Preparing Students for Online Learning

Lynne Witham and Ander Thebaud

Introductions

Who we are

Who you are

Small Group Activity: Make a list

If you have had an online learning experience, what were your challenges?

What were your fears?

What do you wish you had known before you started?

Best Practices in Online Learning: Research says…

A “Customer Service” culture of the college should provide: Community feeling

The program and learning each student needs

Credit for what they already know A delivery model that fits the

student

Best practices cont’d: Great teachers

Meaningful (applied) learning experiences

Constant communication Deliver on promises

Continually measure college performance

Hadfield, J. (2003). Recruiting and Retaining Adult Students. New Directions For Student Services,

(102), 17.

Best practices cont’d

Brief residency or some face to face contact Some synchronous communication between

students and instructor Program courses scheduled on a regular

rotation Ongoing communication streams

Centralized support for online students

Beth Sullivan, E., & Pagano, R. V. (2012). Relevant adult programs, resilient students, and retention-driven administration. New Directions For Higher

Education, (159), 21-29. doi:10.1002/he.20023

Factors Influencing Dropping Out or Persistence:

Not influenced by age, gender, educational level External factors have the biggest impact: family

and organizational supports Also impacted by the level of learner

satisfaction: How engaging are the courses, and how meaningful and relevant are they to the learner’s life, including their job, prior knowledge, and life experience.

Park, J., & Hee Jun, C. (2009). Factors Influencing Adult Learners' Decision to Drop Out or Persist in Online Learning. Journal Of Educational Technology & Society, 12(4), 207-217.

What can we learn from Unsuccessful Online Students

Classes are boring.Teaching is tailored to only to one

learning style that doesn’t work for all students.

Too much reading involved.Too much discussion and/or personal

sharing.Failure to log-on and participate.

What can we learn, cont’d.

Needed supplemental time with the instructor.

Needed good academic advising.Needed better/more computer and

internet access.Needed or didn’t attend the orientation

to the college and program.

Lorenzetti, J. P. (2013). What We Can Learn from Unsuccessful Online Students. Distance Education Report, 17(11), 4-6.

Choosing the right school: Buyer Beware!

Check public schools first. Our taxes help pay for them, and they are usually a much better deal for the student.

Do not let your student be persuaded to enroll immediately with any “enrollment counselor,” no matter how easy they make it. Easy enrollment doesn’t mean easy college credit.

Know what program the student is looking for; if he/she doesn’t know, get them some career counseling first or have them enroll in a liberal studies program to begin.

Know that the top three listings on a Google web search are paid ads.

Psychology Degree Online - SNHU.edu

Adwww.snhu.edu/Psychology-Degree

· Accredited & Affordable Program. Get Degree Info & Apply Online Now!

· Top 5 PSYCH Schools - Psychology Degrees 100% Online

Adwww.psychologydegreesearch.com/

· See Our Top 5 Psychology Schools

Psychology Degree Online - Ashford.edu

Adwww.ashford.edu/PsychologyDegreeOnline

Balance Your Work, Life and School at an Accredited University!

Search Results

Online Psychology Degrees | Search for Psychology Degree ...

www.onlinepsychologydegrees.com/

Search our hand-compiled online directory of psychology degree programs from 1604 colleges and universities across the US, and learn about online educational…

Money, money, money…be careful what they are choosing.

Tuition: (Annual Tuition/Fees 2013-2014, based on full time attendance) Instate public Metropolitan U, MN $ 6,582 Instate public Maine (UMM or UMA) $ 7,700 Instate public UMass

$13,528 Ashford University

$10,312 Kaplan University

$11,115 Everest University

$17,200 University of Phoenix

$17,500

Understand Financial Aid Financial Aid participation (assumed EFC of zero)

All accredited schools (including for-profit) can participate in:

Pell Grant (based on EFC) full Pell Grant $5,645

Subsidized Direct Stafford Loan$3,500

Unsubsidized Stafford Direct Loan $6,000

Total Package before private loans: $15,145

Grant money that isn’t paid back: $5,645

Loan debt that they will have to pay back: $9,500 + private loans

This is only for one year!

The potential difference in FA with state schools: Less Debt!!!!!!!

Pell Grant (based on EFC) full Pell Grant $5,645

Maine State Grant $1,000

FSEOG (varies) typically $500 to $2,000$1,000

School Grant (varies) typically $500 to $2,000 $ 500

Racino Grant (varies) up to $500 $ 500Federal Work-Study (varies)

$1,600Perkins Loan (varies) up to $4,000. $1,000Subsidized Direct Stafford Loan $3,500Unsubsidized Direct Stafford Loan up to $6,000 $3,755

Typical full award ~ $18,500

Grant money not paid back: $10,245Loan money they might take out and pay back: $ 8,255

AlsoOpportunity Maine

Educational Tax Credit or

special grants like Massachusetts TEACH

grants Only available to

students of instate colleges

School Degree program:

 Bachelor in Psychology

Per credit hour cost (tuition &

fees)

Credit hours required for

degree

Total cost to student

University of Phoenix

Bachelor of Science in Psychology

$616.66 120 $74,000

Kaplan University

Bachelor of Science in Psychology

$371 180 $66,780(includes texts)

Southern New Hampshire University

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

$320 120 $38,400

University of Maine at Augusta   University of Maine at Machias   University of Maine at Presque Isle

Bachelor of Science in Mental Health & Human Services Bachelor of Arts in Psychology & Community Studies Bachelor of Arts in Psychology 

$258   $266   $235

120   120   120

$30,960   $31,920   $28,200

School 

 

Degree Program:

Associate inBusiness

Per credit hour cost (tuition &

fees)

Credit hours required for

degree

Total cost to student

University of Phoenix

Associate of Arts, concentration in Accounting or Foundations of Business

$425includes course materials

60 $25,500

Kaplan University

Associate of Applied Science in Accounting or Business Administration

$371 + $210 tech fee per term (average 8 terms)includes course materials

90 $33,390 + 1680 = $35,070

DeVry Associate of Applied Science in Accounting

$609 if part-time $496 if full-time (+$1680 fees in either case)

65 $39,585 + 1680 = $41,265 or $32,240 + 1680 = $33,920

University of Maine at Fort Kent University of Maine at Machias

Associate of Arts in Accounting  Associate of Arts in Small Business Management

$273   $266

60   60

$16,380   $15,960

E-Learning ReadinessTechnological Readiness

Technology Access – computer and internet access

Technology Skills – internet and site navigation Technology Skills – email Technology Skills – willing to learn new online

tools Technology Skills – creating, saving, and sending

word documents; possibly also spreadsheet and database knowledge, depending on the degree program

E-learning Readiness Academic Preparation

Communication Skills – written and verbal Reading Comprehension Solid (at least foundational) Math Skills Meta-cognition – knowledge of one’s own

learning styles and study skills that can be applied to a variety of teaching styles

College Knowledge – understanding of academic vocabulary and jargon

E-learning ReadinessExecutive Functioning

Motivation and commitment to “stay the course”

Pro-active problem-solving and help-seeking abilities

Time and financial management skills are absolutely critical

Adaptability and flexibility

E-learning ReadinessExternal Supports

Family SupportOrganizational SupportFinancial Stability/Planning/Opportunity

Costs coveredResources in place: childcare,

transportation, study spaceBack-up Plans

Link to a variety of online E-Learning Readiness Assessments

Merlot.org – Multimedia Educational Resource for Learning and Online Teaching

http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewPortfolio.htm?id=731796

ACADEMIC SUPPORT PLANNINGCategory Needs Resources Back-up Plan

Living

Situation/Study

Space

     

Family/Social

Relationships

     

Employment      

Study Hours      

Technology      

Transportation      

Childcare      

Academic

Preparation

     

Executive

Functioning

     

Physical/Mental

Health

     

Financial Support PlanningCategory Needs Resources Back-up Plan

Housing & Utilities     

Debt Payments     

Tuition & Fees     

Books & Supplies     

Technology     

Transportation     

Childcare/Child

Support

     

Food     

Insurance/Medical     

Clothing,

Entertainment,

Miscellaneous

     

Additional Materials Available

List of Online State College and University Degree Programs

2-Page General Advice for Students about to start an Online Course/Program

Navigating Online Education – tips from choosing a program to starting classes

Completed School Comparison Charts Academic Support Plan Financial Plan Tuition/Financial Aid comparison - national