This project aimed to improve the experience a difficult class by helping students understand how other students with similar situations had been able to overcome challenges. Related to this are potential benefits to improving persistence among all students, the sense of community, and generally higher levels of academic achievement.
We contacted recent students who had completed the course and collected stories of how they rebounded from adverse circumstances. Then, for current students, we presented these stories at two times during the semester when they might have been experiencing similar challenges, surveying them both before and after they read some of the collected stories.
We assessed the impact of sharing rebound stories on student self-efficacy and sense of belonging by analyzing pre- and post-intervention surveys. These asked short reflection questions on the challenges faced and the actions planned and taken to address them. The surveys also included 5-point Likert scale questions derived from related scales in the literature, rating (a) confidence in skills related to computing, systems building, and problem solving and learning, (b) self-efficacy and sense of belonging. On these surveys, student data before and after reading the rebound stories showed a consistent, positive increase in each of these factors.
The data also shows that of the 85% of students who found challenges in the course, 88% indicated that the stories they read inspired them to take actions similar to the story they read by at least a moderate amount. The stories also encouraged help-seeking behaviors: 85% more students planned to take such actions after reading the stories than before. We also observed that the stories helped to expand the students’ vocabulary for naming their concerns and for expressing more specifically how they planned to address them.
Transformative teaching and learning 'engages the students as partners in the learning process by giving them increased agency and confidence to overcome challenges that are inherent in learning. Involving students in encouraging and mentoring their peers also transforms the learning experience.'