Student engagement in community colleges : a Hong Kong case study

Abstract

Despite the widespread use of student engagement as a benchmark to enhance students’ experience and for continuous improvement in tertiary education (chiefly in the United States and Australia), very scant research has examined student engagement in the local sub-degree sector, which is relatively new in the higher education scene in Hong Kong. Guided by the theoretical framework behind the Community College Survey of Student Engagement (CCSSE) in the US, this study identified and analysed the main characteristics of student engagement in a local community college. By using a mixed-methods case study, it also examined how and why local and Mainland community college students differ in engagement. Both qualitative and quantitative data reveal that local students there were not engaged enough in active and collaborative learning, student effort, and their interaction with instructors. Inadequate institutional support did not engage students either. However, students were engaged in academic challenge. Compared with local students, Mainland ones were more engaged. Further analysis indicates that the stigma of being an Associate Degree student discounted their willingness in active and collaborative learning. Both English and Cantonese inadequacy may discourage Mainland students from being engaged throughout the learning process. The significance of this study lies in being the first student engagement study in the sub-degree sector. A survey tool for understanding local student engagement was developed. The empirical differences between local and Mainland students shed light on how to increase the level of student engagement, going forward.