A Smarter Measure for Developmental Education

Presented by Dr. Lesli Lam Rowell and Krasi Shapkarova October 1, 2010

The Problem
Despite HCC Distance Education (DE) college level retention rates being high (82%), DE Developmental Education (DevEd) course retention rates are lower than face-to-face rates.

No criteria are in place at HCC to determine student readiness for Distance Education.
Students have a history of enrolling in DE courses when they are not prepared.
Factors contributing to misplacement into DE classes :
Myth that DE is easier, self-paced, correspondence-based
Face-to-face (F2F) classes are full
Conflicts with childcare and work schedule
Lack of transportation
The Problem

A Smarter Solution
Objective : To adapt and implement a screening tool (Smarter Measure) to measure online course readiness.
Purpose : To increase DE DevEd retention rates
Cost: free, through Virtual College of Texas (VCT)
Opportunity: To promote student success, improve retention rates

What is Smarter Measure?
SmarterMeasure is a web-based tool which assesses a learner's likelihood for succeeding in an online learning program. SmarterMeasure indicates the degree to which an individual student possesses attributes, skills and knowledge that contribute to success in online learning, including:
http://smartermeasure.com/sample-report 7 Major Components Individual Attributes Learning Styles Technical Competencies Technical Knowledge Onscreen Reading Rate and Recall Typing Speed and Accuracy Life Factors

Smarter Measure Components Implemented into PeopleSoft
Before a student can register for an online DevEd course, the student must take SmarterMeasure and receive passing scores. Scores are inputted into PeopleSoft, similar to other placement scores.
*Used to determine online readiness **For counseling and advisement purposes COMPONENT TESTING ID CUT-OFF SCORE *Overall Technical Competency (computer competency and internet competency) TCOMP 80 or higher *Technical Knowledge (computer vocabulary, ease and accessibility to computers/internet connection) TKNOW 50 or higher *Reading Competency (on-screen reading rate and recall) READ 65 or higher *Typing Score (the formula used is to divide the number of words by the number of seconds and subtract the number of errors) TYPE 25 or higher **Personal Attributes (traits, habits, and attitudes) ATTRB n/a **Learning Styles (visual, verbal, social, physical, solitary, logical, aural) LEARN n/a **Life Factors (circumstances that affect performance) LIFE n/a

Timeline

1. Student signs in to PeopleSoft Student System.

2. Click the My Academics link.

3. Click the Begin My Assessment link.

4. Click the Click Here to Start the SmearterMeasure Assessment link.

5. Student will be automatically signed in to begin the Assessment.

Counselors and other staff members will have access to SmarterMeasure test ID and student test scores on administration pages: Test Results, HCC Test Summary and Academic Test Summary

Your Role as Advisor/Counselor
Familiarize yourself with SmarterMeasure
Take SmarterMeasure!
Explain and offer options to students who did not achieve passing scores why they are not able to take a DE DevED course: (ENGL 0310; MATH 0306, 0308, 0312; GUST 1270)
Encourage students to take a face-to-face DevEd
Advise retake after 30 days have passed
Direct students to use the score report that contains educational information to help improve their online readiness.

Questions: Refer students to AskDECounseling online help form found on our website: de.hccs.edu
http://de-counseling.hccs.edu/StudentSignIn/
Or 713.718.5275 option #4

A Smarter Measure for Developmental Education

by Houston Community College Distance Education on Sep 30, 2010

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