Analysis of university academic achievement conducted among general education students and based on the nominal group technique and the Delphi method

Abstract

For the last academic years, professors at the Department of Education and Teaching Organization in charge of the General Education subject in the Faculty of Educational Sciences of the University of Seville, have realized that there are high failure and not-attendance-to-exam rates in this subject. In light of the seriousness of the situation, it is necessary to understand and analyze the causes of this poor achievement. The study is exploratory and the method applied is the nonprobability quota sampling. The sample in the Nominal Group Technique is 20 students selected amongst a total of 312 registered in the first year of the General Education degree. 10 expert professors in the subject have collaborated for the Delphi method. Data show that students attribute their poor achievement, in the first place, to the teachers of the subject, and then to his poor willingness to study. For teachers, the variables that most influence students’ poor achievement are: the difficulty of the subject, inadequate study skills, motivation, and excessive number of subjects. As conclusions, we have to outline the need to improve the study programmes and the strategic and motivational techniques on the part of teachers. Students, in turn, should improve their study habits, study techniques, and attend classes more frequently.