Online Learning Resource Center

by Sloan-C

Author Information

Author(s):

Karen Vignare, Rochester Institute of Technology

Institution(s) or Organization(s) Where EP Occured:

Rochester Institute of Technology

Effective Practice Abstract/Summary

Abstract/Summary of Effective Practice:

Each Rochester Institute of Technology's online course has a customized page to help students to be more prepared.

Description of the Effective Practice

Description of the Effective Practice:

How this practice supports student satisfaction:
RIT Online's Online Learning Resource Center web page provides contacts and information on the following topics:

The Server Status link opens a pop-up window displaying the status of RIT Online's servers and lets students know when the servers might be down.
Announcements is an archive of important news and other announcements provided to online students throughout the quarter.
The Technical Support link opens an online form to report technical support problems and needs.
The Drop/Add/Withdraw link provides policies and procedures for dropping or adding an online course.
The Exam Procedures link provides exam proctoring policies and procedures.
Wallace Library link provides information on how to access library services available to online learning students.
DCE Account links to "everything you need to know" about an RIT Distributed Computing Account, including basic account, activation, conduct code, and key features.
Courseware Information links to complete information on using course management systems used at RIT (FirstClass, Prometheus).
Graduation Information provides information on how to participate in Commencement ceremonies.
Disability Services provides information on services provided by RIT's Disability Service Office, including videotape captioning and various transcription services.
MeetingPlace Information provides information about using the audio conferencing system used in some of RIT Online's courses.
The Institute Calendar link accesses a table of important dates on RIT yearly calendar such as start dates, holidays, etc.
SIS links to information about using RIT's student information system to register for courses, check grades or advising reports, and a variety of other SIS-related services.
Campus Contact Information.
RIT's Distance Learner links to a newsletter for online learning students by online learning students.
Campus Contact Information provides contact information for Online Learning staff and academic program advisors.

Supporting Information for this Effective Practice

Evidence of Effectiveness:

RIT has a low withdrawal rate for courses and programs. For more than five years, the course withdrawal rate has been less than five percent. The first year attrition rate for distance students is just over 10%. RIT keeps nearly 90% of all distance students through year one and into year two. The right mix of student services certainly helps us achieve this kind of success. We regularly survey first-time distance students to make sure they get a good start, and they regularly say that the web pages helped them get a good start.

How this practice improves pillar(s):

Equipment necessary to implement Effective Practice:

Estimate the probable costs associated with this practice:

The costs are very low to implement. It does require staff and web development time and maintenance.

Relation to other Pillars:

Access and Learning Effectiveness: Information is available to all. Good student services lead to learning effectiveness

References, supporting documents:

Chickering, A., and Ehrmann, S.C. Implementing the Seven Principles: Technology as Lever. AAHE Bulletin, October, 1996, pp. 3-6.

Vignare, K. Longitudinal Success Measures For Online Learning Students At The Rochester Institute Of Technology. In: Bourne, J., and Moore, J.C. Elements of Quality in Online Education: Practice and Direction, Vol 4 in the Sloan-C Series, Sloan-C, Needham, MA, 2002.

Useful Links:

RIT Online Learning

Online Learning Resource Center page

Other Comments:

Contact for this Effective Practice

Effective Practice Contact:

Karen Vignare, Senior Research Analyst, Online Learning Services, Rochester Institute of Technology, 91 Lomb Memorial Dr., Rochester, NY 14623-5603

Email this contact:

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