AtD Strategy Team

Course Completion - Online Learning

Progress Report

2/20/08

Surprises

Of all AtD colleges to date, OCCC is the first to address online learning issues.

From Online Student Survey Results – students expected not to have deadlines

Potential Strategies/Barriers

1. Online Faculty Training –required faculty training for all online faculty. (perhaps 2 hr. session) This training would also need to be offered online.

Barriers: Development cost and implementation of requirement

especially for last minute assignments

2. Lack of Student Computer Skills – possibilities Offer ANGEL components in every OCCC course

(as instructor chooses to use) so that students and faculty are introduced to the platform in small pieces.

Barriers: OCCC would need larger servers to accommodate all courses. Instructor training.

Potential Strategies/Barriers (cont’d)

Computer Proficiency Assessment – for online courses - have a prerequisite of “C” (as compared to R-Reading, W-Writing, etc.). Individual departments decide on their courses whether the “C” should be a prerequisite for their online courses. For those who select it, if the student does not pass the “assessment,” they would be required to take a one credit hour computer proficiency course.

Assessment – would need to be developed Computer Proficiency Course – one credit hour (possible topics):

File management, Uploading, downloading, zipping files, Web browsing, browser setup, Email – how to attach files, Basic word processing, ANGEL navigation

Have learning styles survey assessment at time of registration

Barriers: Development/Implementation Cost

Potential Strategies/Barriers (cont’d)

3. Tech Support – crucial for students to be able to access beyond normal working hours. ANGEL will help with students being automatically placed into courses, but students will continue to need help with user ID’S and passwords – need to make sure we continue coverage with ANGEL.

Barriers: Staff and Personnel Cost

4. Textbooks/Materials - Students without books and materials when courses begin – it is critical that students get books first day of class. A recommendation was made to review OCCC’s policy on students charging in the Student Store, especially those receiving Financial Aid.

Barriers: Although there have been collection problems in the past, this option should be reviewed again.

Potential Strategies/Barriers (cont’d)

5. License agreement for software for students, specifically MS Office, to make it more affordable for students and would insure students have correct software. Barriers: not all academic programs use the same MS Office

software which may require additional licensing and online help desk staffing requirements. Question whether Microsoft will continue to offer licensing options.

6. OCCC’s main page website should have a menu section that is Online Learning specific with information about schedules/availability, enrollment, payment, assessment, counseling, IT help, tutorials, etc. Barriers: Man-hours to develop website template and then to

link existing pages to the site.

Potential Strategies/Barriers (cont’d)

7. Advisement – critical impact on student success Have embedded 12 month full-time advisors in each

division. Have departmental advisors selected from the full

time faculty to be given reassigned time for advising

Barriers: Personnel Costs

Additional Information Needed

Composite aggregated data for all online courses to compare to the same data for traditional courses. (Received 2/19/08 – committee will discuss)

AtD Strategy Team - Course CompletionOnline Learning Subcommittee

Dennis Anderson, Professor of BiologyVicki Gibson, Dean of Information TechnologyBrandi Henson, BursarPeggy Jordan, Professor of PsychologyJ.B. Messer, Director of Facilities ManagementMary Punches, Professor of EnglishJim Riha, Chief Technology OfficerJim Schwark, Dean of BusinessMary Williams, Professor of Computer ScienceAnita Williams, Professor of BusinessKathy Wullstein, Director of Distributed Learning and Instructional Services