Preparing Students for
Online Learning
Lynne Witham and Ander Thebaud
Introductions
Who
we are
Who
you are
Small Group Activity:
Make a list
 If
you have had an online learning
experience, what were your challenges?
 What
 What
were your fears?
do you wish you had known before
you started?
Best Practices in Online Learning:
Research says…
A
“Customer Service” culture of the
college should provide:
 Community feeling
 The program and learning each
student needs
 Credit for what they already know
 A delivery model that fits the student
Best practices cont’d:
Great teachers
 Meaningful (applied) learning
experiences
 Constant communication
 Deliver on promises
 Continually measure college
performance

Hadfield, J. (2003). Recruiting and Retaining Adult Students. New Directions For Student Services, (102), 17.
Best practices cont’d



Brief residency or some face to face contact
Some synchronous communication between
students and instructor
Program courses scheduled on a regular rotation


Ongoing communication streams
Centralized support for online students
Beth Sullivan, E., & Pagano, R. V. (2012). Relevant adult programs, resilient students, and
retention-driven administration. New Directions For Higher Education, (159), 21-29.
doi:10.1002/he.20023
Factors Influencing Dropping Out or
Persistence:
Not influenced by age, gender, educational level
 External factors have the biggest impact: family
and organizational supports
 Also impacted by the level of learner satisfaction:
How engaging are the courses, and how
meaningful and relevant are they to the learner’s
life, including their job, prior knowledge, and life
experience.


Park, J., & Hee Jun, C. (2009). Factors Influencing Adult Learners' Decision to Drop Out or
Persist in Online Learning. Journal Of Educational Technology & Society, 12(4), 207-217.
What can we learn from Unsuccessful Online
Students
 Classes
are boring.
 Teaching
is tailored to only to one learning
style that doesn’t work for all students.
 Too
much reading involved.
 Too
much discussion and/or personal
sharing.
 Failure
to log-on and participate.
What can we learn, cont’d.
 Needed
supplemental time with the
instructor.
 Needed good academic advising.
 Needed better/more computer and
internet access.
 Needed or didn’t attend the orientation to
the college and program.
Lorenzetti, J. P. (2013). What We Can Learn from Unsuccessful Online Students. Distance
Education Report, 17(11), 4-6.
Choosing the right school:
Buyer Beware!

Check public schools first. Our taxes help pay for them,
and they are usually a much better deal for the student.

Do not let your student be persuaded to enroll
immediately with any “enrollment counselor,” no matter
how easy they make it. Easy enrollment doesn’t mean
easy college credit.

Know what program the student is looking for; if he/she
doesn’t know, get them some career counseling first or
have them enroll in a liberal studies program to begin.
Know that the top three listings on a
Google web search are paid ads.

Psychology Degree Online - SNHU.edu

Adwww.snhu.edu/Psychology-Degree

· Accredited & Affordable Program. Get Degree Info & Apply Online Now!

· Top 5 PSYCH Schools - Psychology Degrees 100% Online

Adwww.psychologydegreesearch.com/

· See Our Top 5 Psychology Schools

Psychology Degree Online - Ashford.edu

Adwww.ashford.edu/PsychologyDegreeOnline

Balance Your Work, Life and School at an Accredited University!

Search Results

Online Psychology Degrees | Search for Psychology Degree ...

www.onlinepsychologydegrees.com/

Search our hand-compiled online directory of psychology degree programs from 1604 colleges
and universities across the US, and learn about online educational…
Money, money, money…be careful what
they are choosing.
Tuition: (Annual Tuition/Fees 2013-2014, based on full time
attendance)

Instate public Metropolitan U, MN
$ 6,582

Instate public Maine (UMM or UMA)
$ 7,700

Instate public UMass
$13,528

Ashford University
$10,312

Kaplan University
$11,115

Everest University
$17,200

University of Phoenix
$17,500
Understand Financial Aid



Financial Aid participation (assumed EFC of zero)
All accredited schools (including for-profit) can participate in:

Pell Grant (based on EFC) full Pell Grant
$5,645

Subsidized Direct Stafford Loan
$3,500

Unsubsidized Stafford Direct Loan
$6,000
Total Package before private loans:
$15,145

Grant money that isn’t paid back:
$5,645

Loan debt that they will have to pay back:
$9,500 + private
loans

This is only for one year!
The potential difference in FA with state
schools: Less Debt!!!!!!!
Pell Grant (based on EFC) full Pell Grant
$5,645
Maine State Grant
$1,000
FSEOG (varies) typically $500 to $2,000
$1,000
School Grant (varies) typically $500 to $2,000
$ 500
Racino Grant (varies) up to $500
$ 500
Federal Work-Study (varies)
$1,600
Perkins Loan (varies) up to $4,000.
$1,000
Subsidized Direct Stafford Loan
$3,500
Unsubsidized Direct Stafford Loan up to $6,000
$3,755
Typical full award
~ $18,500
Grant money not paid back:
Loan money they might take out and pay back:
$10,245
$ 8,255
Also
Opportunity Maine
Educational Tax Credit
or
special grants like
Massachusetts TEACH grants
 Only available to students
of instate colleges
School
Degree program:
Bachelor in
Psychology
Per credit hour
cost (tuition &
fees)
Credit hours
required for
degree
Total cost to
student
University of
Phoenix
Bachelor of
Science in
Psychology
$616.66
120
$74,000
Kaplan University
Bachelor of
Science in
Psychology
$371
180
$66,780
(includes texts)
Southern New
Hampshire
University
Bachelor of Arts
in Psychology
$320
120
$38,400
University of
Maine at Augusta
Bachelor of
$258
Science in Mental
Health & Human
Services
$266
Bachelor of Arts
in Psychology &
Community
Studies
$235
120
$30,960
120
$31,920
120
$28,200
University of
Maine at Machias
University of
Maine at Presque
Isle
Bachelor of Arts
in Psychology
School
Degree Program:
Associate in
Business
Per credit hour
cost (tuition &
fees)
Credit hours
required for
degree
Total cost to
student
University of
Phoenix
Associate of Arts,
concentration in
Accounting or
Foundations of
Business
$425
includes course
materials
60
$25,500
Kaplan University
Associate of
Applied Science in
Accounting or
Business
Administration
$371 + $210 tech
fee per term
(average 8 terms)
includes course
materials
90
$33,390 + 1680
= $35,070
DeVry
Associate of
Applied Science in
Accounting
$609 if part-time
65
$39,585 + 1680
= $41,265
$496 if full-time
(+$1680 fees in
either case)
or $32,240 +
1680 = $33,920
University of
Maine at Fort
Kent
Associate of Arts
in Accounting
$273
60
$16,380
University of
Maine at Machias
Associate of Arts
in Small Business
Management
$266
60
$15,960
E-Learning Readiness
Technological Readiness

Technology Access – computer and internet access

Technology Skills – internet and site navigation

Technology Skills – email

Technology Skills – willing to learn new online
tools

Technology Skills – creating, saving, and sending
word documents; possibly also spreadsheet and
database knowledge, depending on the degree
program
E-learning Readiness
Academic Preparation

Communication Skills – written and verbal

Reading Comprehension

Solid (at least foundational) Math Skills

Meta-cognition – knowledge of one’s own learning
styles and study skills that can be applied to a
variety of teaching styles

College Knowledge – understanding of academic
vocabulary and jargon
E-learning Readiness
Executive Functioning
 Motivation
and commitment to “stay the
course”
 Pro-active problem-solving and helpseeking abilities
 Time and financial management skills are
absolutely critical
 Adaptability and flexibility
E-learning Readiness
External Supports
 Family
Support
 Organizational
Support
 Financial
Stability/Planning/Opportunity
Costs covered
 Resources
in place: childcare,
transportation, study space
 Back-up
Plans
Link to a variety of online E-Learning
Readiness Assessments


Merlot.org – Multimedia Educational Resource for Learning and
Online Teaching
http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewPortfolio.htm?id=731796
ACADEMIC SUPPORT PLANNING
Category
Living Situation/Study
Space
Family/Social
Relationships
Employment
Study Hours
Technology
Transportation
Childcare
Academic Preparation
Executive Functioning
Physical/Mental Health
Needs
Resources
Back-up Plan
Financial Support Planning
Category
Housing & Utilities
Debt Payments
Tuition & Fees
Books & Supplies
Technology
Transportation
Childcare/Child Support
Food
Insurance/Medical
Clothing, Entertainment,
Miscellaneous
Needs
Resources
Back-up Plan
Additional Materials Available







List of Online State College and University Degree
Programs
2-Page General Advice for Students about to start an
Online Course/Program
Navigating Online Education – tips from choosing a
program to starting classes
Completed School Comparison Charts
Academic Support Plan
Financial Plan
Tuition/Financial Aid comparison - national