Open AccessThe double-edged sword of 'best aspects' and 'needs improvement' in student experiences: A qualitative analysis
Author(s) -
Lily A. ArasaratnamSmith,
Narelle Jane Coetzee,
Courtney Hodson
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of university teaching and learning practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.258
H-Index - 8
ISSN - 1449-9789
DOI - 10.53761/1.18.3.6
Subject(s) - globe , higher education , sword , context (archaeology) , qualitative research , pedagogy , qualitative analysis , content analysis , sociology , psychology , medical education , public relations , political science , engineering , medicine , geography , social science , mechanical engineering , archaeology , neuroscience , law
Improving student experiences in higher education is of ongoing interest to colleges and universities across the globe. Non-university higher education institutions (NUHEIs) have outperformed universities in Australian national surveys on student experience. The present study examines qualitative responses of the Student Experience Survey within the context of Alphacrucis College (AC), a faith-based, private NUHEI to provide a contextualised understanding of NUHEIs as well as to explore reasons why NUHEIs outperform universities in most student experience categories. Content analysis revealed several themes in areas of ‘best experience’ and ‘needs improvement.’ Results were examined across AQF levels and three study modes, namely online, blended, and on-campus. Findings are discussed in terms of the NUHEI student experience, lecturer training, lecturer performance indicators, and institutional infrastructure.