I MPROVING S UCCESSFUL C OMPLETION R ATES OF O NLINE M ATH C LASSES Howard Speier Maria Wise Chandler-Gilbert Community College

O VERVIEW Why Students Enroll Why Students are not Successful Needs and Challenges Orientation Communication Assessment Role of Instructor Discussion

C HALLENGES List the two greatest challenges you face as an instructor of an online mathematics class.

W HY STUDENTS ENROLL IN ONLINE CLASSES ? “Attend” class at times convenient to them Access to instructor via e-communication Immediate access to guided practice and other instructional tools Comfortable asking questions in the online environment Opportunity for peer learning

W HY STUDENTS DO NOT SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE COLLEGE COURSES ? Inappropriate course placement Family and work obligations Inadequate preparation Lack of discipline and commitment W HY STUDENTS DO NOT SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE O NLINE COLLEGE COURSES ? Lack online learning skills Technology Issues Procrastination

U NDERSTANDING THE NEEDS AND CHALLENGES EXPERIENCED IN THE ONLINE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT Takes more time rather than less time Responsibility for learning is on the student Communication Conceptual learning

N ECESSITY FOR O RIENTATION Required Offered face-to-face and online Familiarize student with delivery platform Clarify requirements and expectations of the class Personal connection with instructor (face-to-face)

R EGULAR AND CONSISTENT COMMUNICATION Weekly Announcements Weekly s Discussion forum (required and open) Cognitive presence Social presence Teacher presence

A SSESSMENT Assessment must cover procedural and conceptual learning Varied levels of feedback Guided practice Multiple/single attempts Online/in-person Platform/instructor created/delivered/graded

R OLE OF I NSTRUCTOR Teach, not manage! Provide opportunities for interaction Student-course Student-instructor Student-student Provide opportunities for procedural and conceptual learning Delivery platform Discussion Forum Additional Activities

Q UESTIONS ?