1. Recruiting and Orienting Distance Ed Students Presented by Beth Hale and Marcia Arthur, Renton Technical College Summer Institute, July 2004

2. Recruiting Students Identify your target audience. Narrowing your audience will help you decide how and where to reach them

3. THESE SHOULD CORRESPOND TARGET-AUDIENCE NEEDS AND SKILL LEVELS COURSE GOALS AND STRUCTURE CURRICULUM OBJECTIVES AND REQUIREMENTS

4. COURSE GOALS AND STRUCTURE  Do the course goals match the learning goals of the target audience?  Have you identified the reasons for using distance education? (access or intensity)  Do the course structure and requirements match the access and time demands of your audience?

5. CURRICULUM OBJECTIVES AND REQUIREMENTS  Do the curriculum objectives match the course goals?  Are the curriculum objectives at the right learning level for your audience?  What technical skills and computer equipment does the curriculum require from the student?

6. TARGET-AUDIENCE NEEDS AND SKILL LEVELS  What are their educational needs and goals?  Are there time and transportation constraints for students?  Can students access and use technology?  Do students have the academic background for the curriculum content?

7. Ways to Recruit Students: Mailing to waiting list or other targeted list Brochures in registration and advising Post flyers and posters in community Announcement or ad in school catalogue Word-of-mouth and outreach WorkSource, caseworker or other service agency referral Advertise in newspaper or radio Online advertising or listing Partner with outside agency or employer

8. Possible Partnering Organizations: Local businesses and employers Housing authorities and housing projects Veteran’s organizations Unions One-stop career and job training centers Head Start and Even Start programs Church organizations Social service agencies Homeless shelters Public libraries Senior citizens’ centers

9. Orienting Students

10. Reasons for Orienting Distance Ed Students: Intake and CASAS testing Assess technical preparedness Assess academic skill level Provide course info and expectations Prepare students for online learning Build rapport and community

11. What to include in a distance education orientation: CASAS testing WABERS/Intake forms Computer skills assessment Computer access & equipment info Email account Characteristics of successful online learners Tour of campus computer lab or library computers Course overview and information Log-in and orientation to online curriculum

12. Ways to Deliver an Orientation: Face-2-face Conduct testing as separate process Telephone Postal mail Online Combination of the above