How Oakton Alumni Perceive Responses to New Learning Situations

Each summer, the Office of Research surveys transfer program alumni with at least 30 Oakton credits or an associate’s degree who were last enrolled one or three years ago. In 2003, 517 alumni responded to the survey. This year we were interested in exploring how alumni perceive their responses to new learning situations. They were asked to rate a number of statements in response to this question: “Based on your experiences at Oakton, how would you rate the following statements as they apply to your new learning situations at work or school? Please use a 5-point scale where 1 means ‘Strongly Disagree’ and 5 means’Strongly Agree.’” The figure below presents the percentage of respondents who rated each statement with a score of 4 or 5 (agree), 3 (neutral), and 1 or 2 (disagree). The complete wording for each item is:

· I am able to realistically assess my strengths and weaknesses in new learning situations.

· I find learning enjoyable and personally rewarding.

· I am organized and able to plan when I learn new things.

· I am able to adapt study habits and learning strategies to new situations.

· I am likely to ask questions and seek additional support.

· I am confident learning new things.

The figure indicates that alumni perceive themselves to be capable, organized learners who are able to assess their own strengths and weaknesses, seek help when needed, and enjoy learning. Absent data about students’ perceptions of these attributes when they first began at Oakton, it is difficult to assess the extent to which the College actually influenced these positive self-evaluations other than through the students’ own agreement with the statement that their experiences at Oakton contributed to them. The complete report of the Baccalaureate Alumni Survey will soon be available. Check the Office of Research website, http://www.oakton.edu/resource/oir/.