Noel Levitz Priorities Survey for Online Learners (PSOL)

Joan Costello —Chief Academic Officer, Inver Hills Community CollegeDeborah Proctor —eCurriculum Director AcademicInnovations/ Minnesota OnlineTeresa Theisen —Online Consortium System Director DistanceMinnesota

Joan Costello —Chief Academic Officer, Inver Hills Community CollegeDeborah Proctor —eCurriculum Director AcademicInnovations/ Minnesota OnlineTeresa Theisen —Online Consortium System Director DistanceMinnesota

Project Description

Sponsor a Pilot PSOL• The Priorities Survey for Online Learners was

administered during the spring of 2006 by 17 participating Minnesota Online colleges.– 13 two-year institutions– 4 four-year institutions

Pilot Results• 2818 total students completed the survey• Response rates to the survey ranged from

11% to 36% with an average of 21%

Procedure

March 2006: PSOL Data provided to all stakeholders and Web Conference Review

June 2006:  Minnesota Online Summer Conference Affinity Process

August 2006: Noel Levitz PSOL Focus Group Session

September 2006: Opportunities Analysis & Improvement Plan Activities

October 2006: Final Participant Survey to Direct Next Steps

Perspectives & PSOL Experience

Key Assumption Extensive review of data is

important to Minnesota Online and individual institution response

Minnesota Online Priorities

During FY07 Minnesota Online will work with and support the 17 institutions as they respond to their Noel Levitz PSOL Survey Data. The collective information from the procedures in 2006 have been collapsed into the following list of four priorities areas:  1. Minnesota Online Value2. Quality Improvement3. Best practices

4. Seamlessness

Formsite Survey Results

Taking action as a result of the data is key to your success.

• Respond to your students’ priorities and focus resources in the areas that matter most to them. (Bryant, 2006)

Next Steps

• Offer a Minnesota Online sponsored PSOL to institutions who did not participate in 2006.

• Address challenges identified in the PSOL during 2007.

• Promote a system Minnesota Online sponsored PSOL survey in spring 2008

Questions &

Discussion

Matrix for prioritizing actionVery

Important

VerySatisfied

VeryUnimportant

VeryDissatisfied

Copyright 2004 Noel-Levitz

Strengths definition

• Importance score is above the mid-point (top 50% of your items)

AND

• Satisfaction score is in the top quartile (top 25% of your items)

Strengths nationally for online learners 2005

• Student assignments are clearly defined in the syllabus.• Registration for online courses is convenient.• Program requirements are clear and reasonable.• Instructional materials are appropriate for program

content.

• Billing and payment procedures are convenient for me.• Assessment and evaluation procedures are clear and

reasonable.• The bookstore provides timely service to students.

Strengths for Minnesota Online Learners 2006

• The online course delivery platform (Desire2Learn or D2L) is reliable. (Campus item 2)

• Student assignments are clearly defined in the syllabus.• Registration for online courses is convenient.• Instructional materials are appropriate for program

content.• Billing and payment procedures are convenient for me.• My program advisor is accessible by telephone and

email.

Challenges definition

• Importance score is above the mid-point(top 50% of your items)

AND • Satisfaction score is in the bottom quartile

(bottom 25% of your items) OR performance gap score is in the top quartile

(top 25% of your largest gaps)

Challenges nationally for online learners 2005

• The quality of online instruction is excellent.• Faculty are responsive to student needs.• Tuition paid is a worthwhile investment.• Faculty provide timely feedback about student

progress.• There are sufficient offerings within my program of

study.

Challenges for Minnesota Online Learners 2006

• Faculty are responsive to student needs.• The quality of online instruction is excellent.• Faculty provide timely feedback about student

progress.• Tuition paid is a worthwhile investment.• There are sufficient offerings within my program of

study.