O engajamento acadêmico de estudantes de química de uma universidade pública

Abstract

In this research, the Chemistry Department’s student’s Academic Engagement was analyzed. There were 412 active students in 2 different majors in 2012: Teaching Degree and Bachelor’s Degree, at a Federal University of Brazil. An overview of their level of engagement and the three dimensions that composed it was sought. Academic Engagement can be evaluated as a synergistic combination of 3 dimensions: affective, behavioral and cognitive. By evaluating the dimensions, one can measure the general level of Academic Engagement of higher education students and what this specific group is actually doing within the Higher Education Institution and in their respective majors, as well as how they feel and where they need further support. For data analysis and collection, a Likert scale survey was adapted from other Academic Engagement questionnaires and used. It has open access and can be found in the references as well as it’s validation. From the response analysis and the correlation with sociodemographic data, actions and policies are outlined more precisely, taking in consideration the socioeconomic characteristics of the studied group and their academic needs. Those are passed on to the Chemistry Department with the intent of directing improvements in the various levels of the academic experience.