Results of the Education Development Survey 2020
The information gathered through the education development survey helps to further develop the education, study counselling and student’s self-steering, the learning environment and the general working environment.
The survey was for students who are about half way through their studies. The survey is carried out annually.
The results of the survey will be reviewed and development actions are discussed by the Pedagogical Management Team, Students Wellbeing Team, Education Departments and the participants of development forums at degree programmes together with students.
The education development survey was open from May until the end of October. The survey was for students who are completing a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree.
The total number of respondents was higher than in the previous year. A total of 858 Bachelor’s degree students responded to the survey (previous year 702) and a total of 225 Master’s degree students (previous year 99).
Questions were as propositions and rating scale was as follows: 1 = very poorly, 2 = quite poorly, 3 = not well or poorly, 4 = quite well, 5 = very well and cannot say –answer option, that was not included when calculating average scores.
The results have been compared with the results for 2019 and the previous year’s results have been presented in brackets.
The results from a Bachelor’s studies
The results of the survey have risen in all areas.
The results of the education development survey are better than previous year. Every three parts’ averages have risen: 1) learning environment and working atmosphere in the studies, 2) study guidance and counselling and 3) your education. Averages were:
- PART 1: Learning environment and working atmosphere in the studies, average 3.8 (3.6).
- PART 2: Study guidance and counselling, average 3.9 (3.8).
- PART 3: Your studies, average 3.8 (3.7).
The best averages in the survey were:
- ” I have been able to include online courses in my studies”. Average 4.3 (4.2). There were not many variations between programmes.
- ” In my degree programme, the students are encouraged to take responsibility for their own studies” –average 4.3 (4.2), median was 4. There were not many variations between programmes.
The most risen averages in the survey were:
- ” The students are treated equally”. Average 4.2 (3.9).
- ” The flow of information is smooth and timely”. Average 3.6 (3.3).
Slightly lower average from previous year:
- ” I have been able to accelerate my studies”. Average 3.9 (4.0). There were many variations between programmes.
The lowest averages were:
- ” The studies offer close relations with the world of work”. Average 3.4 (3.4).
- ” Entrepreneurial skills and the importance of having an entrepreneurial attitude are emphasized in the studies”. Average 3.3 (3.1). There were many “Very poorly” answers and many variations between programmes.
- ” I have received sufficient information about the recognition of prior learning (RLP)” –average was 3.5 (3.4). There were many variations between programmes.
Many “I don’t know” – answers were:
- ” I get support in my international goals and activities”, got many “I don’t know” answers, 22%. Average was 3.6 (3.7). There were also many variations between programmes.
- ” The quality of education and teaching is monitored and developed systematically” got also many “I don’t know answers, 21%. Average was 3.5 (3.4). Median was 4.
The best average scores come from following Bachelor programmes (average score was more than 4):
- Environmental engineering. Mikkeli (English language programme)
- Information technology, Mikkeli (English language programme)
- Emergency care, Kotka
- Physiotherapy, Savonlinna
- Industrial Wood Construction
- Environmental engineering (Finnish language programme), Mikkeli
- Information technology (Finnish language programme) Mikkeli.
Information Technology programmes (Finnish and English language programme) got the best results in previous year.
In the open feedback which related to learning environment and working atmosphere in the studies, the most often mentioned comments were:
- The challenges of information flow.
- More clarity, interaction and instructions for Teams and Learn.
- More interaction in online studies.
- More cooperation in working life and business.
- A new Kotka campus is expected
- Distance learning is difficult.
In the open feedback which related to study guidance and counselling the most often mentioned comments were:
- Clear answers to questions are needed.
- More personal guidance.
- Information about the recognition of prior learning has remained unknown.
- More guidance to accelerate studies
- Accelerating studies has not been possible in practice, even if the student wanted to.
In the open feedback which related to your studies, the most often mentioned comments were:
- More working life contact and practical.
- Evaluation criteria and reasons for the grades
- Compulsory attendance.
- The schedule of studies has not supported the possibility to study alongside work
- The goals of the courses would be more clearly know
- The quality of the courses varies.
The results from a Master’s studies
The results of the education development survey are better than previous year.
Every three parts’ averages have risen.
- PART 1: Learning environment and working atmosphere in the studies, average 4.1 (4.0)
- PART 2: Study guidance and counselling, average 4.2 (4.1).
- PART 3: Your studies, average 4,0 (3,9).
The best averages were:
- ” I have been able to include online courses in my studies”. Average 4.7 (4.7)
- ” I have been able to study alongside my work”. Average 4.6 (4.4).
- ” In my degree programme, the students are encouraged to take responsibility for their own studies”. Average 4.6 (4.5)
- ”Students are treated equality”. Average 4.5 (4.3)
- ” I can get study guidance and counselling when needed”. Average 4.4 (4.4).
The most risen averages:
- ” The flow of information is smooth and timely”. Average 4.2 (3.8)
- ” I have received sufficient information about the recognition of prior learning (RLP)”. Average 3.7 (3.5).
The lowest averages:
- ” I get support in my international goals and activities”. Average 3.1 (3.3) it had also fallen the most from the previous year. There were also the most respondents who gave the “Very Poor”, and “I can’t say” responses.
- ” Entrepreneurial skills and the importance of having an entrepreneurial attitude are emphasized in the studies”. Average 3.1 (3.1).
Most ”I don’t know”-answers
- ” The language and communication studies included in the degree programme support the development of professional competence. Average was 3.5 median 3. ”I don’t know” answers were most, 38 %.
The best average scores come from following Master programmes (average score was more than 4):
- Project and Sales Management Kotka, Mikkeli
- Tourism and Service Business, Mikkeli
- Development and Management of Emergency Care, Kotka
- Multidisciplinary Promotion of Functional Capacity, Savonlinna
- Future Business Operations Management, Mikkeli
- NGO and Youth Work, Mikkeli.
In the open feedback which related to learning environment and working atmosphere in the studies, the most often mentioned comments were:
- Expectations for the new Kotka campus.
- Need for group, interaction and live discussions.
- Teachers are encouraged to respond to messages.
- The atmosphere is considered good, but distance learning is now perceived to bring challenges.
- Grouping is welcome.
- More cooperation in working life.
In the open feedback which related to study guidance and counselling the most often mentioned comments were:
- More and more individual, interactive guidance
- Good guidance is much praised
- The identification of competence has remained foreign.
In the open feedback which related to your studies, the most often mentioned comments were:
- Duplication of schedules.
- Increasing working life contacts.
- The quality of teaching varies.
- Fairness is desired for the evaluation.
- It is hoped that the selection of optional studies will increase.