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

jbird@esm-sls.com

720.872.3783

Contact Info: