1. Noel Levitz Priorities Survey for Online Learners (PSOL) Joan Costello —Chief Academic Officer, Inver Hills Community College Deborah Proctor —eCurriculum Director Academic Innovations/ Minnesota Online Teresa Theisen —Online Consortium System Director Distance Minnesota

2. Project Description Sponsor a Pilot PSOL The Priorities Survey for Online Learners was administered during the spring of 2006 by 17 participating Minnesota Online colleges. –13 two-year institutions –4 four-year institutions Pilot Results 2818 total students completed the survey Response rates to the survey ranged from 11% to 36% with an average of 21%

3. Procedure March 2006: PSOL Data provided to all stakeholders and Web Conference Review June 2006: Minnesota Online Summer Conference Affinity Process August 2006: Noel Levitz PSOL Focus Group Session September 2006: Opportunities Analysis & Improvement Plan Activities October 2006: Final Participant Survey to Direct Next Steps

4. Perspectives & PSOL Experience

5. Key Assumption Extensive review of data is important to Minnesota Online and individual institution response

6. Minnesota Online Priorities During FY07 Minnesota Online will work with and support the 17 institutions as they respond to their Noel Levitz PSOL Survey Data. The collective information from the procedures in 2006 have been collapsed into the following list of four priorities areas: 1. Minnesota Online Value 2. Quality Improvement 3. Best practices 4. Seamlessness

7. Formsite Survey Results

8. Taking action as a result of the data is key to your success. Respond to your students’ priorities and focus resources in the areas that matter most to them. (Bryant, 2006)

9. Next Steps Offer a Minnesota Online sponsored PSOL to institutions who did not participate in 2006. Address challenges identified in the PSOL during 2007. Promote a system Minnesota Online sponsored PSOL survey in spring 2008

10. Questions & Discussion

11. Matrix for prioritizing action Very Important Very Satisfied Very Unimportant Very Dissatisfied Copyright 2004 Noel-Levitz

12. Strengths definition Importance score is above the mid-point (top 50% of your items) AND Satisfaction score is in the top quartile (top 25% of your items)

13. Strengths nationally for online learners 2005 Student assignments are clearly defined in the syllabus. Registration for online courses is convenient. Program requirements are clear and reasonable. Instructional materials are appropriate for program content. Billing and payment procedures are convenient for me. Assessment and evaluation procedures are clear and reasonable. The bookstore provides timely service to students.

14. Strengths for Minnesota Online Learners 2006 The online course delivery platform (Desire2Learn or D2L) is reliable. (Campus item 2) Student assignments are clearly defined in the syllabus. Registration for online courses is convenient. Instructional materials are appropriate for program content. Billing and payment procedures are convenient for me. My program advisor is accessible by telephone and email.

15. Challenges definition Importance score is above the mid-point (top 50% of your items) AND Satisfaction score is in the bottom quartile (bottom 25% of your items) OR performance gap score is in the top quartile (top 25% of your largest gaps)

16. Challenges nationally for online learners 2005 The quality of online instruction is excellent. Faculty are responsive to student needs. Tuition paid is a worthwhile investment. Faculty provide timely feedback about student progress. There are sufficient offerings within my program of study.

17. Challenges for Minnesota Online Learners 2006 Faculty are responsive to student needs. The quality of online instruction is excellent. Faculty provide timely feedback about student progress. Tuition paid is a worthwhile investment. There are sufficient offerings within my program of study.