Lake Superior College
Online Student Mentors
1
A Few Vital StatsOver 2,000 students take
at least one online course each semester at LSC.
150 sections of online courses were taught during fall semester 2008.
2
A Few Vital Stats24% of our total
enrollment is online.
89% of all available seats are taken.
Approx. 65 faculty members teach at least one online course per year at LSC.
3
4
History
Student Mentor ProgramThe LSC Online
Programs Advisory Committee (OPAC) engaged in discussions related to this concept during the spring semester of 2003.
5
History
Student Mentor ProgramFour faculty members
used student mentors for the first time at LSC during the fall semester 2003.
Each faculty member decided how to best use the mentor for assistance.
6
By the NumbersOnline Student Mentor Program for Lake Superior Connect e-Campus
FY 03-04 FY 04-05 FY 05-06 FY 06-07 FY 07-08
Mentors 13 20 22 19 17
Faculty 11 18 20 17 13
Courses 16 29 36 33 29
Sections 35 54 66 63 52
In total, 270 different online course sections have included mentors during the 5 years.
34 different faculty members have used mentors.
7
Money, Money, MoneyStudent mentors
are paid a $50 base plus $100 per credit for each course mentored.
For example, the pay would be $350 per semester for a 3-credit class.
8
Students are paid as student workers from the Virtual Campus budget. This is one of the things provided through an additional tuition charge for online courses.
9
Money, Money, Money
Why Student Mentors?Student Mentors were seen as a possible solution
to relieving a portion of the sometimes overwhelming crush of electronic communications …. especially those questions not related to course content.
10
Why Student Mentors?As a 2-year school, we don’t have the ability to use
Teaching Assistants or similar employees.Online student mentors are intended to assist
both students and teachers.
11
Our OSM ModelMentor is “tied” to a
particular course.Help with technical aspects
—especially at beginning of course
Answer general questionsSupport the instructorHelp with assignments and
reminders
12
Our OSM ModelThey are NOT:
Subject tutorsCounselorsAdvisorsProofreadersGradersDisciplinarians
13
Models at Other SchoolsSome schools take the “advisor
approach” to peer mentoring.Students are assigned a peer
mentorMentors are not tied to a
particular course but to a particular student
Mentors help more with student services and/or business services functions than with academic course functions.
14
Comparing ModelsOur course-centered approach
was intended to help students complete specific courses in an effort to positively impact course completion rates and persistence.
The advisor approach won’t help the student much if they don’t complete their first round of courses.
15
Selecting Mentors
Faculty members select students (usually “star” students) and invite them to be mentors for the class in future semesters.
16
Selecting Mentors
Students who are familiar with the program will often initiate conversation with the faculty member in an effort to become a mentor.
17
Actual Email #1Hi, I want to say how much I have enjoyed this
class, and how I want to take it over and over again! I am interested in being a student mentor. I don’t know how to be one, or even if you need one next semester. But if you do…I would be interested and honored to be a student mentor for this class. Thanks, Ann
18
Actual Email #2I just want to tell you how much I loved your
class!!! I was not looking forward to a lit class, but your class ended up being my favorite!!! I was just wondering if that student mentor thing is a work/study thing and if I could possibly do it next semester. I qualify for work/study, but I couldn’t do it this past semester since I don’t l ive in Duluth. Danielle
19
Basic QualificationsExperienced online
student—preferably of the same class
Successful (A or B) student
Technologically savvy and confident
Responsible and timelyCurrently enrolled
studentAble to commit 3-5 hours
per week for a three-credit class
20
Mentor Creating Helpful Content
21
22
Mentor Introducing Herself
23
Mentor Being a Cheerleader
Mentor Giving a Helpful Answer
24
Mentor Giving a Good Reminder
25
Success StoriesDevelopment of future
teachers Many have gone into education
without having that career path previously in mind.
Jobs for distance students This was one of the main reasons
for initial implementation.
26
Success StoriesEmployment for students w/
unique circumstancesStudents w/disabilities,
opportunities for housewives, and many other reasons.
Continued learningMentors benefit from additional
review of course materials and from different perspectives brought to the class by other students
27
Noel-Levitz PSOL
Priorities Survey for Online Learners – Spring 2005 Demographics question added: Have you taken an online
class at LSC where there was an “Online Student Mentor”? Yes 42% No 35% Don’t Know = 23%
Item Yes No Diff.
Institution responds quickly to info requests. 5.85 5.43 .42
Appropriate technical assistance available. 5.81 5.42 .39
Quality of online instruction is excellent. 5.93 5.44 .49
So far, has your college experience met your expectations? 5.22 4.87 .35
Rate your overall satisfaction with your experience here thus far. 6.02 5.63 .39
All in all, if you had it to do over, would you enroll here again? 6.05 5.60 .45
28
“Yes” students had higher satisfaction on all 36 items surveyed.
Non-Completion Rates
3,648 students – Spring 2008
Barry Dahl
. .b dahl@lsc edu
30