Assessing student experience as a tool for designing educational strategies at the university

Abstract

This article investigates how the student experience, expressed through a student's subjective understanding of their educational and professional activities, impacts their subsequent professional development and engagement in the educational process. The study aims to analyze students' experiences, exploring their influence on their successful participation in their scientific and educational activities. We evaluated student experience by examining the presence of self-educational competencies, learning preferences, and motivations. Utilizing Qualtrics, we surveyed students from all courses in three leading universities in Kazakhstan, and the results were analyzed using R Studio. The survey results highlight functional differences in student experience at different stages of university study. A comparative analysis of student experience indicators across all courses indicates the need to adequately form experiences of independent activities at the university or selfeducation. Moreover, without a deliberate focus in this direction, there is a tendency for students' activity to decrease in specific parameters crucial for professional development. The theoretical and empirical findings, conclusions, and recommendations in the article offer valuable insights for teachers and interested staff in the universities. These insights can be applied in the educational process to enhance students' engagement in various educational practices and when designing educational strategies.