The Influence of Classroom Engagement on Community College Student Learning: A Quantitative Analysis of Effective Faculty Practices

Abstract

Objective: This study asked how faculty behaviors and course decisions best predict learning gains for students. Next, it investigated how the identified engaging practices vary based on faculty employment status, course experience, course level taught, and teaching area. Method: The sample was taken from students and faculty at one community college with a Hispanic-serving designation in California. Student participants took the 2012 Community College Survey of Student Engagement (CCSSE) and faculty took the 2012 Community College Faculty Survey of Student Engagement (CCFSSE). Ordinary least squares (OLS) regression was used to identify significant faculty-related CCSSE variables that predicted academic learning, career learning, or personal development gains. Results: The models explained one third or more of the variance in each learning domain. Among the 16 significant predictors, seven were identified as having the strongest effects and served as dependent variables to determine whether there were significant differences in use of these practices among faculty groups. Faculty teaching full-time, faculty with more course experience, and faculty in career technical education (CTE) programs applied faculty-related engagement practices more than their counterparts. In addition, faculty teaching only college-level courses perceived better quality relationships with their students than faculty who taught only developmental courses. Conclusion: Grounded in the study findings are recommendations for community colleges to invest in programs that increase faculty availability to students and schedule courses so faculty gain experience teaching the same courses over time and implement faculty development programs specific to teaching strategies.