Online Learner Satisfaction
What do Students Say?

Option 1 ‐ PSOL

Why PSOL?

Response Rates

PSOL Basics
There are 72 questions that comprise the PSOL.
Average completion time is 15 minutes.
26 Priorities statements (can add 10)
7 Information sources about school/program
11 Factors to enroll in the program
3 Overall satisfaction questions
14 Demographics questions (can add 1)
NOTE: questions are answered on a 7‐point Likert scale, where 7 is high.
5

The Importance of
Importance

Examples of Useful Reports
Student satisfaction breakdown by online
program area
Primarily online vs. Primarily on‐campus
Previous online enrollment
Age breakdown: 24 & under vs. 25 & up
Comparison to MnOnline consortium
Comparison to Peer Group of Schools

2006 Data
A.A. Students are Very Satisfied
6.2
6.0
5.8
5.6
5.4
5.2
5.0
4.8
4.6
Reputation Offerings Library Quality
LSC National A.A. Business Other
8

Primarily Online ‐ LSC Students
6.0
5.8
5.6
5.4
5.2
5.0
4.8
Tuition Responds Technical Fin. Aid
LSC National Online On-Campus
9

4‐year Trend Data
10

4‐year Trend Data
11

Strengths/Challenges
Noel‐Levitz identifies strengths and
challenges based on your data.
I call these “Internal” strengths and
challenges. They might not be a strength
or a challenge when compared to others.

Matrix for Prioritizing Action
Very Important
18
11 32
?
Very
Very
Satisfied
Dissatisfied
? ?
Very Unimportant 13

The Noel‐Levitz
Prioritization Matrix
FY06 Noel-Levitz PSOL -
LSC Primarily Online Students
7.00
Importance
4.00
1.00
1.00 4.00 7.00
Satisfaction 14

Lake Superior Connect
Prioritization Matrix
FY06 Noel-Levitz PSOL -
LSC Primarily Online Students
7.00
Importance
6.00
5.00
5.00 6.00 7.00
Satisfaction
15

Matrix for Prioritizing Action #2
Very Important
29 18
25 6 11 32
20
12 4
10
Somewhat Very
Satisfied Satisfied
1
30
8
Somewhat Important 16

FY04 Survey Comparison Data
7.00
6.50
SSI Import.
6.00
SSI Satisf.
5.50
PSOL Import.
5.00
PSOL Satisf.
4.50
4.00
Reputation of Excellent Timely Faculty
School Quality of Feedback
Instruction
NOTE: SSI is the Noel‐Levitz Survey for on‐ground learners, PSOL is the Noel‐Levitz
17
survey for online learners.

Peer Group Comparison
Better than National data
Better than consortium data
We picked 10‐13 schools with similar
missions and circumstances
Noel‐Levitz ran a special report for us
2006 (13 schools) and 2008 (10 schools)

Largest Differences ‐ Peer Group
FY06 Primarily Online Students - PSOL
7.00
6.50
6.00
5.50
5.00
4.50
4.00
14. Info about 24. Tutoring 18. Convenient 20. Quality of 13. Faculty
financial aid available registration instruction interactions
LSC Peer Group
19

What’s Missing?
Student uses of technology
Computer skills assessment
Student success rates
Comparison between online and on‐
ground students (using same survey)

Students & Technology ‐ 1

Students & Technology ‐ 2

Student Demographics

ITC Survey Creation
Create a Student Technology Survey that:
measures importance of, satisfaction with,
and usage of online college services.
is applicable to both on‐campus and online
students.
measures uses of technology and computer
literacy.
compares survey results with student
success factors.

http://www.lsc.edu/dahl
b.dahl@lsc.edu