a smarter measure for developmental education
DESCRIPTION
Learn about the implementation of an online readiness screening tool to improve the retention rate of developmental education students in distance education.TRANSCRIPT
Presented by Dr. Lesli Lam Rowell and Krasi Shapkarova
October 1, 2010
The ProblemDespite HCC Distance Education (DE) college level retention rates being high (82%), DE Developmental Education (DevEd) course retention rates are lower than face-to-face rates.
1.No criteria are in place at HCC to determine student readiness for Distance Education.
2.Students have a history of enrolling in DE courses when they are not prepared.
Factors contributing to misplacement into DE classes:a. Myth that DE is easier, self-paced, correspondence-based
b. Face-to-face (F2F) classes are full
c. Conflicts with childcare and work schedule
d. Lack of transportation
The Problem
A Smarter SolutionObjective: To adapt and implement a screening
tool (Smarter Measure) to measure online course
readiness.
Purpose: To increase DE DevEd retention rates
Cost: free, through Virtual College of Texas
(VCT)
Opportunity: To promote student success,
improve retention rates
What is Smarter Measure?SmarterMeasure is a web-based tool which assesses a learner's likelihood for succeeding in an online learning program. SmarterMeasure indicates the degree to which an individual student possesses attributes, skills and knowledge that contribute to success in online learning, including:
7 Major Components
Individual Attributes
Learning Styles
Technical Competencies
Technical Knowledge
Onscreen Reading Rate and Recall
Typing Speed and Accuracy
Life Factors
http://smartermeasure.com/sample-report
Smarter Measure Components Implemented into PeopleSoft
Before a student can register for an online DevEd course, the student must take SmarterMeasure and receive passing scores. Scores are inputted into PeopleSoft, similar to other placement scores.
COMPONENT TESTING ID CUT-OFF SCORE*Overall Technical Competency (computer competency and internet competency)
TCOMP 80 or higher
*Technical Knowledge (computer vocabulary, ease and accessibility to computers/internet connection)
TKNOW 50 or higher
*Reading Competency (on-screen reading rate and recall) READ 65 or higher
*Typing Score (the formula used is to divide the number of words by the number of seconds and subtract the number of errors)
TYPE 25 or higher
Personal Attributes (traits, habits, and attitudes) ATTRB n/a
Learning Styles (visual, verbal, social, physical, solitary, logical, aural) LEARN n/a
Life Factors (circumstances that affect performance) LIFE n/a
*Used to determine online readiness **For counseling and advisement purposes
Timeline
1. Student signs in to PeopleSoft Student System.
2. Click the My Academics link.
3. Click the Begin My Assessment link.
4. Click the Click Here to Start the SmearterMeasure Assessment link.
5. Student will be automatically signed in to begin the Assessment.
Counselors and other staff members will have access to SmarterMeasure test ID and student test scores on administration pages: Test Results, HCC Test Summary and Academic Test Summary
Your Role as Advisor/Counselor• Familiarize yourself with SmarterMeasure
• Take SmarterMeasure!• Explain and offer options to students who did
not achieve passing scores why they are not able to take a DE DevED course: (ENGL 0310; MATH 0306, 0308, 0312; GUST 1270)• Encourage students to take a face-to-face
DevEd• Advise retake after 30 days have passed• Direct students to use the score report that
contains educational information to help improve their online readiness.
Questions: Refer students to AskDECounseling online help form found on our website: de.hccs.edu
http://de-counseling.hccs.edu/StudentSignIn/
Or 713.718.5275 option #4