e-student affairs innovative high touch in a high tech world
TRANSCRIPT
e-Student AffairsInnovative High Touch in a High Tech World
MEETING THEIR UNIQUE NEEDS
Allison MabryCommunication Coordinator
Distance EducationTexas Woman’s University
“Vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others.”
Jonathon Swift (Irish author and satirist 1667-1745)
How many students are we talking about?
Nationwide
• Total Enrollment in Higher Ed = 18,199,920• Annual Growth Rate Total Enrollment =
1.2%• Students Taking at Least One Online Course
= 4,606,353• Annual Growth Rate Online Enrollment =
16.9%• Online Enrollment as a Percent of Total
Enrollment = 25.3%
(Fall 2008 numbers from The Sloan Consortium)
Who are these students?
• Many are ADULT LEARNERS (however this is changing)
• Juggle SCHOOL, FAMILY and WORK
• LITTLE TIME or PATIENCE for POLICIES that make NO SENSE for them
• Very FOCUSED on TIMELY COMPLETION of their degree
• May need MORE ASSISTANCE NAVIGATING the university
• Most use EMAIL or PHONE to get the HELP they need
• May FEEL DISCONNECTED/LACK OF SUPPORT due to physical distance
Consider these relationships…
Technology
Student Affairs
Distance Learners
BEST PRACTICES
Amy O’KeefeDirector
Commuter & Non-traditional Student ServicesTexas Woman’s University
ITEMS TO CONSIDER
•Relationship among Technology, Student Affairs, and Distance Learners
•Administrative Philosophies: Separate vs. Integrated
•Innovation in Student Services Best Practices & Processes
“Don’t pave your institution’s cow path; instead, create a new, logical, planned path for services and select technology to complement the end objectives.”
Innovation in Student Services Best Practices & Process (Burnett)
•Student satisfaction•Student’s perspective•Added value•Choice•One-stop centers•Web portals•Staffing by self-service (70%), generalist (20%), specialists (10%)•Empowered frontline staff•Cross-functional teams•Strategic to institution•Executive support & participation•Shift from transactions t0 relationships
Best practice model focuses on…
Enrollment Management-Plus Model
Typical enrollment management services (minimum services to enroll & complete DE course)• Admissions• Financial aid• Registration• Academic resources
– (library, academic advising, technical support)
Plus may include• Tutoring• Career counseling• Bookstore
Even fewer plus includes• Student health• Student government• Personal counseling • Orientation• Virtual communities
WCET - Western Cooperative for Educational Telecommunications
OLSS-SAT (Online Student Services Self-Assessment Tool)
“ALL OF YOUR STUDENTS ARE ALREADY IN THIS VIRTUAL COMMUNITY [FACEBOOK] AND ASKING THEM TO JOIN A CLASS GROUP CREATES A VIRTUAL COMMUNITY WHERE THEY ALREADY LIVE; POSTING AN ANNOUNCEMENT ON BLACKBOARD IS THE EQUIVALENT OF ASKING THEM TO COME TO OFFICE HOURS IN YOUR BUILDING. POSTING ON FACEBOOK IS MORE LIKE SHOWING UP IN THE DORMS FOR DINNER.”
(BOWEN, 2006)
SUCCESSES & SETBACKSAnnie Phillips Newton
Assistant DirectorCommuter & DE Student
ServicesTexas Woman’s
University
Shannon RitterSocial Networks
Adviser Penn State World
Campus
Contact Us
• Allison Mabry: [email protected]• Amy O’Keefe: [email protected]• Annie Phillips Newton:
[email protected]• Shannon Ritter: [email protected]
• Or find us on Facebook, Twitter, & Second Life