The Student Empowerment Programme September 2002-2006

During the four year time period, the DCU Counselling Service offered a ‘Personal Effectiveness Training Programme’. It was funded by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) via the Access Targeted Initiative Scheme. The programme was directed by Helena Ahern, Head of the DCU Counselling Service.

Course content:

Unit 1

• Time & Self-Management Awareness and Skills
• Motivation and Anti-Procrastination Insight and Strategies
• Effectively Negotiating Learning Barriers
• Self-Directive Learning Approaches and Methods
• Effective Presentation Skills and Practices
• Using presentation Anxiety to Your Advantage

Unit 2

• Self Confidence / Self Esteem Building
• Interpersonal Communication Skills
• Assertiveness Training
• Conflict Management

Unit 3

• Team/Group Building Skills and Awareness
• Cultural Awareness
• Decision Making Approaches and Skills
• Problem solving Strategies and Insights
• Effective Planning Behaviours
• Stress Management

Unit 4

• Health Promoting Awareness and Behaviours
• Target Health Behaviours
• Motivation and Reasoned Action
• Relapse Prevention

Unit 5

• Leadership Development Training
• Developing Your Leadership Style
• How to present what you have learned in an interview setting.
• Interview skills

Evaluation

At the end of each year a questionnaire was distributed to participants seeking their evaluation on the efficacy of the programme. Students were informed that they could complete the questionnaire anonymously.

The questionnaire consisted of two sections. Section A focused on participant's perceptions of how much effect the course had on their personal effectiveness, while Section B examined issues of presentation and course content. There were ten questions in all, requiring both quantitive and qualitive responses.

The following is a sample of some of the outcomes derived at through this process. A full report for each year of the programme can be obtained from Helena Ahern, Head of Counselling Service at helena.ahern@dcu.ie

Academic Year 2002 - 2003

During this academic year 78 students participated in the programme, with 98% rating the course as very helpful / helpful. Specifically the evaluation results clearly showed that participants felt the course had been beneficial in increasing their level of personal effectiveness. 80% of students rated themselves as being very poor to average on their personal effectiveness prior to undertaking the course, while only 7% of students rated themselves as very poor to average on completion of the programme.

The most important aspects of learning as rated by these students were:

•  Presentation Techniques 53%

•  Team Work 47%

•  Self Confidence / Assertiveness 42%

•  Time Management 40%

•  Leadership & Conflict Management 33%

•  Motivation & Anti-Procrastination 27%

•  Communication Skills 11%

Academic Year 2003 - 2004

67 students participated with 92.5% rating the programme as either very helpful / helpful to their overall education. 98.2% reported that they were ‘very satisfied / satisfied' with the overall programme .

Participants outlined that the most important aspects of learning for them were:

•  Teamwork and Group Work

•  Time Management

•  Presentation Skills

•  Leadership styles and approaches

•  Assertiveness

•  Anti-Procrastination Skills

•  Conflict Management

•  Study Skills

•  Interpersonal Communication

•  Learning Skills

•  Stress Management

•  Decision Making

Academic Year 2004 - 2005

118 students applied for this programme, with 79% of students successfully completing it.

A similar outcome profile as evident in previous years emerged in this study with 90% of students rating the course as ‘very helpful / helpful' to their overall education. When students were asked to elaborate on this the following comments which were coded into the categories cited below emerged.

•  Practical Skills which can be applied to other areas of life

•  A Broader Prospective to life

•  Enhanced Personal Development

•  Increased Social Contact and Support

•  Increased Self Awareness

•  Increased Personal Control

•  Useful to all Students

•  Increased group and social skills

•  Course Valued highly by Employers

A significant change in personal effectiveness was reported by participants following course completion. 91% of participants stated that they had made changes in their lives, mainly in the areas of time management, self-confidence and in awareness of self and others.

For many students the atmosphere created by the group, and the facilitator, appeared to be a primary factor in their enjoyment of the course experience and in the effective delivery of course content. The atmosphere was cited as being relaxed and supportive, and students felt that they were a valued member of the group, within which their views and opinions were respected. One participant said that they would ‘thoroughly recommend this course to anyone who feels like they don't belong in this college'. The group are genuine people who are there to seek guidance and inspiration and this is what S.E.P. is about – they make you feel like you are part of something special in DCU'. The circular arrangement of the group appeared to contribute to this impression, ‘sitting in a circle, each and everybody mattered'. Students also appeared to appreciate the degree of input and choice they were afforded in regard to topics covered in the sessions. The opportunity for social interaction was also considered to be an important factor in students' appraisal of the programme. Facilitators were seen as highly effective and the overall level of satisfaction with the course was very high

Academic Year 2005 - 2006

The evaluation of the programme was once again a very positive one overall . 97.6% of students said they made changes in their habits as a result of undertaking the course. Specifically participants improved their time management, assertiveness, presentation and communication skills. In addition they improved in their team work, group work, stress management, interview skills and self awareness.

Participants when asked to comment on the way in which the course was presented and what they found most effective, the following outcome was elicited. Students liked:

•  Having an input into deciding what aspects of the programme were covered

•  The teaching techniques used, for example, games and activities, mixture of theoretical with the practical materials, worksheets and handouts.

•  The interaction and sharing in the group

•  The teachers

•  Organisation of the course

•  Practical skills which can be implemented into other areas of life

•  Receiving and giving feedback and learning how to do it

•  The presentations

Students also rated as very effective the following elements of the programme:

•  Relaxed atmosphere

•  Presented with confidence and understanding

•  Lead in a calm, open-way, encouraging learning

•  Theory and concepts presented in as understandable manner

•  Enthusiastic

•  Creative and interactive

Some student feedback from participants of the Personal Effectiveness Training Programme (2006 )

“This programme was very useful. There is no point in having a university degree if one does not have the skills covered on this course”.

“This year I finally got my act together, and the student empowerment programme definitely contributed to this. I think it's a wonderful opportunity for students. Thanks and congratulations to DCU for offering it”.

“Assertiveness, goal setting and motivation were for me the most important things I learned”.

“I was a bit apprehensive to begin with but I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and learned a lot”.

“Excellent course. Very valuable and enjoyable”.