Post on 18-Nov-2014
description
Elluminating the Road: Starting Your Online Tutoring Program
Leanne Frost and Chairsty StewartAcademic Support Center
Montana State University Billings
Elluminating the Road: Starting Your Online Tutoring Program
Leanne Frost and Chairsty StewartAcademic Support Center
Montana State University Billings
Montana State University Billings
4-year university located in Billings, MT
2-year College of Technology campus
Approximately 5,000 students
One of four Montana State University campuses
Academic Support Center
Recruits, trains and manages staff, including:
1 director An additional 5 FT and 20 PT
instructors, who also tutor 60 tutors Two part-time administrative
assistants
Academic Support CenterUniversity Campus
Equips, manages and staffs a main campus Learning Lab with: 40 computers 14 tutoring stations
Serves nearly 600 students per day!
Academic Support CenterCOT Campus
Equips, manages and staffs a COT Learning Lab with: 16 computers 7 tutoring stations
Serves nearly 125 students per day
Demographics75% of incoming freshmen take
developmental classes
89% are commuter students
Average age of student is 24
35% of students are 25 or older
Retention data on our 2007-2008 first-year to second-year students show:
Students taking a combination of online and on-campus classes are the most successful.
Students taking only online classes are the least successful.
Why Offer Online Tutoring?
Increase access for all students Expand hours for all students Increase access to high
demand areas with low tutor availability
Keep up with the advancing use of technology in education
Meet goals set by administration
Things to Consider Prior to Implementation
Things to Consider Subjects to be tutored
What are the needs of the subject areas based on the needs of the students?
Synchronous or Asynchronous or both?
What are your resources – enough staff?
Outsourcing/In-house A 2nd party virtual learning assistance
center? A regional consortium? In-house online tutoring center?
Things to Consider
Technology Available/Needed Laptop/Desktop/Tablets Internet connectivity Headset microphones
Noise-cancelling USB plug-ins
Webcams Software
ADA accessible Tutorials Access to electronic versions of
course materials
Things to Consider
Operational Expenses Software Hardware Peripheries Employee wages Training
Funding Departmentally funded Grant funded Shared funding opportunities
Things to Consider
Tutor selection Who is tech and subject savvy? Who is available to tutor and when?
Scheduling (hours/availability) What are the hours?
Balance between tutor availability and student need
During on-campus hours and/or extended hours
Things to Consider
Training Who will coordinate and supervise
the online tutoring program? Must know the program before
training others Certifications/tutorials/webinars
Start-up workshops Ongoing through semester Practice sessions
Things to Consider Gaining buy-in/support across
campus Articles in campus publications Notices to instructors Notices to students from online instructors A link on the campus home page A link on the student services webpage Demonstrations to faculty Workshops for students Posters Give-aways A “Grand Opening”!
Things to Consider
Oversight (administration--who is responsible for what?) Purchasing Training Scheduling Monitoring Troubleshooting Equipment Security
Things to Consider Tracking
Saving sessions Creating logs
Assessment Instructor feedback Student satisfaction surveys
Things to Consider
Implementation Time Schedule Set an approximate start date Research options available Obtain approvals Purchase software and equipment Hire and train personnel Publicize services
ONLINE TUTORING DEMO
Obstacles to Success Funding Limited technology
Students Tutors
Oversight Lack of tutor training Lack of tutors or availability Territoriality Faculty hesitancy Fear of the unknown Lack of awareness of services/program First impressions
Overcoming Obstacles Plan ahead, but be willing to adapt. Take the time to “play” with hardware and
programs before making a final decision. Work with disability services to ensure
access for all! Early decisions made in concert with all
stakeholders -- faculty, administrators, students, and tutors -- increase the potential for a successful program.
Respond to tutor and student needs. Provide plenty of training. Assess and adapt.
QUESTIONS?
Contact Us
Leanne Frost, Interim Director, Academic Support Centerlfrost@msubillings.edu(406) 657-1714
Chairsty Stewart, Math Instructor and Online Tutoring Supervisor, Academic Support Centercstewart@msubillings.edu(406) 657-2010