1. Three Approaches to Distance Learning Support Services New River Community College College of Health Sciences Virginia Tech Copyright Bridget Moore and Mark Raby 2002. This work is the intellectual property of the author. Permission is granted for this material to be shared for non-commercial, educational purposes, provided that this copyright appears on the reproduced materials and notice is given that the copying is by permission of the author. To disseminate otherwise or to republish requires written permission from the author.

2. New River Community College For information: –http://idl.nr.vccs.edu/de/ –Kathy Kleppin (nrklepk@nr.vccs.edu)

3. College of Health Sciences Located in Roanoke, Virginia Small, private, single-purpose institution Allied health and nursing Baccalaureate, associate and certificates Approximately 650 FTEs

4. Distance Learning at CHS Distance learning program established 1999 Primary delivery system--online utilizing Blackboard To date over 2600 enrollments Offer over 30 different courses 1.5 FTE staff for DL program

5. Faculty Faculty expert practitioners in field Clinical orientation Limited technology & design experience Prior to 1999 limited support services Very open to new ideas

6. Faculty Support Services First courses –Program specific –High faculty interest –Some technology experience Developed five year plan emphasis on faculty support

7. Faculty Support Services Overviews of Distance Learning –Captive audience In-services Department meetings –Success to date –Not about technology

8. Intensive Training Winter Workshop –End of Fall Semester Spring Seminar –Between Spring/Summer Semesters

9. Intensive Training 2 1/2 days Hands-on –Mornings - presentation of materials –Afternoons- application Begin course development Outside experts & faculty experts Limited enrollment

10. Monthly Training Sessions First Fridays –One hour sessions on specific topics –Distance learning focus Fourth Fridays for Faculty –Expanded to include other topics –Sponsored by Faculty Senate

11. Other Support Training conducted using Blackboard –Faculty as students –Model courses Faculty Development Area –Variety of technology –Staff assistance available

12. Other Support Faculty experts Distance learning staff as teaching assistant Distance Learning Faculty Guide –Print and Online e-Educator Newsletter

13. Other Support Staff support located in same area as faculty Semester DL Faculty Meetings Annual Excellence in e-Teaching Award Workload compensation first time taught Additional compensation for high enrollment

14. Faculty Involvement Spring 1999 –One course/One faculty Fall 2002 –22 courses/17 faculty 60% of full-time faculty involved 15 different adjunct faculty

15. CHS Students Accustom to classroom/clinical based education Heavy class load Work full or part-time Approximately 15% live on campus

16. CHS Distance Learning Students Majority work Have family responsibilities Most live within one hour drive of college Take on-campus and distance learning courses

17. Student Support Services Orientation Sessions –Face-to-face –Technical information –Course information --met faculty –Hands-on time

18. Student Support Services DL Help Desk –Phone support 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. –Email support --24 hour turnaround –Link to help desk within each course

19. Student Support Services Blackboard Online Help Links within Blackboard to other support –Counseling –Financial Aid –LRC

20. Student Support Services Learning Resource Center –Web page –Online catalog –Online access to resources –Access to health system resources –Library Rep. for distance learning –Computer Lab

21. Student Support Services Educational Technology Center (ETC) –Open 24/7 –Staffed during specific hours –Variety of software/hardware –Testing Center

22. Student Support Services College Email Address Student Guide to Distance Learning –Print and online e-Learner Newsletter Student Seminars Feedback opportunities -- act on

23. Student Response Evaluation Results –95% agreed they were satisfied with the experience of taking course –95% agreed the would take another distance learning course

24. Student Response Student technology expertise increasing Biggest concern –Schedule flexibility –More courses online