1. Colorado Online Learning Spring 2003 Student Survey Data

2. Students Who Responded

3. Student Effort

4. Clear Expectations

5. Support & Materials

6. Help Available at School

7. Learned about Technology

8. Teacher Understood Needs

9. Assignments Received

10. Prompt Assignment Grading

11. Helpful Feedback

12. Fair Grading

13. Teacher Cared

14. Clear Grading Criteria

15. Easy Course Navigation

16. Minimal Tech Problems

17. Good Experience Overall

18. Good Experience - By Dept

19. I chose to take this course: To get ahead academically To get away from school For fun or to pursue an interest

20. I needed to take this course: Needed credits Scheduling conflicts School didn’t offer a needed / wanted course

21. I would recommend an online course to a friend, if… They are self-motivated and self-disciplined They have access to a computer at home They want to work at their own pace For a fun and challenging learning experience

22. I would NOT recommend an online course to a friend… Technical problems (mostly on the student/school end) Communication problems — feedback slow, unclear or minimal Expectations and assignments were not clear Keeping up is a challenge

23. Colorado Online Learning Site Coordinator Survey Spring 2003

24. Characteristics of Survey Respondents

26. Student Interaction

27. Challenges

28. Quality Ratings

31. Student Success Factors  Student motivation  Independent work habits  Communication and encouragement from the instructor and site coordinator

32. Student Failure Factors  Procrastination, failure to keep up with the pace  Students are “on their own” and “not accountable”  Lack of effort, initiative

33. I Could Provide Better Support If…  I had more time.  I established better supervision of assignments turned in.  I could read their grades. Access to classes does not give me access to grade book. That way I could better head off problems before they affected student success in a course.  I had a better idea of the requirements for the class at the beginning. It was better second semester when some of the instructors started sending me copies of their reminders to the students.

34. Concerns  “I love your program, but this year, the district will be requiring student families to absorb the cost of the class.”  “Is there a way to solve this ‘no e-mail with e-rate’ issue?”  “Most of my suggestions have to do with the technology on our end, not yours. Our students need to have better access by having their own email addresses at school and not having to rely on their yahoo or hotmail addresses.” Concerns  “I love your program, but this year, the district will be requiring student families to absorb the cost of the class.”  “Is there a way to solve this ‘no e-mail with e-rate’ issue?”  “Most of my suggestions have to do with the technology on our end, not yours. Our students need to have better access by having their own email addresses at school and not having to rely on their yahoo or hotmail addresses.”

35. Kudos  “The online teachers were wonderful to work with. A big hand of applause and I wish them all a wonderful summer.”  “I have been thrilled with the changes and improvements this year with COL, and the exceptional quality of the online courses our students have participated in. Kudos  “The online teachers were wonderful to work with. A big hand of applause and I wish them all a wonderful summer.”  “I have been thrilled with the changes and improvements this year with COL, and the exceptional quality of the online courses our students have participated in.

36. Colorado Online Learning Teacher Focus Groups Spring 2003

37. Technology: What Works  Electronic grade book, posting grades  Direct email communication  Roster email, class announcements Technology: What Works  Electronic grade book, posting grades  Direct email communication  Roster email, class announcements

38. Technology: What Needs Work  Grade book speed, duplicating grades  Restrictive district technology policies and infrastructure limit student access  Flexible assessment tools (import, alter)  Math software, chat board (teacher control) Technology: What Needs Work  Grade book speed, duplicating grades  Restrictive district technology policies and infrastructure limit student access  Flexible assessment tools (import, alter)  Math software, chat board (teacher control)

39. Teacher Support: What Works  Responsive, supportive administrative staff  Quick resolution of tech issues  Actively involved site coordinators  Regular communication (emails from Tim, Ed)  Face-to-face meetings Teacher Support: What Works  Responsive, supportive administrative staff  Quick resolution of tech issues  Actively involved site coordinators  Regular communication (emails from Tim, Ed)  Face-to-face meetings

40. Teacher Support: Wish List / Needs Improvement  Access to parent email addresses  Easier to read master student list  Teacher handbook, policy manual  Student email address changes (limit or screen)  Site coordinator training, support, influence*  Professional development (refresher, follow-up)  Calendar support Teacher Support: Wish List / Needs Improvement  Access to parent email addresses  Easier to read master student list  Teacher handbook, policy manual  Student email address changes (limit or screen)  Site coordinator training, support, influence*  Professional development (refresher, follow-up)  Calendar support

41. Administrative Support: Phrases that Come to Mind  Efficient, energetic, enthusiastic  Visionary, innovative  Getting better all the time  Need outside support (e.g., distributing materials)  Can-do attitude Administrative Support: Phrases that Come to Mind  Efficient, energetic, enthusiastic  Visionary, innovative  Getting better all the time  Need outside support (e.g., distributing materials)  Can-do attitude

42. Administrative Support: Reaction to Possible Growth  Focus on PD for instructors (online, new research)  School visits, meet/train site coordinators  New ways to distribute/collect texts, materials  Ongoing faculty bulletin board * Only one group responded Administrative Support: Reaction to Possible Growth  Focus on PD for instructors (online, new research)  School visits, meet/train site coordinators  New ways to distribute/collect texts, materials  Ongoing faculty bulletin board * Only one group responded

43. Surprises  Increase in number of students (overall and in their courses)  Adjustments required to teach at-risk kids Surprises  Increase in number of students (overall and in their courses)  Adjustments required to teach at-risk kids

44. Challenges: Beyond Instructors’ Control  Student support at big schools  Lack of buy-in, resistance at some schools  Technical problems  Student work ethics, integrity  Varying district calendars Challenges: Beyond Instructors’ Control  Student support at big schools  Lack of buy-in, resistance at some schools  Technical problems  Student work ethics, integrity  Varying district calendars

45. Challenges: Would Like to Tackle or See Addressed  Training, job description for site coordinators; pay per student  Uniform email accounts  Screen out schools/students lacking basic tools  Offer open-entry for students (drop in)  Information about, assistance for students with IEP’s Challenges: Would Like to Tackle or See Addressed  Training, job description for site coordinators; pay per student  Uniform email accounts  Screen out schools/students lacking basic tools  Offer open-entry for students (drop in)  Information about, assistance for students with IEP’s

46. Teaching for COL: The Good Things  Fewer discipline issues  Working at home or anywhere, anytime  Ability to individualize instruction for kids  Helping kids to succeed after they have failed Teaching for COL: The Good Things  Fewer discipline issues  Working at home or anywhere, anytime  Ability to individualize instruction for kids  Helping kids to succeed after they have failed

47. Teaching for COL: The Down Side  No face-to-face contact with students  Long hours at computer -- ergonomic issues  Prompt feedback vs. misuse/sharing with other students  Demanding workload; not linked to pay; too many students per class Teaching for COL: The Down Side  No face-to-face contact with students  Long hours at computer -- ergonomic issues  Prompt feedback vs. misuse/sharing with other students  Demanding workload; not linked to pay; too many students per class

48. Additional Comments  Would like funds to periodically revise and improve courses  Focus on improving instructional quality  Revise courses, not the platform  Teachers appreciate their flexibility and autonomy Additional Comments  Would like funds to periodically revise and improve courses  Focus on improving instructional quality  Revise courses, not the platform  Teachers appreciate their flexibility and autonomy

49. Closing Thoughts  High marks on quality from students and site coordinators  Instructors motivated to provide highest quality; looking to improve  Site coordinator role is seen as key link by instructors  Professional development opportunities for site coordinators and instructors