The following tables summarize responses to a survey administered to all SAU first year students enrolled in NSS 101 (n = 209) in Fall 1999. Individual question responses that do not total 209 reflect missing data.
Self-Estimate of Developmental Gains
In this section, students were asked to reflect upon their experiences at St. Ambrose up to the time of the questionnaire (end of first semester) and estimate to what extent they had gained or made progress with respect to each area.
Acquiring knowledge and skills suitable for a specific job or type of work?
| Very Little | Some | Quite a Bit | Very Much |
| 13 (6.3%) | 101 (48.6%) | 75 (36.1%) | 19 (9.1%) |
Gaining information about career opportunities?
| Very Little | Some | Quite a Bit | Very Much |
| 6 (2.9%) | 74 (35.6%) | 94 (45.2%) | 34 (16.3%) |
Developing clearer career goals?
| Very Little | Some | Quite a Bit | Very Much |
| 16 (7.7%) | 67 (32.2%) | 95 (45.7%) | 30 (14.4%) |
Becoming acquainted with different field of knowledge?
| Very Little | Some | Quite a Bit | Very Much |
| 11 (5.3%) | 68 (32.7%) | 102 (49%) | 27 (13.0%) |
Developing an understanding of a fine art (art, music or theater)?
| Very Little | Some | Quite a Bit | Very Much |
| 83 (39.9%) | 68 (32.7%) | 38 (18.3%) | 19 (9.1%) |
Developing an understanding and enjoyment of literature (novels, stories, essays, poetry, etc.)?
| Very Little | Some | Quite a Bit | Very Much |
| 69 (33.2%) | 94 (45.2%) | 31 (14.9%) | 13 (6.3%) |
Writing clearly and effectively?
| Very Little | Some | Quite a Bit | Very Much |
| 12 (5.8%) | 68 (32.7%) | 97 (46.6%) | 30 (14.4%) |
Presenting ideas and information effectively in speaking with others?
| Very Little | Some | Quite a Bit | Very Much |
| 19 (9.1%) | 88 (42.3%) | 73 (35.1%) | 28 (13.5%) |
Acquiring the ability to use computers?
| Very Little | Some | Quite a Bit | Very Much |
| 11 (5.3%) | 65 (31.3%) | 68 (32.7%) | 64 (30.8%) |
Becoming aware of different philosophies, cultures, and ways of life?
| Very Little | Some | Quite a Bit | Very Much |
| 30 (14.4%) | 91 (43.8%) | 64 (30.8%) | 22 (10.6%) |
Becoming clearer about my own values and standards about right and wrong?
| Very Little | Some | Quite a Bit | Very Much |
| 13 (6.3%) | 62 (29.8%) | 85 (40.9%) | 48 (23.1%) |
Understanding myself - my abilities and interests?
| Very Little | Some | Quite a Bit | Very Much |
| 10 (4.8%) | 47 (22.6%) | 95 (45.7%) | 55 (26.4%) |
Understanding mathematical concepts such as probabilities, proportions, etc.?
| Very Little | Some | Quite a Bit | Very Much |
| 67 (32.2%) | 74 (35.6%) | 51 (24.5%) | 15 (7.2%) |
Understanding the role of science and technology in society?
| Very Little | Some | Quite a Bit | Very Much |
| 63 (30.3%) | 78 (37.5 %) | 52 (25.0%) | 15 (7.2%) |
Putting ideas together to see relationships, similarities, and differences between ideas?
| Very Little | Some | Quite a Bit | Very Much |
| 19 (9.1%) | 86 (41.3%) | 83 (39.9%) | 20 (9.6%) |
Developing the ability to learn on my own, pursue ideas, and find information that I need?
| Very Little | Some | Quite a Bit | Very Much |
| 8 (3.8%) | 58 (27.9%) | 102 (49.0%) | 39 (18.8%) |
Interpreting information in graphs and charts I see in newspapers, textbooks, and on TV?
| Very Little | Some | Quite a Bit | Very Much |
| 54 (326.0%) | 97 (46.6%) | 44 (21.2%) | 13 (6.3%) |
Developing an interest in political and economic events?
| Very Little | Some | Quite a Bit | Very Much |
| 85 (40.9%) | 78 (37.5%) | 34 (16.3%) | 11 (5.3%) |
Developing an ability to speak and understand another language?
| Very Little | Some | Quite a Bit | Very Much |
| 122 (58.7%) | 50 (24.0%) | 26 (12.5%) | 10 (4.8%) |
Seeing the importance of history for understanding the present and the past?
| Very Little | Some | Quite a Bit | Very Much |
| 74 (35.6%) | 74 (35.6%) | 46 (22.1%) | 13 (6.3%) |
Learning more about other parts of the world (Asia, Africa, South America, etc.) and people?
| Very Little | Some | Quite a Bit | Very Much |
| 94 (45.2%) | 72 (34.6%) | 25 (12.0%) | 16 (7.7%) |
Understanding other people?
| Very Little | Some | Quite a Bit | Very Much |
| 3 (1.4%) | 60 (28.8%) | 94 (45.2%) | 51 (24.5%) |
Getting along with different kinds of people?
| Very Little | Some | Quite a Bit | Very Much |
| 2 (1.0%) | 36 (17.3%) | 92 (44.2%) | 78 (37.5%) |
Developing good health habits and physical fitness?
| Very Little | Some | Quite a Bit | Very Much |
| 11 (5.3%) | 66 (31.7%) | 79 (38.0%) | 52 (25.0%) |
Becoming active in local/national/global issues?
| Very Little | Some | Quite a Bit | Very Much |
| 88 (42.3%) | 85 (40.9%) | 26 (12.5%) | 8 (3.5%) |