readi wcet presentation
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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 [email protected]
Christine Lustik, Director of Distance Education(307) [email protected]