Through a weekly online lecture series, a required synchronous learning session was added to online Medical Terminology courses at Rasmussen. Faculty noticed an increase in student success through improvements in course averages and higher retention. The presentation will focus on student feedback, methods used to create this learning opportunity, strategies for implementation, and plans for expansion.

1. Improving Online Student
Engagement through Synchronous
Learning Sessions Using a College-
wide Lecture Series Approach
Heather Zink / Hybrid Classroom Manager
Rasmussen College

2. Contact Information
Heather Zink
Hybrid Classroom Manager
Rasmussen College
heather.zink@rasmussen.edu (email)
twitter.com/zinkpath (twitter)
facebook.com/heatherzink.at.rasonline (facebook)
download slides: slideshare.net/heatherzink
4/30/2012

3. GOALS OF THE SESSION
• Develop an understanding of blended
learning opportunities for online students
• Discuss strategies for implementing system-
wide initiatives in academics
• Discuss key components to engaging students
in online synchronous learning sessions
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4. Hybrid Delivery at Rasmussen
Flex 50
Campus &
Virtual Live Virtual Flat
Lectures Instructor
Hybrid
Learning
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5. College-Wide Initiatives
Campuses in six states and National Online
Schools of Health Sciences, Education, Justice Studies, Business, Tech & Design, Nursing
Accelerated Bachelor Programs
Certificates, Diplomas, Associates, Bachelors degrees
Strong focus on career placement and enhancement
Market based.
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6. Support System
First….
• Senior Leadership
• Academic Management
• School Director
• CMS Administration & Technical Support
Then…..
• Campus Leadership
• Student Support
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7. Where we started…virtual live lectures
• High failure, low retention course
– Pilot project: 8 sections of Medical Terminology
• 3 faculty members deliver 9 synchronous sessions
– Same content in each session
– 7 days/week, varying times throughout the day
• Students receive discussion points by attending session
*
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8. Weekly Schedule of Review Session
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
11am 8am 7am
Morning
Zink Zink Moore
4pm 1pm
Afternoon
Moore Zink
8pm 7pm 830pm 6pm
Evening
Evans Evans Evans Moore
Session content included:
• Core elements of each body system
• Pronunciation Practice
• at least 1 YouTube video
• at least 5 polling questions for student interaction
--Highest attended sessions in red above
*
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9. Student Feedback
• 60 students responded to SurveyMonkey
• 90% - sessions accommodated my schedule
• 90% - would like to attend in future classes
• 93% - sessions met my expectations
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10. Student Comments
• I enjoyed being able to interact with the instructor which is something you
can't normally do with online classes. NOTE: Interaction was a big theme.
– Live interaction with the instructors. If I had questions, they could answer on the spot
instead of using email.
– I think that these review sessions keep you more connected to the class and other
students than the discussion posts. In addition I think the live review sessions are one of
the reasons I liked this class so much!
• The instructor would go over our assignment that was due at the end of the
week. I really like that because when I didn't understand how to do
something, it was like you had the teacher in class.
• I was able to get more information than from just reading my book.
• They are in depth, a good replacement for having to go to a classroom. Very
convenient, everything is covered well in the allotted time.
April 30, 2012 Copyright Rasmussen, Inc. 2011. Proprietary and Confidential. 10

11. Suggestions for improvement from Pilot Project
• Most were technical in nature
– Wimba issues – resolved through PSC
– YouTube videos not playing – Pop-up blockers
• Few thought the information was the same as the
text and they didn’t need the sessions
• 60% of students had nothing negative to comment
on -- review sessions were very helpful for them!
April 30, 2012 Copyright Rasmussen, Inc. 2011. Proprietary and Confidential. 11

12. Winter 2012 Project -- expansion
• Required synchronous sessions in all sections of M120
• 5 points for attendance, 5% of overall course grade
• Live Lecture Team – 5 faculty to deliver 5 sessions/wk
– 25 sessions each week for students
Winter 2012 results are in….
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13. The data is in…
• Average of 55% of students every week!!! ---up from 50% in
the pilot group of 8 sections---
• 85% pass rate !!!
74% 82% 84% 85%
Spring 11 Summer 11 Fall 11 Pilot Winter 12
• Past Pass Rates – Pilot Instructor Group ---Sum11 to Win12---
– Heather Zink 78% to 84.5% to 91.5%
– D. Evans 85% to 82.9% to 96%
– N. Moore 80% to 86% to 80.5%
April 30, 2012 Copyright Rasmussen, Inc. 2011. Proprietary and Confidential. 13

14. Average Session Attendance
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
Morning 9am 8am 9am 9am 7am
---4--- ---3--- ---9--- ---10--- ---21---
11am 11am 11am 11am 11am
---8--- ---9--- ---11--- ---19--- ---37---
Afternoon 2pm 12pm 2pm 1pm
---6--- ---17--- ---12--- ---12---
4pm 3pm
---7--- ---16---
Evening 7pm 7pm 6pm 7pm 5pm
---22--- ---10--- ---10--- ---22--- ---11---
9pm 8pm 9pm 7pm
---8--- ---18--- ---18--- ---21---
April 30, 2012 Copyright Rasmussen, Inc. 2011. Proprietary and Confidential. 14

15. Winter EOQ Attendance Stats
Of 567 students finishing the course…
• 84% attended at least 1 session
• 61% attended over half of the sessions
Sessions attended Average score
0-4 74%
5-8 88%
all 94%
• 84% average score
• 82% retention ---567/631---
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16. Embedded Librarian Partnership
• Professional Practice Activity – student
success is highly variable
• Library and Learning Center staff attended
sessions to discussed assignment specific
resources
68% to 84%
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17. Student Feedback – Winter 2012
• I was a little on the fence when I first heard about the weekly sessions but after attending I
found it to be a very interactive and beneficial. I especially enjoyed being able to meet up
with my course instructor. Look forward to seeing you Friday!
• I really enjoy attending these review sessions. I wish all my courses would have one!
• I didn't think I would like these sessions at all, but I do enjoy them a lot!! They have really
helped me to understand each item in the chapter!!
• I have to admit the first time I logged into class, and I saw that we had to attend live
review sessions, I was totally bummed. But, after the open house, and seeing how much it
helped me, I now wish all of my classes offered this. One reason I wanted to do online
classes was I don't like being in a classroom setting. I was homeschooled thru high school
and it is just a personal preference, I supposed shyness has a lot to do with it. But I do like
being able to get together online with the lecture. I really do learn a little more and it
helps to explain a few things. Thank you !!!
April 30, 2012 Copyright Rasmussen, Inc. 2011. Proprietary and Confidential. 17

18. Student Engagement
• Formal lesson plan
• Each session should include at least:
– Ice breaker question/activity
– 5 course polls/quick quizzes
– 1 video/animation – another voice than the
instructor
– Interaction every 5 minutes
– Webcam use & picture uploaded
April 30, 2012 Copyright Rasmussen, Inc. 2011. Proprietary and Confidential. 18

19. D132 Pilot ---Computer Applications---
Grade Distribution Attendance Score
A 47% All sessions 94%
B 21% 7-8 sessions 89%
C 10% 5-6 session 80%
D 9% 0-4 sessions 63%
F 13%
Overall Course
Average 81%
April 30, 2012 Copyright Rasmussen, Inc. 2011. Proprietary and Confidential. 19

20. Technology Challenges
• Synchronous tools can be temperamental
– Great interaction tools, but performance is sometimes
based on individual computers
– Connection is a true determinant of how the student can
participate
PSC = excellent resource!
• Most students do not have headsets
– Send with course materials?
April 30, 2012 Copyright Rasmussen, Inc. 2011. Proprietary and Confidential. 20

21. Spring 2012 Projects
Pilot Group ---10 sections---
B136 Intro to Business
G233 College Algebra
Full Course Rollout
M120 Medical Terminology
D132 Computer Applications
B080 Reading & Writing Strategies
B099 Foundations of Math
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22. How do I do this & what do I need?
Project Manager to handle logistics
#1: Strong lead faculty
• Start small – pilot with 10 sections or less
• High impact course
• Support from senior management
• COMMUNICATION IS KEY!
April 30, 2012 Copyright Rasmussen, Inc. 2011. Proprietary and Confidential. 22

23. Who does what?
• Create lessons
• Tracking
attendance and
grades
• Key resource for
Course faculty
Lead
• Communicate
info to students Live
• Connect with
absent students Lecturer • Deliver
• Attend sessions lectures
Course • Collaborate on
creation of
Faculty lectures
• Connect with
course lead
April 30, 2012 Copyright Rasmussen, Inc. 2011. Proprietary and Confidential. 23

24. We are enhancing the learning
experience & building
community for our students!
…and BONUS – increasing student pass rates & retention!
April 30, 2012 Copyright Rasmussen, Inc. 2011. Proprietary and Confidential.
24

25. Contact Information
Heather Zink
Hybrid Classroom Manager
Rasmussen College
heather.zink@rasmussen.edu (email)
twitter.com/zinkpath (twitter)
facebook.com/heatherzink.at.rasonline (facebook)
download slides: slideshare.net/heatherzink
4/30/2012