Increasing Success Rates in Online Learning
Kathy Coleman, Chattahoochee Technical College
What is an online course?
 Education that occurs online via computer.
 Technology-based instruction in which students are at a
location physically separated from their instructor during the
entire course of study.
 Method of learning outside of a typical classroom
environment.
Growth Rate of Online Learning
(Gupta, 2010)
Why Do Students Register for Online Courses?
 Course flexibility and freedom to work at own pace
 Reduce or eliminate commuting time to and from campus
 Help students with learning/physical disabilities
 Easy and constant access to course materials
What Skills Should Online Students Possess?
 Ability to master material with minimal assistance.
 Have time/resources necessary for demands of course work.
 Comfortable with use of email as a communication tool.
 Self-disciplined.
 Ability to prioritize responsibilities.
 Ability to work independently.
 Ask for assistance when needed.
Help Students Make An Informed Decision
 Many students sign up for an online course for the wrong
reasons.
o “Online is easier”
o “I can turn things in whenever I want”
 Help students identify whether they will succeed in an
online format.
o Survey Sample Survey
o Pretest
o Orientation Sessions
Advantages of an online course
 Reach a larger audience.
 Decrease overcrowded classrooms.
 Offer more classes at peak times.
 Offer classes to students who have a schedule conflict.
Disadvantages of an online course
 Difficult to motivate students.
 Removes instructor from their comfort zone.
 Different teaching practices from classroom environment.
 No immediate response to questions.
(www.csuchico.edu)
Course Considerations for Online Instruction
 Learner Support and Resources
 Organization & Design in Learning Management System
 Instructional Design & Delivery
 Assessment & Evaluation of Student Learning
 Innovative Teaching with Technology
www.csuchico.edu
Learner Support and Resources
 Extensive information about being an online learner and
links to campus resources. Sample Resources
 Provide an on-campus Orientation Session
 Contact information for instructor (syllabus and in LMS)
 Access to a wide range of resources supporting course
content (tutoring labs, e-books with videos)
Organization & Design in Learning Management
System (LMS)
 Course is well-organized and easy to navigate. ANGEL
 All web pages are visually and functionally consistent
throughout the course.
 Accessibility issues are addressed throughout the course.
Instructional Design & Delivery
 Ample opportunities for interaction and communication
student-to-student, student-to-instructor, and student to
content. (Elluminate, Discussion Boards)
 Multiple visual, textual, kinesthetic and/or auditory
activities to enhance student learning (examples).
 Numerous activities that help students develop critical
thinking and problem-solving skills (projects).
 Course goals are defined and aligned to learning objectives.
Assessment & Evaluation of Student Learning
 Align learning objectives, instructional and assessment
activities.
 Multiple assessment strategies to measure content
knowledge (exercises, tests, projects).
 Regular/timely feedback about student performance.
 Provide opportunity for self-assessments and peer feedback.
Innovative Teaching with Technology
 Use a variety of technology tools to facilitate communication
and learning.
o Facebook
o Skype
o “The Cloud”
 Effectively engage students in the learning process in a
variety of ways throughout the course.
How do I keep online students motivated?
 Reach out and offer suggestions.
o Students will reply to your message more often than initiate contact
on their own.
 Ask what YOU can do to assist the student
o Makes them feel less isolated.
o Be PROACTIVE instead of reactive.
 Emphasize the impact of withdrawing from the course
o Will it delay your anticipated graduation date?
o How will it affect GPA and financial aid status?
Despite Our Best Efforts
 Students may not be successful because:
o Personal Issues
o Technical Issues
o Taking Too Many Classes
o Learning Style Requires Face-To-Face
o Lack of basic skills (Reading Comprehension, Math, Reading)
Questions/Comments
Works Cited
ROI: Rubric for Online Instruction. (n.d.). Retrieved February 2,
2011, from www.csuchico.edu:
http://www.csuchico.edu/celt/roi/rubric/idd.shtml
Gupta, S. A. (2010). College Distance Education Courses:
Evaluating Benefits and Costs from Institutional, Faculty and
Students' Perspectives. Education , 130 (4), 616-631.