Aspects of Student Support
Dr Janet Haresnape (Staff Tutor, Science)
Dr Daphne Chang (Staff Tutor, Mathematics, Computing and
Technology)
The Open University
A challenging activity
• How does it feel to be a distance learning
student faced with a challenging activity?
Students need support for ...
• Academic, course-related difficulties
• Administrative problems, e.g. registration,
transcripts, timetable, receipts, fees, etc.
• Emotional and social problems
• Special needs (e.g. disabled students, chronic
health problems, dyslexia, etc)
The student journey
Pre course
Awareness
Consideration
Decision
Orientation
Preparation
Study
On course
Revision
Reflection
Pre course
Advisory
Staff
Student
Registration
& Enquiry
Service
Website
Students
and
alumni
Enquirer
Financial
support
Partners
Publications
Learner support on course
Local
Tutor
Course
Student
Learner
Support/
Advisory
Staff
Peers
Academic on-course support at
the OU:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Central course team facilitate online forums
7,700 Local Tutors support 200,000 students
10,500 contracts to process every year
Local Tutors work from home, part-time
65% also work for another employer
26% work full time in another University
Offer online and telephone support, online and
face-to-face tutorials and practical sessions
• Mark written continuous assessments, give
detailed feedback and advice
Learner Advisory Service
• Advisory staff provide information, advice and
guidance to students and enquires
• Queries may involve range of topics: study
support issues, questions about course choice,
credit transfer, etc.
• Range of media: face to face, telephone, email,
skype, video conferencing
• Combine both reactive and pro-active services
• Out-of office hours advice line service
Identify Areas of Risk
Students may drop-out or fail because:
1. ‘Wrong’ choice of course (not enough information?)
2. Initial engagement with staff was unsupportive
3. Submission of first assignment was too intimidating
4. Lack of awareness of sources of support
5. No-one identified or responded to warning signs that a
student is struggling and not progressing
6. Lack of systematic review of support services and
areas of risk for student retention and progression
GUIDELINES FOR OPEN AND
DISTANCE LEARNING IN
NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES
by NATIONAL UNIVERSITIES COMMISSION
• In what ways are you meeting the
guidelines?
• What are the challenges in meeting the
guidelines?
Develop and Implement an Action Plan
Action
1
2
3
4
5
6
Staffing
Processes
resources
Strengths
Weaknesses
Risks