Lake Superior College offers an online student mentor program that supports over 2,000 students enrolled in online courses. The program began in 2003 with 34 faculty members utilizing mentors to assist students, addressing technical questions and course support, thus improving course completion rates. Mentors are compensated from the virtual campus budget, and students have reported higher satisfaction levels in various aspects of their online educational experience.

1. Lake Superior College Online Student Mentors

2. A Few Vital Stats Over 2,000 students take at least one online course each semester at LSC. 150 sections of online courses were taught during fall semester 2008.

3. A Few Vital Stats 24% of our total enrollment is online. 89% of all available seats are taken. Approx. 65 faculty members teach at least one online course per year at LSC.

5. Student Mentor Program The LSC Online Programs Advisory Committee (OPAC) engaged in discussions related to this concept during the spring semester of 2003. History

6. Student Mentor Program Four faculty members used student mentors for the first time at LSC during the fall semester 2003. Each faculty member decided how to best use the mentor for assistance. History

7. By the Numbers In total, 270 different online course sections have included mentors during the 5 years. 34 different faculty members have used mentors. Online Student Mentor Program for Lake Superior Connect e-Campus FY 03-04 FY 04-05 FY 05-06 FY 06-07 FY 07-08 Mentors 13 20 22 19 17 Faculty 11 18 20 17 13 Courses 16 29 36 33 29 Sections 35 54 66 63 52

8. Money, Money, Money Student mentors are paid a $50 base plus $100 per credit for each course mentored. For example, the pay would be $350 per semester for a 3-credit class.

9. Students are paid as student workers from the Virtual Campus budget. This is one of the things provided through an additional tuition charge for online courses. Money, Money, Money

10. Why Student Mentors? Student Mentors were seen as a possible solution to relieving a portion of the sometimes overwhelming crush of electronic communications …. especially those questions not related to course content.

11. Why Student Mentors? As a 2-year school, we don’t have the ability to use Teaching Assistants or similar employees. Online student mentors are intended to assist both students and teachers.

12. Our OSM Model Mentor is “tied” to a particular course. Help with technical aspects—especially at beginning of course Answer general questions Support the instructor Help with assignments and reminders

13. Our OSM Model They are NOT: Subject tutors Counselors Advisors Proofreaders Graders Disciplinarians

14. Models at Other Schools Some schools take the “advisor approach” to peer mentoring. Students are assigned a peer mentor Mentors are not tied to a particular course but to a particular student Mentors help more with student services and/or business services functions than with academic course functions.

15. Comparing Models Our course-centered approach was intended to help students complete specific courses in an effort to positively impact course completion rates and persistence. The advisor approach won’t help the student much if they don’t complete their first round of courses.

16. Selecting Mentors Faculty members select students (usually “star” students) and invite them to be mentors for the class in future semesters.

17. Selecting Mentors Students who are familiar with the program will often initiate conversation with the faculty member in an effort to become a mentor.

18. Actual Email #1 Hi, I want to say how much I have enjoyed this class, and how I want to take it over and over again! I am interested in being a student mentor. I don’t know how to be one, or even if you need one next semester. But if you do … I would be interested and honored to be a student mentor for this class. Thanks, Ann

19. Actual Email #2 I just want to tell you how much I loved your class!!! I was not looking forward to a lit class, but your class ended up being my favorite!!! I was just wondering if that student mentor thing is a work/study thing and if I could possibly do it next semester. I qualify for work/study, but I couldn’t do it this past semester since I don’t live in Duluth. Danielle

20. Basic Qualifications Experienced online student—preferably of the same class Successful (A or B) student Technologically savvy and confident Responsible and timely Currently enrolled student Able to commit 3-5 hours per week for a three-credit class

21. Mentor Creating Helpful Content

22. Mentor Introducing Herself

23. Mentor Being a Cheerleader

24. Mentor Giving a Helpful Answer

25. Mentor Giving a Good Reminder

26. Success Stories Development of future teachers Many have gone into education without having that career path previously in mind. Jobs for distance students This was one of the main reasons for initial implementation.

27. Success Stories Employment for students w/unique circumstances Students w/disabilities, opportunities for housewives, and many other reasons. Continued learning Mentors benefit from additional review of course materials and from different perspectives brought to the class by other students

28. Noel-Levitz PSOL Priorities Survey for Online Learners – Spring 2005 Demographics question added: Have you taken an online class at LSC where there was an “Online Student Mentor”? Yes 42% No 35% Don’t Know = 23% “ Yes” students had higher satisfaction on all 36 items surveyed. Item Yes No Diff. Institution responds quickly to info requests. 5.85 5.43 .42 Appropriate technical assistance available. 5.81 5.42 .39 Quality of online instruction is excellent. 5.93 5.44 .49 So far, has your college experience met your expectations? 5.22 4.87 .35 Rate your overall satisfaction with your experience here thus far. 6.02 5.63 .39 All in all, if you had it to do over, would you enroll here again? 6.05 5.60 .45

29. Non-Completion Rates 3,648 students – Spring 2008

30. Barry Dahl [email_address]