A SMARTER MEASUREFOR DISTANCE LEARNING IN

DEVELOPMENTAL EDUCATION

Presented by: Dr. Lesli Rowell

LEI PROJECT PROPOSAL

Remember when…

…we used these devices?

Welcome to the 21st Century!

MATH 0306 MATH 0308 MATH 0312 ENGL 0310 GUST 12700

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

60

54

3942.4

60.264

5652

65.7

72.3

Developmental Education and GUST 1270 Comparative Fall ‘09 % Completion Rates

Distance Education

Face-to-Face

C o

r B

ette

r C

om

ple

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n R

ate

Despite HCC Distance Education (DE) college level retention rates being high (82%), DE Developmental Education (DevEd) course retention rates are lower than face-to-face rates.

Developmental Education (DevEd) refers to a program of courses designed to remediate students who are deemed to be under-prepared for college-level coursework in the subject of mathematics, reading, and English. Using standardized placement exams for each of these subject areas, colleges assess the readiness of entering students to do college-level coursework, and use cut-off scores and/or other criteria to determine whether students require remediation prior to enrolling in certain college-level courses.

The Problem

No criteria is in place at HCC to determine student’s readiness for Distance Education.

Students have a history of self-selecting into DE courses when they are not ready.

• Due to the myth that DE is easier

• Because F2F classes are full

• Lessens the burdens of childcare, work schedules

The Problem

A Look at Poorly Matched Vehicles

Sticking with the traditional way…

Self - Selection

Objective: Establish a screening tool (Smarter Measure) to be used to measure online course readiness

Purpose: To increase DE DevEd retention rates Cost: free, through VCT, instrument is already in use

Opportunity: To promote student success, improve retention rates

A Smarter Measure for Student Success

Place students into a

vehicle that will transport

them to student success

Category Failed Questionable Passed

Overall Technical Competency (computer competency and internet competency)

Below 80 80-90 90+

Technical Knowledge (computer vocabulary, ease and accessibility to computers/internet connection)

Below 50 50-75 75+

Reading Competency Below 65 65-85 85+

Typing Score (the formula used is to divide the number of words by the number of seconds and subtract the number of errors)

Below 25 26-37 38+

Smarter Measure Constructs to be Implemented into PeopleSoft

4 constructs that are measurable, 5th (Individual Attributes) is purely self-reported.

Before a student can register for an online DevEd course, the student must have taken SmarterMeasure, and received passing scores. These scores are integrated into PeopleSoft, just like other placement scores.

Roles: Development, Implementation, Research, Training

1. Development:• Determine 4 constructs and establish their respective cut-off scores• Develop and design Smarter Measure tool with eLearning Toolbox and HCC IT to

identify users and to integrate into PeopleSoft

2. Implementation and Training• Enlist collaboration of GUST 1270, DevEd, and all district-wide faculty of new

prerequisite changes• Promote and train district-wide student services staff of new prerequisites

3. Research and Refine• Investigate and analyze effectiveness of screening tool implementation• Explore scholarship opportunities dedicated to developmental education students • Examine impact and applications to unique applications (what special situations do

International students encounter that local students may or may not?)

Timeline

Your Role in The Opportunity

How Critical is This Project to HCC’s Mission and Vision Student Success?

• What is HCC’s biggest ROI? Students.

• Relevant – Meet the demands for quality DE and DevEd programs

• By effectively screening for DE readiness, we are providing the best learning environment that meets their needs.

• Opportunity – Direct retention improvement • Students move out of the at-risk category and closer to full-student success.

If students are properly matched to a conducive learning environment early on, it sets the foundation for continued success.

• Essential to the community – Student success is critical• When students succeed in one course, it primes them to continue on at HCC

or graduate into the workforce community.

DE is a highly successful component of HCC, in this global market, we can not afford to continue to ignore this problem.

Student Success + Higher Retention Rates = More Revenue