Field of Action
My campus of a large for-profit university has just over 200 students. However, even with so few students great care and effort is put forth in enrolling, motivating, mentoring and managing these students. With an open enrollment policy and an on-line format for most classes the drop out rate can be quite high. Also contributing to these high levels of non-completion is the lower socioeconomic status of a large proportion of the students. Other causes of this high opt out rate I believe are:
· Students unprepared for the rigor of online classes and the volume of work required
· Students not prepared technologically to participate in classes and contribute fully
· Lack of commitment by the students
· Almost non-existent atmosphere of collegiality
· Sense of isolation
· Lack of support (even though the campus provides support, tutoring, mentoring and a Student Resource Center)
Not surprisingly, there is a heightened awareness of, and significant effort put forth in, both monitoring and coaching students to stay in their program.
I believe a key factor missing in the online model is the lack of “face time” with instructors, coaches and peers. While the campus could provide this and more, students resist coming to the campus due to time constraints, distance, inconvenience or other reasons. I believe all but one of the bullet points above could be ameliorated through regularly scheduled and mandatory Google hangouts in the students’ first term. I envision a group video chat conducted by the campus dean for at least one hour per week. Topics and activities would include tutoring with basic introductory subjects, encouraging of the students, introduction of the students to each other and their academic coaches and others. One on one time would be available after each session or scheduled at a later time to provide the students with personal attention.
Research has shown that 50% of all student who do not complete drop out within the first term or ten week period. Mandating a weekly video chat session during this first ten weeks with the Academic Dean should be able to lessen this high level of opt outs.
PROCEED TO FORCE FIELD ANALYSIS
My campus of a large for-profit university has just over 200 students. However, even with so few students great care and effort is put forth in enrolling, motivating, mentoring and managing these students. With an open enrollment policy and an on-line format for most classes the drop out rate can be quite high. Also contributing to these high levels of non-completion is the lower socioeconomic status of a large proportion of the students. Other causes of this high opt out rate I believe are:
· Students unprepared for the rigor of online classes and the volume of work required
· Students not prepared technologically to participate in classes and contribute fully
· Lack of commitment by the students
· Almost non-existent atmosphere of collegiality
· Sense of isolation
· Lack of support (even though the campus provides support, tutoring, mentoring and a Student Resource Center)
Not surprisingly, there is a heightened awareness of, and significant effort put forth in, both monitoring and coaching students to stay in their program.
I believe a key factor missing in the online model is the lack of “face time” with instructors, coaches and peers. While the campus could provide this and more, students resist coming to the campus due to time constraints, distance, inconvenience or other reasons. I believe all but one of the bullet points above could be ameliorated through regularly scheduled and mandatory Google hangouts in the students’ first term. I envision a group video chat conducted by the campus dean for at least one hour per week. Topics and activities would include tutoring with basic introductory subjects, encouraging of the students, introduction of the students to each other and their academic coaches and others. One on one time would be available after each session or scheduled at a later time to provide the students with personal attention.
Research has shown that 50% of all student who do not complete drop out within the first term or ten week period. Mandating a weekly video chat session during this first ten weeks with the Academic Dean should be able to lessen this high level of opt outs.
PROCEED TO FORCE FIELD ANALYSIS