This presentation on "Practical Tools for Student Engagement and Retention" is by Kari Frisch, an online Communication Instructor for Central Lakes College in Brainerd, MN. She has demonstrated success with a high retention rate (usually around 95%) in her online classes. She was asked to give this presentation for the ITC eLearning Conference in Scottsdale, AZ on February 14, 2016. For more information on attending this conference, visit the Instructional Technology Council website at http://www.itcnetwork.org/elearning-conference/general-information.html. Contact Kari at kfrisch@clcmn.edu for more information about the presentation here or to inquire about having her present at your campus.

1. ITC eLearning Conference
Scottsdale, AZ 2016

2. Kari Frisch
Communication Instructor
Central Lakes College-Brainerd,
MN
kfrisch@clcmn.edu

4. Disclaimer: Slides are TEXT-HEAVY!
 I understand.
 No, not good “practice”.
 Done purposefully with sharing in mind.

8. TABLE FORMAT THAT INCLUDES :
•Assignment Order (number the items down the first column)
•Check-off/Completion Column
•Assignment Title, Directions, Location, Grading Criteria
•Due Date by Specific Day, Date and Time (Wed. February 22, 1:00 pm)
•Total Points Possible
•Learning Objectives (so they know why they’re doing it)
This helps keep the students and the course organized.

9. Examples of Assignment
Schedules:
• Assignment Schedule Example #1 Mass Comm:
• http://tinyurl.com/lbpjl7g
• Assignment Schedule Example #2 Interpersonal:
• http://tinyurl.com/m7r7jlh

10. Keep announcement page minimal—for really important
messages
Weekly Notes under CONTENT
•Top portion: Notes for all Classes
•Bottom portion: Class Specific Notes
This helps overall class communication. Weekly notes help develop a
sense of immediacy, helps tie weeks’ content together, and gets out other
important information. Students know I’m in “real time” with them.

11. Examples of note points:
• Words of encouragement
• Reminders about policies
• Tips on LMS (collapsible content)
• Further explanation of difficult chapter concepts
• “Heads up” about unusual assignments or special
needs for the future
• School notices that we’ve been asked to pass on
(financial aid pickup, college surveys, graduation info,
special events, etc.)
• Assignment clarification/directions/examples

12. Examples of notes:
• Notes Example #1 Interpersonal:
• http://tinyurl.com/nvv68xl
• Notes Example #2 Mass Comm:
• http://tinyurl.com/lshnsnc

13. Notes help connect me to my
students and…
Connecting is engaging,
Engaging is connecting
Connecting at 1 degree

14. ICE BREAKERS
TIME TO CONNECT!

15. One of my favorite icebreakers
became a class standard
…and my tip #3…

16. • Student-created (different engagement
when it is from peer)
• Post one weekly if possible
This helps foster a sense of community.
•*

17. QUESTIONS FOR CLASSMATES
Week 1: I usually start with two, 2-part questions, listed as “Kari’s week 1
questions”, one set per “forum”:
Question Set #1
Part A) Where do you consider yourself from and why?
Part B) What are you going to school to study?
Question Set #2
Part A) How many online classes have you taken before?
Part B) If you have had one or more online classes before, what advice
might you give someone taking an online class for the very first time? If
this is your first online class, what do you think you need to do differently
in order to be successful in this online learning environment?

18. Here are some examples of past questions from students
General questions:
If you could own a non-traditional pet, what would it be?
If you could change any one thing about the way society is today; what would it be and why?
If you could meet any fictional character, who would it be and why?
Dogs or cats? Which do you prefer and why?
What, if anything, would you do differently with your life if you won the lottery today?
If you could be a super hero, what would your special power be?

19. Here are some course specific examples:
Mass Communication
Where do you go to get your news and is the internet helping or hurting news media?
What movie has had the most impact on your life? Explain your answer.
Intercultural Communication
What language would you want to learn to speak fluently and why that one over all others?
Choose one country you’d like to visit and one person (living or dead) from that country that you would
like to be your tour guide and explain why you chose as you did.
If you were visiting the country of your choice, would you rather remain in familiar, "Americanized" resorts
or would you prefer to stay/travel with a local from that country? Why?
Interpersonal Communication
What is the biggest difference between distant learning and in class learning?
How do you feel about talking in front of people you don’t know?
Online Social Networking
What is your favorite Facebook game and how often per day, week, or month do you spend on it?
What effect do you think texting has had on other forms of communication?

20. • Release information only for that upcoming week.
• Include dates in subject line as well as week #
• Use reverse uploading (most current at top)
• Make logical sequence for students
• Use outline format
This helps keep content more ADA-friendly (less scrolling for all of
us). Weekly release keeps them engaged yet not
OVERWHELMED!

21. Example:

22. • WEDNESDAYS (some small work always due each
week, 1/3 or work, ie discussion post and a small
quiz)
• FRIDAYS (the other 2/3 due this day, usually
chapter quizzes and other assignments)
•All is released at 3 pm and work can be completed
any time between release and due date for that
week.
This gets students into course early and helps
prevent total procrastination and spreads out work. •*

23.  I always release the upcoming week’s work (notes,
assignment schedule, and anything with a release
date) at 3 pm on the Friday prior to the start of the
week.
 This allows students the chance to work on homework (or at least
pop in to see what the week will look like) over the weekend.
 To me the weekend is meant for being proactive not
for procrastinating—so I set up class that way
 I can usually count students who are “on-top” of their studies
to be the first ones in and it’s a good check-in for me.
 If there is an issue I can usually have it fixed before the
majority of students have logged in for the week.

24. • Both my Wednesday and Friday deadlines are set for 1 pm not
midnight
• I’m available at that time, computer help desk is available, tutoring
center is open, local lms office is open, state lms help line is running,
etc.
• Assignments are open all week (and weekend prior). Students are
not required to be online at 1 pm, just have their work done by then.
If students have an issue (with content or with their
technology) they have a support “net”work that can
assist.

25. • Courses
• Assignments (think multiple intelligences and learning styles)
• Opportunities (I have some assignment choices: do A or B)
This help keep students engaged and connected to content. Aim for
one degree.
•Due dates/times
• Repeat-type assignments
•Class Policies
•Grading
This gets students into a routine and helps class management.

26. I have students take Learning Style Assessment
and try to hit all learner types. For example…
 Playlists (use for survey, and I frequently have students
create a playlist based on a theme)
 Videos (as supplemental content, as tutorials, quiz
them on videos, search & report on videos and soon
will have them create their own videos)
 Word Scrambles
 Fill in the missing word in this quote
 Interpersonal interview assignments
 Photo Assignments

27. Use Web 2.0 Tools
and
Web 3.0 Tools!
• Let’s explore some of these
• But first…

28. What you are about to hear
may be unusual…but hear
me out.
WARNING! WARNING!!

29. TIERED RANDOMIZATION:
•Question order
•Answer options within the question itself
•Questions selected from question pool
I Do UNTIMED OPEN BOOK QUIZZES:
I’ve found this helps relieve student and instructor stress so
we can focus on active learning.

30. • One point (only on quizzes and surveys)
• Only to first person who properly
reports the error (must include student
name, class, quiz/survey title, question
number, error and what the error should be)
This promotes real accountability and
improves course communication.

32. http://tinyurl.com/l3benzu
Can you be the first?

33. • Student Self Assessments
• Concept Application
• Course Effectiveness
This helps keep students and
instructor connected to the
learning objectives.

34. •Between the student and the content
•Between you and the student
•Between the students themselves
This helps build a stronger sense of
community and helps more holistic growth
of your students (and dare I say you as the
instructor too).
•*

35. Examples Between Student
and Content:
• Have students share personal experiences
• Think about different learning styles
• Give options to meet those styles
• Active learning opportunities beyond tests
• Windows & Mirrors

36. Examples Between You
and Student:
• Use personal experiences
• Share photos and videos
• Be personable in discussion boards
• Use constructive criticism and feedback
Be passionate and don’t be afraid to share!!

37. Examples Between Students:
• Ice Breakers
• Most interesting/Most surprising
• Weekly discussion board questions
• Reflections on peer work
• Surveys – share overall class results

38. • Reaffirm respectful communication
• Use “please” and “thank you”
• Encouraging words
• Be a Role Model: Answer questions first, then
do a “food for thought” or “please re-read this and see if it
could be perceived in a way…”
• Encourage I-messages
Promotes class integrity, respect, and win-win
communication.

40. •Be PRESENT
•Be CREATIVE
•Be ORGANIZED
•Be PASSIONATE
•Be YOURSELF

42. Remember…it’s not just one “thing”
I hope you were able to pick up a few “gems”
you can use or promote on your campus.

43. Thanks and Good Luck!