© 2012 CAPELLA UNIVERSITY © 2012 CAPELLA UNIVERSITY
TWENTY YEARS OF ENHANCINGONLINE STUDENT SUCCESS
Amy Buechler-Steubing & Siri SorensenCapella University – Learning Assistance Center
College Reading and Learning Association Annual ConferenceBoston, MA
November 2013
© 2012 CAPELLA UNIVERSITY
2CAPELLA AT A GLANCE
• Physically located in Downtown Minneapolis
• Located online at www.capella.edu
• 34,503 Learners and 39,371 Alumni in all 50 states and 61 countries (as of September 30, 2013)
• Doctorate (30%), Master’s (42%), Bachelor’s (25%), and Certificate (3%)
• Average age is 40 (range of 19 to 89!)
• 74% female, 26% male
• 95% part-time, 5% full-time
• 54% of color, 46% white, non-Hispanic
• 14% affiliated with the military
• Accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA)
© 2012 CAPELLA UNIVERSITY
3LEARNING ASSISTANCE CENTER
Staffing model:
• 3 full-time staff• 23 part-time
student staff (Tutors/SI Leaders)
• Utilize online tutoring vendor (Smarthinking)
© 2012 CAPELLA UNIVERSITY
4AGENDA
1. Reflect: What has changed at our institution?
2. Celebrate achievements: Share your observations.
3. Consider new opportunities: Create a road map.
4. New ideas: What does the future hold?
© 2012 CAPELLA UNIVERSITY
5LOOKING BACK…20 YEARS
Campus services and website
Tutoring services
Supplemental Instruction program
Creating instructional materials focused on working adults
Incorporate media and interactive elements into orientation and courses across programs
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6Website evolution 2006-2013
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7HOW HAS YOUR PROGRAM EVOLVED?
What improvements or changes have you made to your program in the last 20 years?
Were these changes initiated by you or external factors?
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8How did we get to where we are today?
Asking questionsBuilding relationships
Creativity with resourcesNot being afraid to try something new
© 2012 CAPELLA UNIVERSITY
9
Advisors and Enrollment Counselors
Course development
Web/media design
Writing Program
University Orientation Seminar
Academic Affairs (Library, Teaching & Learning, Dissertation Support, Disability Services, Military Support)
School Leadership
Faculty
EFFECTIVE PARTNERSHIPS
© 2012 CAPELLA UNIVERSITY
10
Course developmentOpportunity to scaffold in learning assistance resources/support Establish effective course design best practices for integrating tutoring servicesDevelop models for providing synchronous writing support connected to specific courses
Learning Resources Steering Committee (LRSC)
Offers a scalable approach to increase staff and student awareness of resources, provide academic success resource training, and capture resource feedback which informs future resource development and improvements.Team of over 20 resource ambassadors extend learning resource training and information to over 250 staff on a regular basis
EFFECTIVE PARTNERSHIPS
© 2012 CAPELLA UNIVERSITY
11ADVANCING STUDENT SUPPORT
Scaffolding support into coursesTutoring and writing supportAction plans for skill development
Online campus and web presence – one of the key places we interact with students
Offering synchronous support – supplemental instruction program for online courses
Expanded “Learning Assistance Center office hours” not just 8-5
© 2012 CAPELLA UNIVERSITY
12Our website today
© 2012 CAPELLA UNIVERSITY
13CHALLENGE THE STATUS QUO
Learning Assistance Curriculum framework
Learner success competenciesDesign principles and processesAssessment, resource, and interventions aligned across the student lifecycle
Interactive modules – provides personalized results and a guided experience
Evaluation of online content and curriculum – quality checks
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14Interactive module examples
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15MAXIMIZE RESOURCES
Use campus Web site (iGuide) to deliver and promote support services and self-paced resources
Partner with Faculty Development to create self-paced training for instructors
Establish and implement design principles and processes to ensure development of high-quality resources
© 2012 CAPELLA UNIVERSITY
16MAXIMIZE RESOURCES
Provide over 600 pages of competency-based self-paced instruction and multimedia for students, staff, and faculty
Offer competency-based learning assistance resources covering topics such as time management, reading strategies, critical thinking skills, research strategies, and statistics
© 2012 CAPELLA UNIVERSITY
17DEVELOPING A ROAD MAP
© 2012 CAPELLA UNIVERSITY
18WHAT’S ON OUR ROAD MAP?
Advancing competency-based learning assistance model
Flex PathSupporting learners in our self-paced program option
Writing support enhancementsSynchronous writing labsOnline writing resources
Tutoring support designed into courses
Partnership with Career Center and Library
• 21st Century/Employability skills
© 2012 CAPELLA UNIVERSITY
19
DialogueThanks for attending!
© 2012 CAPELLA UNIVERSITY
20CONTACT INFORMATION
Amy Buechler-Steubing
1-888-227-3552, x5640.
Siri Sorensen
1-888-227-3552, x5761