This document summarizes enrollment data and student surveys related to Lake Superior College's 2-by-8 online course format, which allows students to complete an Associate in Arts degree in two years by taking two courses in 8-week sessions throughout the year. Enrollment in 2-by-8 courses has increased each term. Surveys of students found that most were aware of the 8-week format and found the workload as expected or more than expected, with the majority choosing the format to meet their needs or preferred learning style. Completion rates and GPAs in the 8-week courses have been comparable to or better than other online and full-term courses.

1. 2-by-8 Online Courses
Associate in Arts
Degree
Lake Superior College

2. Basics of 2-by-8
• There are five 8-week sessions throughout the
school year (including summer).
• A student completing two courses at a time, 8
weeks at a time, can complete the A.A. degree
in 2 years.
• Started in Fall 2009.
2-by-8
Ad

3. Summary of Enrollments
Term
# of
Sections
Enrolled
Max
Avail.
Fill Rate
Fall ‘09 – 1st 8 wks 9 277 295 94%
Fall ‘09 – 2nd 8 wks 9 237 274 87%
Spring ‘10 – 1st 8 wks 5 149 150 99%
Spring ‘10 – 2nd 8 wks 15 427 478 89%
Fall ‘10 – 1st 8 wks 11 324 347 93%
Fall ‘10 – 2nd 8 wks 13 408 418 98%
Spring ‘11 – 1st 8 wks 7 ??? 214 ??%
Spring ‘11 – 2nd 8 wks 12 ??? 374 ??%
As of Nov. 30, 2010

4. Note About the 2-by-8 Data
• This report only includes online courses that
are typically part of an A.A. degree offering.
– Therefore, only liberal arts and sciences courses
are included since these were specifically planned
to be part of the 2-by-8 offerings.
– FYE courses were not included since they are all
offered as 8-wk courses.
– 8-wk developmental courses were included.
– 8-wk HLTH (Nutrition & Wellness) & Marathon
Training (PE) also included.

5. FY10 Completion Data
• Looked at completion/success rates and at
GPA earned for the following groupings of
online courses:
– 1st 8-week courses, both fall and spring (n=427)
– 2nd 8-week courses, both fall and spring (650)
– Summer 8-week courses (1,400)
– All 8-week courses combined (all of the above)
– All other online courses – mostly 16-week (7,470)

6. Completion Chart
70%
72%
74%
76%
78%
80%
82%
84%
86%
All online 1st 8 wks 2nd 8 wks Summer All 8 wks Full term
79.1%
84.8%
75.2%
84.6%
82.2%
78.1%
Online Courses - Grades of C or better - FY10

7. GPA Data
2.60
2.65
2.70
2.75
2.80
2.85
2.90
2.95
3.00
3.05
All online 1st 8 wks 2nd 8
wks
Summer All 8 wks Full term
2.79
2.90
2.78
3.00
2.93
2.75
GPA Earned in Online Courses - FY10

8. 2-by-8 Survey Data
• During both fall terms, we sent a request
to each 2-by-8 student to complete a
brief survey.
• 98 students gave feedback in fall 2009
• 144 students gave feedback in fall 2010

9. Number of 2-by-8 enrolled in
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
1 2 3 4
2009 71.4% 22.0% 6.6% 0.0%
2010 70.1% 22.2% 6.3% 1.4%
2-by-8: courses taken in fall term
2009 20102009, n = 98 2010, n = 144

10. Were you aware when registering?
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
2009 2010
Yes 56.1% 66.7%
No 43.9% 33.3%
Were You Aware When Registering?
Yes No2009, n = 98 2010, n = 144

11. Weekly Workload Requirements?
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
As expected More than
expected
Less than
expected
2009 65.3% 27.6% 7.1%
2010 62.5% 32.6% 4.9%
Weekly Workload Requirements?
2009 20102009, n = 98 2010, n = 144

12. How did you find out that 8-week courses
were available? (Choose all that apply.)
2009 2010
Email from LSC 7 12.7% 1 1.1%
Video on e-Campus 2 3.6% 3 3.1%
Newspaper ads 0 0.0% 0 0.0%
TV ads 0 0.0% 0 0.0%
Advisor 2 3.6% 4 4.2%
Class schedule 45 81.8% 84 86.5%
Word of mouth 2 3.6% 4 4.2%
Other 4 7.3% 11 11.5%

13. I chose courses in the 8-week format
because: (check all that apply)
2009 2010
Met my needs 40 72.7% 49 51.0 %
Preferred learning 25 45.5% 20 20.8%
Lighter workload 6 10.9% 8 8.3%
Advice from others 0 0.0% 4 4.2%
Looking for late start 11 11.5%
Final exams 15 15.6%
Only option for
needed course 34 35.4%
Other 7 12.7% 14 14.6%

14. Once you realized you were enrolled
in an 8-week class, did you: (select all)
2009 2010
Gave it a try 41 95.3% 44 91.7%
Looked for 16-wk options 3 7.0% 2 4.2%
Looked for other 8-wk 2 4.7% 4 8.3%
Talked to instructor 3 7.0% 1 2.1%
Talked to advisor 1 2.3% 0 0.0%
Withdraw? 1 2.1%
Other 3 7.0% 8 16.7%

15. Other feedback. Select all that apply
2009 2010
Not interested in more 13 13.3% 30 21.1%
Works better for me 28 28.6% 45 31.7%
Enrolled in next semester 18 18.4% 0.0%
Want more in future 54 55.1% 70 49.3%
Complete degree this way 24 24.5% 30 21.1%
Reason I enrolled 3 3.1% 6 4.2%
Want 8-wk on campus 27 27.6% 38 26.8%
Other 14 14.3% 21 14.8%

16. 2-by-8 Survey Demographics
31.8%
68.2%
Was this your 1st
term at LSC?
Yes No
11.2%
28.9%
59.9%
FT or PT Student?
6 cr. or less
7-11 credits
12 or more cr.
2 years, n = 242

17. More Demographics
24.4%
21.9%27.7%
25.2%
Employed during term?
No
PT - less than 20 hrs
PT between 20-40 hrs
FT - 40 or more hours
69.8%
38.0%
13.2%
4.5%
Other courses taken
16-wk online
16-wk on-campus
On-campus, less than full term
Other
2 years, n = 242

18. Distance from LSC
36.5%
24.5%
12.0%
10.0% 12.9% 4.1%
0-10 miles 11-30 miles 31-50 miles
51-100 miles 101-200 miles over 200 miles
2 years, n = 242

19. 2-by-8 Online Courses
Associate in Arts
Degree
Lake Superior College