readi wcet presentation

Using Learner Readiness to Improve Online Student

RetentionJulie Owen, eLearningToolBox.com

Christine Lustik, Western Wyoming Community College

Introduction

Online Student Retention – so many areas to think about! How is online student support perceived by institutions?

◦ Technology help? Who’s job is it to intervene or plan online student support?

Why do students and institutions struggle?◦ Myths/Preconceptions online students may have.◦ What students are in danger?

Why should we intervene, continue trying to provide support?

How can we intervene and help some student population?◦ Interventions? Support? Remediation? Tools?

Online Student Retention

Faculty DevelopmentStudent PreparationInstitution-wide ProceduresAdapting New TechnologiesCourse DesignStudent Support ServicesData Collection/Reporting

How is Online Support Viewed by Institutions?

Who in your institution develops tools/plans for online student success?◦Distance Education Department?◦Retention Committee?◦Student services or academic services?◦Faculty?

Who do online students call?Who contacts online students when they

register?

Myths/Preconceptions

Students

Misconceptions about distance learning

Unrealistic view of personal strengths and weaknesses

Communication challenges

Need assistance to help them be successful

Schools

Struggle with poor retention rates in distance learning

Very little knowledge of student’s abilities in regards to learning from a distance – not covered on ACT, SAT, college app, or traditional placement tests

Communication challenges Need information about their

distance learners to effectively plan and deliver online courses

Are responsible for knowing how to help their students

Possible Interventions - WWCC

Prior to ClassInfo in ScheduleIntro to Online Course

◦1 credit, 8 weeks or shorterMail letter to each student that registers

◦Username, password, email, directions to login, help desk info, AND demo course information

Demo Course anyone can access◦w/READI Assessment

At beginning of online class experience◦Use of demo course and READI in introductory

weeks/discussions

How can tools like READI help?

What READI does for Students◦ Helps dispel misconceptions

about distance learning◦ Bridges gap between

student’s perceptions of distance learning and the reality of it.

◦ Gives clear, rich feedback in multiple forms to a student about his/her strengths and opportunities for growth.

◦ Opens dialogue between student and administrator

◦ Offers remedial tools and suggestive helpful feedback text

What READI does for Institutions◦ Flags students who are at risk

and signals strong students.◦ Provides clear, defined, easy-

to-read scoring of student’s strong points and areas of weakness.

◦ Opens dialogue between student and administrator.

◦ Provides valuable insight to learning styles, attributes, and skills that should be considered in developing and delivering online classes.

◦ Assists administrators as they plan for future student services.

Where do schools use READI?

READI Student Test and ReportCan be provided to all students or used

through faculty.

Results Reported in School’s Interface

Color Coded Results

Graphical Results

Reporting National Averages is an Option

Tabbed Sections of the Report

Free Resources Provided for Each Section

Schools can Provide Info AboutTheir Own Resources

Detailed Info On Each Learning Style

Results Graphically, Textually and NumericallyReported

READI Administrative PanelCan be used by faculty and staff who are

reviewing the student’s READI scores.

http://admin.readi.info

Usage Metrics

Results At A Glance

Types of Support- Sharing Time!

What tools or other intervention ideas has your institution used to help

support/prepare online students?

Review

Skills students need to succeed online…Who supports the online students…Possible ideas/tools we can use….

Contact Information

Julie Owen, Secondary Education Account Manager/Marketing

(334) 356 8353Julie@eLearningToolBox.com

Christine Lustik, Director of Distance Education(307) 382-1757clustik@wwcc.wy.edu