Mrs. Karen Watson, Assistant Professor of Mathematics, Senior Certified Bb Vista Trainer, Certified Bb Vista Administrator

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HOW TO ASSIST STUDENTS IN A SUCCESSFUL ONLINE
EXPERIENCE

• Presented by
• Mrs. Karen Watson, Assistant Professor of
  Mathematics, Senior Certified Bb Vista Trainer,
  Certified Bb Vista Administrator
• Dr. Anna Holloway, Interim Dean of Graduate
  Studies and Extended Education, Coordinator of
  Online Instruction, Professor of English

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Before Registration

• Require completion of an online orientation to
  the course management system being used for
  online instruction
• Recommend that students complete the SORT self
  test
• Require attendance at a general Vista (CMS)
  orientation prior to registration
• Require students to have instructor approval
  before enrolling in a totally online course
• Encourage use of standard template for courses

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Pros and Cons

• Pros
• Enlightens students as to the expectations and
  rigors of online learning
• Familiarizes the student with how the course
  management system looks and how to maneuver
  through it
• Provides an opportunity to share helpful tips in
  time management as well as an introduction to the
  CMS
• Provides the student and instructor an
  opportunity to meet so that the instructor can
  explain his/her expectations/requirements
• Standard template easier navigation, more
  success

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• Cons
• Too many obstacles might discourage students from
  attempting an online class
• Too much paperwork to manage
• Some students might decide against attempting an
  online class because they were discouraged by the
  SORT test
• Difficult to find persons willing to lead the
  orientation
• Difficult to document completion of the online
  orientation
• Faculty feel restricted by standardization

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First Week of Classes

• Require one face to face meeting of the class at
  the end of the drop/add period
• Require completion of course orientation
  materials within the first two weeks of class
• Include self-introductions to create sense of
  belonging to a group
• Provide a mentor/advisor to assist students
  having difficulty with time management
• Provide technical support to students

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Pros and Cons

• Pros
• Students have a chance to hear first hand the
  expectations of the instructor.
• Students learn to use the tools required in the
  course.
• Students have a person they can contact if they
  are having difficulty managing the time
  requirements of an online course.
• Students know who to contact with technical
  difficulties.
• Students may begin to contact each other for
  support.

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• Cons
• How to notify students of the face-to-face
  meeting
• What to do about students who are allowed to
  register after drop/add
• How to connect the students with their mentor
• Campus network problems are difficult to
  diagnose.
• New technical problems occur.
• Off-site conversations between students (e.g.
  telephone or personal email) can detract from
  involvement with actual class mechanisms for
  participation.

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During the Semester

• Instructor
• Encourage threaded Discussions and model
  appropriate response
• Respond and grade all materials in a timely
  manner
• Use sandwich for criticisms (positive-negative-p
  ositive)
• Make personal contact with students via telephone
  
• Send encouraging emails

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• Send reminders to students who miss a deadline
• Require participation in Discussion and score
  discussion postings in a timely manner
• Encourage the use of Chat, including IM
• Have mentor check on students who are not
  participating

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Pros and Cons

• Pros
• Students learn from each other.
• Students can keep up with their progress in the
  course and can make necessary adjustment.
• Students feel a connection to a real person.

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• Students know that the instructor cares about
  their success.
• Students see how to correctly participate in
  discussion and how they will be scored.
• Students have a chance to get immediate answers
  to questions.
• Students are less likely to get too far behind to
  catch up.

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• Cons
• It takes time to read, respond, and grade all the
  posts in a good discussion thread.
• Students do not always give their phone numbers.
• Chat features do not always work as expected.
• Students do not always contact the mentor when
  they are in trouble.
• Mentors have a difficult time locating the
  student.
• IM takes students away from the LMS.

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Sharing Strategies

• What has helped you improve retention and
  student success?

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Thank you for spending this time with us.

• Mrs. Karen Watson
• Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley,
  Georgia
• watsonk_at_fvsu.edu
• Dr. Anna Holloway
• Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley,
  Georgia
• hollowaa_at_fvsu.edu

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Resources used

• Retention manual for eCore created by West
  Georgia College State University
• eCore Fact book
• VAT-L Listserv responses, University System of
  Georgia
• Fort Valley State University faculty feedback