It can be challenging to identify students who would do well online. There are several self-assessment quizzes online that some schools require students to take; e.g. Will you be a successful online student?, How will I know if I'm ready to take courses online?
The students should be computer literate and have access to a computer outside of class--whether it be at home or a school-sponsored lab.
Explaining to older students that keyboarding is very similar to typing can sometimes reduce their anxiety. Cohort groups of peers working together can also provide wonderful support.
Student population is very important. While devloping an online program, we must consider the socio-economic status which influences whether or not they can afford a laptop or high-speed internet. If students aren't able to have those items at home, then we have to learn what basic computer skills they lack and develop and effective way to train them prior.
Our school has not started online yet. I believe they are looking into it. We are a business college and many of our students have been out of school for a while. Others are fresh out of high school. We prepare them so they can get a good job when they finish school in nine months.
We have several courses that could be online.
How would I evaluate which student in our demographics would be an excellent online student?
The student population of the online class, sets the tone of the discussion board/forum. As you may notice, you will have a different cohort of students every time the quarter, semester or module restarts. Therefore, the tone of the discussion(s) may have a different vibe or feel to them.
Having launched a hybrid program last year, I can attest to the fact students who want an on-campus experience often have difficulty grasping the online delivery format. While it does provide them with flexibility, it often challenges their self motivation and time management abilities. These need to be addressed to an even greater degree on-line than on-campus.
I agree students that are not familiar and are familiar with using online forums, chat and turning in assignments should go through an online orientation process. This will help the student understand and make use of all the available tools online courses can offer.
Online delivery is not appropriate for all students. Institutions frequently assume that online education will reduce their cost or leverage their resources by reaching students who can't or won't enroll in a traditional program. While this may be true, it is a mistake to assume all these types of students will succeed in an online course.
There are various assessments which could easily screen a student's aptitude for online learning. eLearning requires personal discipline and the ability to structure one's time independently. These characteristics are not a given just because someone is enrolled in an online course.
I come from the perspective that good student outcomes are the best recruiting tool. And to have great outcomes students need to be matched to the most appropriate delivery system.
Absolutely! As one example, the student population with a low income levels will be less likely to have a computer or internet access. This will make it difficult for students to meet course requirements. Solutions are available, one example would include students receiving a laptop computer. However this does not solve the lack of internet access the student will still experience and even though WiFi is readily available, it isn't practical to do homework at the local cafe for 3 hours.
I do believe providing access to computers and internet access at a physical site will assist local students. The cost to supply enough computers would be significant and may make the project prohibitive.
How would you determine charateristics of student population?
Would this be done by the registra or counslor
A student need to know that the instructors is available and reponds to their need and questions
How do would you advise an the instructor to be available for the personal attention they want with the online courses?
If we are able to achieve early and ongoing personalized involvment with the student, online delivery will be successful for everyone involved. It's when the connection fails for a multitude of reasons that the online delivery systems starts to falter.
I agree. I work at a University whose student population is mostly working adults, so the technology skills of our student's aren't very well developed.
It definitely does help to require an online orientation and faculty who is available and will personalize their discussions to make the students feel valued. Faculty definitely does serve as the advisors in online programs, so it's important to hire faculty who meets all of these needs.
Pamela, you certainly spoke eloquently to this topic. Well done
Program Directors or Academic Advisors know what students will do well online and what students will not. Yes, there are students who were put in online classes because of financial aid requirements but did really well. What helps is someone on-campus, a representative or go-between when there is a conflict between student and teacher, trouble will getting into the class, and especially to do an orientation. It really makes a difference to have someone like that on-campus, in addition to the Program Directors/Academic Advisors.
I agree with trying to make a personal communication with students with on line courses. Many students feel that instructors are not there for them. Even making messages, notes personal this helps the students feel more comfortable in establishing that relationship for fielding questions.
Do the characteristics of the student population influence the reasons for or against online delivery?
Yes.
I currently work in a 100% brick and mortar school. My students are 25+ years old, with many in their 40’s and 50’s. Many have no computer, or even typing skills. Some have tried other schools that have minimal instructor/lecture time, mostly computerized tutorials. They are leaving those schools to coming to my school for the live instruction. They love having me there before class starts, during typing practice, for lecture/demonstration, and during hands on time. I’m there to help or answer questions for the full class day.
If my school were to adopt online delivery I will suggest they market to the younger, or at least slightly computer savvy population. On-line learning is not for everybody. On-line for the at least semi computer savvy, face to face for those who are not. That’s 180 degrees from on-line to on campus that this course suggests.
Regards,
Terry
I do believe that the student population influences the reasons for or against online delivery. The population of students that one educational facility may have could be geared more towards the working adult population who don't have a lot of time. This particular group of people like doing a lot of online classes because it fits into their schedule without the need to take one more evening away from their family. However, in contrast, some of the younger student populations do not like to take online classes and would prefer to have the instructor in front of them.
Hi Linda,
It's the program directors/academic advisors who know the students well enough to know who they can schedule into online classes. The admissions people only tell them that online is an option if they need to take one or more for financial aid fullfillment.
Hi, Pamela, I find it interesting that the admissions people "knew" who could/should take an online course. Long hours worked to accommodate students seems to be the norm as students almost treat forums as email or Twitter on terms os wanting an immediate response. Striking a balance is a challenge.
In the past, our school's academic advisors have had more control over who to put in an online class by intially doing the scheduling. They knew who would be able to handle an online class and who would not. There is a new company-wide scheduling system now, that puts students in online classes that really didn't need to be; that schedule can still be changed. Either way, the students taking online have help, if they need it, from myself and the On-Campus liason for online students. We have both been trained in the eCollege environment used,and are here long hours for the students.
