Communicating with Off-campus Students Elizabeth Castro May 17, 2005

University of St Thomas School Of Education Off-campus “cohort” Programs Offered in locations convenient to practicing professionals and local school districts. 12 to 16 graduate programs each year for cohorts of 30 students. Degree programs are generally 2 to 2 1/2 years in duration. Offered in locations convenient to practicing professionals and local school districts. 12 to 16 graduate programs each year for cohorts of 30 students. Degree programs are generally 2 to 2 1/2 years in duration.

Cohort Definition A “Cohort” is a group of students who enroll at the same time and go through a program by taking the same courses at the same time.

Research Question Are the communication methods of the School of Education meeting the information needs of the information needs of off-campus students?

Objectives To understand off-campus students information needs. To know what they are currently receiving from the School of Education. To learn about their preferred method of communication. To understand off-campus students information needs. To know what they are currently receiving from the School of Education. To learn about their preferred method of communication.

Methodology Mail survey with 16 questions Sent to all 468 current off-campus students 147 students (31.4%) responded Mail survey with 16 questions Sent to all 468 current off-campus students 147 students (31.4%) responded

How knowledgeable are you about...?

How important are the following to your success in class?

What kind of information would you like to receive? (Check all that apply)

How do you receive information? (Check all that apply)

How would you want to receive information? (1 to 5; 5 most preferred)

Yes Are the communication methods of the School of Education meeting the information needs of the information needs of off-campus students?

Conclusions Needs Met: Need: Library access online Students knowledgeable about online services Need: Interaction with cohort School of Education provides online cohort community tool Prefer: and postal mail. School of Education regularly use and postal mail Needs Met: Need: Library access online Students knowledgeable about online services Need: Interaction with cohort School of Education provides online cohort community tool Prefer: and postal mail. School of Education regularly use and postal mail

Conclusions Needs Unmet: More information about their specific program More communication with advisors More information about workshops and seminars More information about policies and financial aid Needs Unmet: More information about their specific program More communication with advisors More information about workshops and seminars More information about policies and financial aid

Recommendations Delivery methods: Continue use of and postal mail Increase communication with advisors Increase use of Blackboard Increase use of cohort community board Delivery methods: Continue use of and postal mail Increase communication with advisors Increase use of Blackboard Increase use of cohort community board Information needs: Increase amount of information about: Specific programs Policies and Financial Aid Workshops and Seminars Information needs: Increase amount of information about: Specific programs Policies and Financial Aid Workshops and Seminars

Questions?