Improving Online Student Engagement through Synchronous Learning Sessions Using a College-wide...

Improving Online Student Engagement through Synchronous Learning Sessions Using a College-wide Lecture Series ApproachHeather Zink / Hybrid Classroom ManagerRasmussen College

Contact InformationHeather ZinkHybrid Classroom ManagerRasmussen College [email protected] (email)twitter.com/zinkpath (twitter)facebook.com/heatherzink.at.rasonline (facebook)

download slides: slideshare.net/heatherzink

• Develop an understanding of blended learning opportunities for online students

• Discuss strategies for implementing system-wide initiatives in academics

• Discuss key components to engaging students in online synchronous learning sessions

GOALS OF THE SESSION

Copyright Rasmussen, Inc. 2011. Proprietary and Confidential.

April 8, 2023 4

Hybrid Learning

Virtual Live Lectures

Flex 50Campus &

Virtual Flat Instructor

Hybrid Delivery at Rasmussen


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Campuses in six states and National Online

Schools of Health Sciences, Education, Justice Studies, Business, Tech & Design, Nursing

Accelerated Bachelor Programs

Certificates, Diplomas, Associates, Bachelors degrees

Strong focus on career placement and enhancement

Market based.

College-Wide Initiatives


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First….• Senior Leadership• Academic Management• School Director • CMS Administration & Technical SupportThen…..• Campus Leadership• Student Support

Support System


• High failure, low retention course– Pilot project: 8 sections of Medical Terminology

• 3 faculty members deliver 9 synchronous sessions– Same content in each session– 7 days/week, varying times throughout the day

• Students receive discussion points by attending session

*

Where we started…virtual live lectures


April 8, 2023 8

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Morning 11amZink

8am Zink

7amMoore

Afternoon 4pm Moore

1pm Zink

Evening 8pm Evans

7pm Evans

830pm Evans

6pm Moore

Weekly Schedule of Review Session


Session content included:• Core elements of each body system• Pronunciation Practice• at least 1 YouTube video• at least 5 polling questions for student interaction--Highest attended sessions in red above*

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• 60 students responded to SurveyMonkey• 90% - sessions accommodated my schedule• 90% - would like to attend in future classes• 93% - sessions met my expectations

Student Feedback


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• I enjoyed being able to interact with the instructor which is something you can't normally do with online classes. NOTE: Interaction was a big theme.– Live interaction with the instructors. If I had questions, they could answer on the spot

instead of using email.– I think that these review sessions keep you more connected to the class and other

students than the discussion posts. In addition I think the live review sessions are one of the reasons I liked this class so much!

• The instructor would go over our assignment that was due at the end of the week. I really like that because when I didn't understand how to do something, it was like you had the teacher in class.

• I was able to get more information than from just reading my book.• They are in depth, a good replacement for having to go to a classroom. Very

convenient, everything is covered well in the allotted time.

Student Comments


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• Most were technical in nature– Wimba issues – resolved through PSC– YouTube videos not playing – Pop-up blockers

• Few thought the information was the same as the text and they didn’t need the sessions

• 60% of students had nothing negative to comment on -- review sessions were very helpful for them!

Suggestions for improvement from Pilot Project


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• Required synchronous sessions in all sections of M120• 5 points for attendance, 5% of overall course grade• Live Lecture Team – 5 faculty to deliver 5 sessions/wk– 25 sessions each week for students

Winter 2012 results are in….

Winter 2012 Project -- expansion


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The data is in…


• Average of 55% of students every week!!! ---up from 50% in the pilot group of 8 sections---

• 85% pass rate !!!

• Past Pass Rates – Pilot Instructor Group ---Sum11 to Win12---– Heather Zink 78% to 84.5% to 91.5% – D. Evans 85% to 82.9% to 96% – N. Moore 80% to 86% to 80.5%

74% Spring 11

82% Summer 11

84% Fall 11 Pilot

85% Winter 12

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Average Session Attendance


Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Morning 9am ---4---

8am ---3---

9am---9---

9am ---10---

7am---21---

11am---8---

11am---9---

11am---11---

11am ---19---

11am---37---

Afternoon 2pm ---6---

12pm ---17---

2pm ---12---

1pm ---12---

4pm ---7---

3pm ---16---

Evening 7pm ---22---

7pm ---10---

6pm ---10---

7pm ---22---

5pm ---11---

9pm ---8---

8pm ---18---

9pm ---18---

7pm ---21---

April 8, 2023 15

Of 567 students finishing the course…• 84% attended at least 1 session• 61% attended over half of the sessions

• 84% average score• 82% retention ---567/631---

Winter EOQ Attendance Stats


Sessions attended Average score0-4 74%5-8 88%all 94%

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• Professional Practice Activity – student success is highly variable

• Library and Learning Center staff attended sessions to discussed assignment specific resources

Embedded Librarian Partnership


68% to 84%

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• I was a little on the fence when I first heard about the weekly sessions but after attending I found it to be a very interactive and beneficial. I especially enjoyed being able to meet up with my course instructor. Look forward to seeing you Friday!

• I really enjoy attending these review sessions. I wish all my courses would have one!• I didn't think I would like these sessions at all, but I do enjoy them a lot!! They have really

helped me to understand each item in the chapter!! • I have to admit the first time I logged into class, and I saw that we had to attend live

review sessions, I was totally bummed. But, after the open house, and seeing how much it helped me, I now wish all of my classes offered this. One reason I wanted to do online classes was I don't like being in a classroom setting. I was homeschooled thru high school and it is just a personal preference, I supposed shyness has a lot to do with it. But I do like being able to get together online with the lecture. I really do learn a little more and it helps to explain a few things. Thank you !!!

Student Feedback – Winter 2012


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• Formal lesson plan• Each session should include at least:– Ice breaker question/activity– 5 course polls/quick quizzes– 1 video/animation – another voice than the

instructor– Interaction every 5 minutes– Webcam use & picture uploaded

Student Engagement


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Grade Distribution Attendance ScoreA 47% All sessions 94%B 21% 7-8 sessions 89%C 10% 5-6 session 80%D 9% 0-4 sessions 63%F 13%

Overall Course Average 81%

D132 Pilot ---Computer Applications---


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• Synchronous tools can be temperamental– Great interaction tools, but performance is sometimes

based on individual computers – Connection is a true determinant of how the student can

participate

PSC = excellent resource!• Most students do not have headsets – Send with course materials?

Technology Challenges


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Spring 2012 Projects


Pilot Group ---10 sections---B136 Intro to BusinessG233 College Algebra

Full Course RolloutM120 Medical TerminologyD132 Computer ApplicationsB080 Reading & Writing StrategiesB099 Foundations of Math

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Project Manager to handle logistics#1: Strong lead faculty• Start small – pilot with 10 sections or less• High impact course• Support from senior management• COMMUNICATION IS KEY!

How do I do this & what do I need?


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Course Faculty

Live Lecturer

Course Lead

Who does what?


• Create lessons• Tracking

attendance and grades

• Key resource for faculty

• Communicate info to students

• Connect with absent students

• Attend sessions• Deliver

lectures• Collaborate on

creation of lectures

• Connect with course lead

…and BONUS – increasing student pass rates & retention!

We are enhancing the learning experience & building community for our students!

Copyright Rasmussen, Inc. 2011. Proprietary and Confidential.April 8, 2023 24

Contact InformationHeather ZinkHybrid Classroom ManagerRasmussen College [email protected] (email)twitter.com/zinkpath (twitter)facebook.com/heatherzink.at.rasonline (facebook)

download slides: slideshare.net/heatherzink

Improving Online Student Engagement through Synchronous Learning Sessions Using a College-wide...

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