two weeks of the programmes for those using the My Voice framework.
- The results suggested that My Voice enables engagement to occur at earlier levels of a course.
Findings about students
- Students comments gained through facilitated focus groups supported the quantitative data that showed the positive impact on student wellbeing and an associated increase in self-confidence.
- Students recognised that My Voice helped to provide a focus and purpose to the initial stages of their learning.
- Tutors were seen by students as motivators, someone who values their ideas and opinions, a coach, someone who knows how they think and what they can do to help them learn.
Findings about tutors
- Tutors (who were not shown the quantitative results) recognised faster engagement rates, an increase in motivation and students setting higher aspirations than when they first started their course.
- Tutors agreed that a strengths-based approach provided learners with an increased sense of pride, self-esteem and self-belief.
- It led to more positive tutor-student relationships, observed through a decline in behavioural problems issues and more focused and attentive students.
Key Recommendations
Further evaluation of the My Voice framework | Carry out further evaluation to determine how the framework contributes to sustained levels of engagement leading to learner achievement.
A report by Mike Hay and Colin Campbell.
(PDF, 869 KB, 33-pages).
- 16 March 2012