Recreation Program Graduation Survey Fall 2009

Prepared by

Keith C Russell

Associate Professor, Recreation Department of Physical Education, Health and Recreation

Western Washington University

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Background Information The purpose of the 2009 Recreation Program Graduation Survey was to query graduating students from the Recreation program for their perspectives on the relative experience and learning outcomes associated with their involvement in the Recreation Program at Western Washington University. The on-line survey was developed from versions used in years past, but included new questions that were more aligned with recently developed goals and objectives developed by program faculty in the summer of 2009. This was done to more directly link the programs’ goals and objectives to learning outcomes in preparation for NRPA Accreditation in 2010/2011. Faculty reviewed the survey and had opportunity to comment on the content and layout of the question and answers. A total of 48 students were identified as graduating students from the program. A total of 45 surveys were returned, yielding a response rate of 94%. The following summarizes the results of the survey. Most questions are simply presented as to how students responded to the question based on simple illustrative descriptive and frequency statistics associated with each question.

Question 1. What is your planned graduation date?

Response Percent Response Count

Fall Quarter 2009 46.5% 21 Winter Quarter 2010 14.0% 6 Spring Quarter 2010 25.6% 11 Other 14.0% 6

answered question 44 skipped question 1

Question 2. Please rate each of the following aspects of the Recreation Program according to your level of satisfaction.

Very

Satisfied Satisfied Unsatisfied Very Unsatisfied No Opinion

Individual projects 14 29 0 0 0 Group projects 8 29 6 0 0 Field-based experiences 16 17 8 1 1 Quality of instruction 19 23 0 0 1 Advising for appropriate courses in support area 21 13 5 0 4

Advising in helping you explore different career opportunities 15 21 4 0 3

Advising in helping you address personal matters 26 13 2 0 2

Internship experience 22 16 3 1 1

Figure 1. Stacked bar chart of level of satisfaction to the following aspects of the Recreation Program according to your level of satisfaction.

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Question 3. Students level of satisfaction with the Recreation Program’s contribution to developing the following skills and abilities.

Answer Options Very satisfied Satisfied Unsatisfied Very

Unsatisfied Writing effectively 6 34 3 0 Speaking effectively 18 24 1 0 Critically analyzing written and other sources of information 18 22 2 0

Identifying, analyzing and solving problems 19 23 1 0 Working and/or learning independently 14 26 2 1 Working cooperatively in a group 28 15 0 0 Working effectively with technology, especially computers 5 25 12 1

Organizational management and socially responsible leadership 15 26 2 0

Using moral, philosophical or logical reasoning 24 18 1 0 Working effectively with other cultures 13 20 10 0 Analyzing complex social and political issues 15 24 4 0

Figure 2. Stacked bar chart of relative ranked levels of satisfaction with various aspects of the Recreation Program.

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Figure 3. The skill that students ranked as the most important skill they learned from the Recreation Program.

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Figure 4. The skill that students ranked as the most important skill learned in the Recreation program that would help them in their professional career.

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Figure 5. Stacked bar chart of ranked levels of satisfaction to the question: How satisfied were you with the Recreation Program’s contribution to your learning and understanding of the following concepts related to recreation and leisure.

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Figure 6. The concepts and learning that the students believed they experienced the most growth from as a result of participation in the Recreation Program?

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Figure 7. The concepts and learning that students ranked as the most important that believe they learned in the Recreation program that would help them in their professional career.

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Figure 8. Stacked bar chart of ranked levels of satisfaction to the question: How relevant and useful were the below courses and topic areas in preparing you for your career?

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Figure 9. Stacked bar chart of ranked levels of satisfaction to the question: How important were the following to your growth and learning in the Recreation program?

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Figure 10. Percentage of students indicating their relative emphasis area in Recreation Program.

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Graduation Survey

Is there anything else you would like to say about the Recreation program?

 Response

Count

  32

  answered question 32

  skipped question 13

Response Text

1 The recreation program has many things that really work, and many things thatfail miserably. Here are a few of both:

Worked = group projects, HR class, idea of what "stress" is, budget class,recreation foundation.

Failed = environmental conscientiousness, social justice issues, communityinvolvement, freedom to design curriculum(student input), evaluation curriculum,rec201, understanding of this being the "real world"(too intense in some sensesfor just school)

Dec 1, 2009 10:42 PM

2 I really liked how we grow closer to friends because of how the classes were setup.

Dec 1, 2009 11:15 PM

3 The things that matter - deep discussions about critical issues - were all cut short,while the less compelling aspects of the program dragged on ad nauseum. Somany ethical concerns (homeless recreation, environment, etc.) were only givenlipservice. The Phase was a lot of fun at times, but I think the WWU Rec programlacks meat. We are in a comlicated position upon graduation: hard skills schoolshave better hard skills, management schools have better legal and research skills,and business majors have much more experience with starting businesses. Weare more of a "jack of all trades, master of none" school.

Dec 2, 2009 12:04 AM

4 Thanks for everything. Amazing program. Dec 2, 2009 12:10 AM

5 It is the single most special thing I have ever been a part of, I have grownexponentially as a person and feel like my heart and soul has found it's calling inTR. You guys, the professors, may not know how much of an impact you actuallyhave on us, and I can definitely say that being in the rec program is the best thingthat's happened to me in my life because of what it has brought me and what it isallowing my future to become.

Dec 2, 2009 12:36 AM

6 The Recreation program is an absolutely incredible program. I couldn't be morehappy with the experience, the knowledge, the friendships and the passion I havegained from being a part of the phase. The professors are humorous andengaging. They give you all of their support and simply want to see you learn andgrow. The way the phase was set up was such a neat thing. I love how close Igot to each student and professor during all of the retreats, phases, trips, etc.This sense of community is a special aspect of the program that I am verythankful for. It is something I will really miss when we graduate. I am overallcompletely satisfied with my experience as a phaser in the Recreation program. Ihave grown in so many ways.

Dec 2, 2009 1:10 AM

7 The instructors are absolutely wonderful and made this experince special for me.Support was beyond what i expected. Thank you all so much :)

Dec 2, 2009 3:38 AM

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Response Text

8 This program is the reason i am in school and graduating this quarter. If not forthis I probably wouldn't be in school right now. I feel that I have met the type ofpeople that I am honored to know and now take pride in being a recreation majorfrom Western. This program has made me find my passion in life and what I needto do to fulfill it througout my life. Thanks to all the professors for your time. Thankyou for caring about what you do. I'm going to miss the Phase

Dec 2, 2009 4:17 AM

9 Also an outdoor emphasis. It was cool and provided me with a lot of perspectiveand insight to the general field of recreation and leisure.

Dec 2, 2009 4:22 AM

10 The general classes such as Management, Budget and Finance and Evaluationwere very community focused and it was difficult to relate to TR. However, I LOVEthe phase! I think that it is an incredible opportunity to have professors andstudents create relationships that are so supportive and can challenge each otherto grow. I am thankful for the emphasis in social justice and recreation philosophythat our program offers.

Dec 2, 2009 4:29 AM

11 I think the Recreation program is a very good program how it is... There is alwayssome little things that can be adjusted. I think that depends... on the phase...OVERALL.. this is a great experience and I feel lucky to be apart of it!

Dec 2, 2009 4:33 AM

12 The Recreation Major is not a simple academic focus. It is an experience that hasto be lived in order to fully understand what the major and field are capable of. Itoffered me my most challenging classes of my academic career and also theclasses that I've enjoyed the most and that should be a testament to the passionand dedication of the Recreation Department Faculty. Thank you very much, thishas been an experience of a lifetime. If one thing about the program should staythe same it should be the Phase System.

It has been a blast and I woll never forget it.

Dec 2, 2009 4:38 PM

13 There were many things that were difficult to work on in class, social justice talksand group projects, but were worth putting in the effort and I know are things thatwill help me in my future. All these classes could be seen as easy to outsidersbecause they are recreation related, but the effort and work that the professorsput into the classes make them worth every minute of my time and I feel alsosome of the hardest classes I've had. The professors are what made myexperience what it was.

Dec 2, 2009 5:33 PM

14 I love it!!!! Dec 2, 2009 7:17 PM

15 I wish I had known about the recreation program sooner and had known moreabout what I could do with it. I do like that it promotes a great deal of autonomy inthe choice of a support area. I felt that made the knowledge I have gained incollege much more important to my life than to just filling in requirements.

Dec 2, 2009 7:38 PM

16 I am very proud to graduate from WWU with a Rec Major. I have appriciated thegroup cohesion and investment of the professors. I would love even more socialinteraction to casually be able to talk with professors and gain from their wisdom.In phase two, the projects in Management, Programing and TR all seemed theexact same. It became very redundent. More practicality and less out of the book.What we will actually be doing in the real world. Also, I actually enjoyed being ableto go on an internship and come back and process it.

Dec 2, 2009 8:36 PM

17 This has been the one of the best decisions I have made and has given me somany wonderful memories and friends for life and I feel so very lucky to havebeen a part of such a wonderful journey.

Dec 3, 2009 1:59 AM

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Response Text

18 I had a blast!

This major has prepared me for a job that I will love and I am so thankful for that:)

I can't wait to get out in that great big world and help others see the value; theimportance and excitement that is recreation! I want to help people enjoy theoutdoors more and feel excited to play more:)

Every experience throughout the different Phases has prepared me well:)

Thank you!!

Dec 3, 2009 3:03 PM

19 Thanks for everything! It was killer! Dec 3, 2009 4:18 PM

20 Raise the academic standards. Dec 3, 2009 8:30 PM

21 Loved it. Struggled a bit this last phase, but appreciate everyone for bearing withme and keeping me motivated. Thanks for all the instructors and everythingthey've done for me and our phase as a whole. Your doing a great thing.

Dec 3, 2009 10:43 PM

22 best process of self discovery Dec 4, 2009 1:57 AM

23 Keith is one of the best assets to the Recreation Program, He is excited aboutwhat he teaches, he cares about his students and he's an all around humble andfun guy to be around.

Dec 4, 2009 2:28 AM

24 My participation in the Recreation Program was life-changing. From the people Imet to my own personal growth. I feel I am walking out the door with a fully-prepared to take on the world and completely able to tackle all obstacles in myway. Thank you all for your hard work and making this possible experience areality!

Dec 4, 2009 6:56 AM

25 There needs to be more focus on environmental and social justice issues. Scratcheval and have a political/environmental/social justice class

Dec 4, 2009 8:04 AM

26 My experience in the Rec program was overall very positive. I feel well preparedfor a job in the field.

Dec 4, 2009 4:53 PM

27 Opened my eyes to more than I would have ever imagined. Dec 4, 2009 8:31 PM

28 It changes lives. I loved it! Dec 4, 2009 9:51 PM

29 The Rec Program is awesome! There is no other program like it, and I feelblessed to have had such a wonderful college experience! Thank you to all theprofessors and students who made it so great!!

Dec 5, 2009 3:29 AM

30 It was a great experience. At times I feel like the work load was a little bit toointense and too condensed. Also, there were times (i.e. retreats) when I feel thatwe got too sentimental and mushy, and this distracted from the COLLEGElearning experience. Overall though, the profs where amazing and I gained andlearned so much. Thank you for the experience.

Dec 6, 2009 9:40 PM

31 Thank you for caring so much and giving so much. The personal growth Iexperienced over the last two years is a direct result of being a 'Phaser.' I carry inmy heart memories of people and experiences I could not have imagined better. Ican say with confidence that I feel ready to take on the big bad world with joy inmy life and in my work. Thank you for being the reason I have the skills to createjoy in my own life and share it with others.

Dec 7, 2009 4:11 AM

32 WOOT!!! Dec 11, 2009 8:31 AM