Connecting Data to Programs

 

Meet & Greet
11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
You will have a chance to connect with our expert speakers and other attendees, share how you’ve adapted your retention efforts for online students in light of the pandemic, and discuss what you’ve learned since March.

 

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Welcome and Introductions
12:00 – 12:15 p.m.

 

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Online Student Retention: The Broader Landscape
12:15 – 1:15 p.m.
This opening hour will set the stage for our understanding of online student retention and the various components we will explore throughout the conference. We will look at national data and trends and discuss how these trends are playing out on our campuses.

 

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Break
1:15 – 1:30 p.m.

 

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Data and Decision-Making
1:30 – 2:45 p.m.
We’ll begin by focusing on retention data. Our instructor will provide numerous examples from his own institution, and we will engage in group discussion around the following topics:

• Specific data points you should examine
• How to identify patterns in your data to discern persistence and retention challenges
• How you can effectively analyze your data to make informed decisions
• Identifying programs or services to pilot based on what your data is telling you
• How you can move from being predictive to prescriptive with your data capabilities

 

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Break
2:45 – 3:15 p.m.

 

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Beginning Your Plan: Working Time
3:15 – 4:15 p.m.
This block of working time will center around the baseline retention data collection, tracking, and analysis that you need to be doing with regards to your online student cohorts. You will be given time to work through a series of worksheets in small groups, or in your teams, that will help you take stock of which data points you already have and actively track and which ones you still need. Our experts will be on hand for individualized coaching and consultation as needed.

 

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Day 1 Wrap-Up
4:15 – 4:30 p.m.
As we conclude our first day together, you will have the opportunity to ask questions of the speakers and connect with other attendees around shared challenges and opportunities.

 

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Enhancing the Learning Experience

 

Sign-In and Networking
11:50 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

 

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Day 2 Opening Remarks
12:00 - 12:15 p.m.

 

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Preparing Students for Online Success
12:15 – 1:30 p.m.
Creating a purposeful orientation experience that is specifically geared toward online students can go a long way to promote retention on the front end. Our second day together will open with an in-depth case study of one institution’s creative approach to their online student orientation. We will address:

• Best practices and strategies pertaining to orientation format
• Implementation
• Topics to include
• Delivery methods

 

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Break
1:30 – 1:45 p.m.

 

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Best Practices for Course Design in the Online Environment
1:45 – 2:45 p.m.
Course design is a critical component of retention in the online learning space. A quality course should be designed to be straightforward and navigable for students and include ample opportunity for student-to-student interaction. In this session we will explore the connection between course design and retention, as well as provide best practices for designing an effective online course.

 

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Break
2:45 – 3:15 p.m.

 

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Online Faculty Training: Structure, Content, and Delivery
3:15 – 4:15 p.m.
This session will feature a focused conversation on best practice techniques for training programs designed for online faculty. We will answer the following questions:

• How can I mitigate faculty resistance to online teaching?
• How are other institutions training faculty to teach effectively online?
• What does the format of those training programs look like, and which aspects of effective online teaching are they most emphasizing?

You will hear a presentation from an institution that has implemented an exemplary faculty training program. You will also be given time to identify your own strengths and opportunities for improvement at your institution.

 

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Continuing Your Plan: Working Time and Day 2 Wrap-Up
4:15 – 4:45 p.m.
Here, at the halfway point of the conference, you will be given time to get together with your teams to work on specific online support programs and services. Templates and worksheets will be provided and conference instructors will be on hand for questions, individualized coaching, and consultation as needed. You will be asked to share what progress you have made with the group at the end of the hour.

 

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Student Support and The Road Ahead

 

Sign-In and Networking
11:50 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

 

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Day 3 Opening Remarks
12:00 – 12:15 p.m.

 

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Mental Health and Online Learning
12:15 – 1:15 p.m.
Providing adequate mental health support for distance learners is often more challenging than it is for on-campus students. In this session we will explore national student mental health trends, best practices for training faculty and advisors to identify the signs of online learners experiencing mental health issues, and how technology and other tools that are available to institutions to help work around state counseling licensure issues.

 

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Break
1:15 – 1:45 p.m.

 

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Student Support: Best Practices for Advising for Success
1:45 – 2:45 p.m.
This session will feature a focused conversation on best-practice techniques for reaching beyond academic advising to support students through their online-program journey. The discussion will include a case study that explores the impact and implementation of Arizona State University’s Success Coaching Program and explore how institutions can effectively support online students around non-cognitive factors such as grit, creativity, and time management. You will be given ample time to discuss these topics with the group and to plan how you will improve your own strategies in this area.

 

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Break
2:45 – 3:00 p.m.

 

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Finalizing Your Plan
3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
This hour will give you the opportunity to complete the third and final portions of your draft plans. The conference instructors will be circulating around the virtual breakout rooms to provide individual help and guidance as needed.

 

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Moving Forward: Key Takeaways and Conference Wrap-Up
4:00 – 4:30 p.m.