DEVELOPING RESOURCES
FOR STUDENTS IN DISTANCE
EDUCATION
Lisa Webb, M.S., CRC
Interim Director, VCU Office of Special Services for Students
Factors Influencing Need for Support
VCU Quest for Distinction
Theme I
Become a leader among national research universities
in providing all students with high quality
learning/living experiences focused on inquiry,
discovery and innovation in a global environment
Theme 1 Goal
Provide students a quality education through
rigorous and innovative academic programs that
support and prepare students for civic engagement
and careers in a 21st century global environment
Theme 1 Metrics
% of students with internships, practicum, etc.
•% of programs with a high quality capstone
experience
•# of online credit hours generated
•Job placement rates
•
Theme 1 University Initiatives
Initiate Online@VCU to coordinate and support
online learning initiatives at all academic levels
•Require a culminating capstone experience for all
students
•
VCU Center for Teaching Excellence
Online Course Development Initiative
Overview
The Online Course Development Initiative is a comprehensive
program designed to assist faculty members with designing
quality online courses and developing skills for effective
online teaching. This yearlong program consists of several
integrated components that seek to hone faculty expertise
through interdisciplinary collaboration, critical reflection,
consultation and peer mentoring. Faculty members who
engage in the full range of experiences will be in a position
to provide guidance and leadership for colleagues within
their home school or department related to online teaching
and course development.
Distance Education at VCU
Online Programs
B.S. in Clinical Laboratory Science
Graduate Certificate in Aging Studies
M.Ed. in Sport Leadership
M.Ed. in Special Education: General Education
COVE (Certifying Online Virginia Educators)
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders
M.A. in Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Program Guide
Certificate in Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness
M.S. in Addiction Studies
M.S.W. with a Concentration in Clinical Social Work Practice
Distance Education at VCU
Hybrid Programs
(Programs that are a combination of distance education, traditional
classroom experience, and some online courses).
Ph.D. in Health Related Sciences
Graduate Certificate in Patient Counseling
M.S. in Gerontology
M.S. in Health Administration
M.S. in Nurse Anesthesia and PhD in Nurse Anesthesia Practice
Doctorate in Occupational Therapy
Accredited by the American Occupational Therapy Association
M.S. in Patient Counseling
Masters of Rehabilitation Counseling
M.Ed. in Educational Leadership
B.S. in Nursing
Virginia Community College System
Achieve 2015 Strategic Plan
Access · Affordability · Student Success ·
Workforce · Resources
Paul D. Camp Community College
ACHIEVE 2015 Plan for 2011-2012
ODU – implement collaboration with Old Dominion University to offer the
following four year degrees through Distance Learning
Bachelor of Science – Criminal Justice
Bachelor of Science – Criminal Justice-Police Science
Bachelor of Science – Electrical Engineering Technology
Bachelor of Science – Nursing
Shared Services Distance Learning (SSDL) – Implement SSDL collaboration
with Northern Virginia Community College – goal of 50 students enrolled
http://www.pdc.edu/about/presidents-office/2011-12-goals/
What do we mean by Distance
Education?
Online Courses
•Extended Campus Programs
•Clinical Education Placements at Various Sites
Across the State
•On the job training for workforce development
programs
•
Resources Available to On-Campus
Students
Academic Support
•Disability Support
•Counseling Services
•Crisis Intervention
•Drop-in Appointments
•
Resources Available to Distance
Education Students
Disability Support
•Technology Support for Online Courses
•Clinical Site Supervisor (may or may not be
available to student)
•Academic Support is very limited
•Counseling Services – not readily available
•
Online Courses Don’t Solve All Problems!
Case #1
Request for Admissions to Ph.D. Program
in
Occupational Therapy
Online Courses Don’t Solve All Problems!
Case #2
Medical Issues
Online Courses Don’t Solve All Problems!
Case #3
Technology Needs
Online Courses Don’t Solve All Problems!
Case #4
Student requesting admission to program offered through
distance learning that includes a clinical component
Clinical Education/On the job training
Academic
Support


Students who are on our campus during
their first two years have access to
academic support services.
What supports do they need once they
leave campus and begin either clinical
training or on the job training?
Clinical Education Support Strategies




Participation by our staff in student progress
meetings for students who are in clinical education
Cooperative agreements between our campus and
other universities to allow access to counseling
services if needed
A plan for assessment of immediate or urgent issues
at the clinical site
Meeting with the student before they start clinical
rotations, and periodic check-in appointments by
phone/email throughout the rotation
Satellite Programs
How do we provide academic support to
students at satellite campuses?
Access to Counseling Services
Scheduling an Initial Appointment
Must come in person to either location:
Monroe Park Campus
University Student Commons, Room 238
907 Floyd Ave.
(804) 828-6200
Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
MCV Campus
Grant House, B011
1008 East Clay St.
(804) 828-3964
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Monday: 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
After Hours Emergency
Please call VCU Police dispatcher:
(804) 828-1234 and ask to speak to a therapist.
Access to Tutoring Services
Small group and individual tutoring
available on campus
•Until this year, no provisions for satellite
campuses
•
Access to Academic Counseling
Intentional outreach and follow up with offcampus/distance students
•Phone/email contact when appropriate
•Travel to the off-campus satellite program if
required
•Use of video conferencing if available
•
Access to Disability Support
Allow for phone intake if distance is too far for
appointment in the office
•Allow for electronic submission of intake forms and
documentation
•May require a site visit if physical accommodations are
required
•Intentional outreach to distance students –
announcements on blackboard course, etc.
•
QUESTIONS? COMMENTS?
lbwebb@vcu.edu; 804-827-0971