Retention for Online Learners
Jan 19, 2016
Retention for Online Learners
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Industry Research
Identifying Students at Risk
Making an Impact
Agenda:
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Presented by:Joe Bird, Regional Vice President
20+ years of professional experience in the higher education industry
ESM - Provides student lifecycle solutions to help institutions enroll, graduate and place more students
Previous Experience» Statewide Career and College Planning Systems» Education Finance» Financial Aid Administration
Master’s Degree in Higher Education Administration from Iowa State University
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Student retention is anything but a new phenomenon » Vincent Tinto’s 1975 “persistence” research» Quigley 1992 adult learner retention
Anecdotal Evidence (the Joe Bird school of history) » Education conferences in the late 1980’s» Cross functional campus committees
Retention for online learners – 2005
Background
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Tinto (1975) is widely attributed with the first robust persistence model. His findings:
» Student personal characteristics and dispositions shape educational goals and commitments
» As students engage the institution, their goals are either strengthened or weakened
» Positive encounters strengthen resolve; negative encounters weaken commitment, creating conditions for early withdrawal
Vincent Tinto’s Model
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Surveyed 5,000 postsecondary institutions
Recent Study by Engaged Minds
Defined retention goals
One person assigned Cabinet measures results
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
50%
50%
35%
26%
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Engaged Minds Study
Connecting students with re-sources
48%Better
means to identify
26%
More/better resources
26%
General retention research findings:
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There is a body of extensive research However, retention rates across all institutions continue
to measure in the 70% - 80% range, year over year There are success stories
» Most are found in traditional, campus based programs» Many are a combination of:
Proactive student engagement programming Early warning systems via personal interaction High touch mentoring Reactive intervention
Sustainability is often an ongoing challenge Online programs provided additional complications
So Therefore???????
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Retention for Online Learners
Attitudinal – from surveys/assessments and staff interaction» Career goals» Why in school» Beliefs about success
Behavioral – from LMS and SIS technology platforms» Grades» Attendance» No Registration
Situational – from student interactions » Personal Issues» Financial Issues» Family Issues
Harnessing the Existing Research
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Student Retention Model
► Personal Issues► Financial Issues► Family Issues
Interactions
Surveys &Interviews
System Information
► Career Goals► Why in School► Beliefs about
Success
► Grades► Attendance► No Registration
At Risk!
Identify students at risk and issues that create risk
Connect students with people who can help
Student ServicesAcademic Advisement
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Resources to identify risk» Surveys to Determine Risk Categories» Predictive Models» Admission Representative Evaluation
Classification & Contact Strategy» Low Risk – Initial and Monthly» Moderate Risk – Initial and Bi-weekly » High Risk – Initial and Weekly» All Categories – Before Each New Term
Reactive Triggers» Define» Identify Sources - Manual, LMS, SIS» Establish Process for Import
Leverage Your Online Learning Assets
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Plug in the personal touch - Engage!» Talk» Text» Chat» Utilize social media» Email – only if you must
Connect students with resources empowered to solve issues – maximizing resource productivity Student Services Academic Advising Help Desk Etc.
It Is Now Time - Let Them Know You Care!
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Simple Test » Only two triggers: attendance and grades» Not real-time» 4,000 online students
Process Contact (phone) and engage students Connect/transfer students to institution’s resources
Results Increased retention rate by 2.4% versus control group 338% ROI Improved grades – 60% of students contacted improved their grades during the
term versus 20% in the control group
Sample Pilot Study
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Retention for online learners presents additional challenges
However, it also provides additional opportunities Leverage your online assets – use data triggers Understand your student population and determine
where you can have the most impact Keep your scarce resources as productive as possible
» Consider internal solutions – using student help to initiate contact» Consider outsourcing
A Few Closing Thoughts
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Joe Bird, Regional Vice President
720.872.3783
Contact Info: