Once Upon A Time...

Once Upon A Time…

I was sitting in a meeting recently and heard a faculty member from well respected research university say that the reason they have not offered online classes in their division is because the “faculty can not come to agreement on online efficacy.”    He went on to say that they have been talking about it for a few years but just can agree that you can provide quality education online.

This is not the first time I have heard this type of statement.  As a matter of fact, I actually hear it fairly regularly.  It may be masked as:  students can easily cheat online, how do I know that the student at the other end of the computer is really who they say they are, student success rates in online classes are not as good, etc.

It is about 6:45am and my wife and son are sleeping.  I am drinking some coffee and musing about this idea of online education.   Is it really online classes that are the problem or the people we choose to develop them and teach them that are the problem?  Are the faculty that choose to teach them doing it because they believe in it OR because it provides flexibility in their schedule?  Maybe they do it because they think it will be easier.

Comparison of the naysayer….

Once upon a time:

(Anna) Hey Billy, look at that boat sailing out there towards the sun.

(Billy) Wow Anna, the better turn around soon.

(Anna) No kidding.  They are getting awfully close to the edge.

(Anna)  I don’t think they know it drops off.

(Billy)  There they go.  It’s like the 5^th one we have seen this month.

(Anna)  You would think they would put up a fence or something.

(Billy)  Some people just gotta learn the hard way.

(Julia)  I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation.  What if it’s round?

(Anna & Billy)  ????

Once upon a time remix:

(Anna) Hey Billy, look at those students about to sign up for online classes.

(Billy)  Wow Anna, they better change to in-person classes soon.

(Anna)  No kidding.  They are getting awfully close to the start of the semester.

(Anna)  I don’t think they know how the success rates drop off.

(Billy)  There they go.  It’s like the 500^th one we have seen this month.

(Anna)  You would think they would block enrollment or something.

(Billy) Some people just gotta learn the hard way.

(Julia)  I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation.  What if online works?

(Anna & Billy)  ????

Online classes are here whether we like them or not.  It is our responsibility as educators to ensure they work.  This means academic rigor, student learning, and student success while maintaining the flexibility that online offers.   We have to be prepared for the learners of the future.   They are learning in ways we never imagined.

Helicopter Parents

Helicopter Parents

Do you know what these are?  In the world of higher education, helicopter parents are soccer moms on steroids.  They are the parents that want to do everything for their children.  Speak for them, think for them, do for them, etc.   If possible, they are over parenting.

We all know parents like this.  If you do not know a parent like this, parents know you.  Just kidding.  Kinda.  No, really, I am kidding.  Or am I.  HA!

I have worked in higher education for the better part of 15 years.  I have a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration.  I have worked in small private liberal arts universities, large public universities and the community college.  You may think I have seen it all, but honestly, when you work with college students they can surprise you at every turn! 

I am not an expert on parenting, nor do I play one on TV.   I am a parent, however, and typically by late January each year I have already lost the Parent of the Year award.   I would not classify myself as a helicopter parent, but I am involved in my child’s education.  What is the difference?  The answer to that question is more of a dissertation than a blog entry, but let me sum it up in one sentence.  The difference is that I support not direct, I advise not answer for, and I, too, love unconditionally.

College is a time for students to explore.  This has taken on the wrong meaning over the years, but exploration is critical.  They need to explore majors, explore involvement opportunities, explore friendships, explore interests, etc.  It is a time of a student’s life to begin to grow into an adult.  Times have shifted a bit, however.  Today, people are still considered kids into their mid to late 20s.  More and more kids move home after college.  We all know that parenting never stops.  These days however, we are parenting adults in ways we have not done with past generations.

What is the best way to help your college student be successful?  First and foremost, my recommendation is to be involved.  Be their support.  Be their sounding board.  Be their parent.  Second, allow them space to solve their own problems, remove their own obstacles and speak for themselves.  Colleges and Universities at all levels have professional staff members and faculty that teach, mentor and advocate for students every day.  Third, push your student to connect with the individuals on their campus that can help them.  For reference some of those are their professors and their academic advisor.  These folks know how to navigate the system and connect your student to the proper resource to assist them.  Fourth, you should regularly tell them you love them.  If they are away at college, send a care package.  Nothing says I love you more than a gift box full of delicious treats!  If you have extra, I take them as well! 

Finally, for the helicopter parents in you… It’s okay to hover above.  Just hover a bit higher so your kids don’t feel your breeze in their face.

Are Online Classes Right For Me?

Online classes are not for everyone.  I say that, but it's not for the reason you think.  Anyone can be successful in online classes.  Being successful in an online class has nothing to do with academic aptitude.  It really comes down academic discipline.  Here are some questions to ask yourself to determine if you have what it takes to be successful in an online class......

1.  Am I willing to carve out regular time?  So often students think they can "do this anytime."  While that is true, you will have due dates for assignments, projects, tests, etc.  Students who set up regular time each week to focus on their online class are more successful than those who do not.

2. Do I like to read?  I guess that is not exactly the right question.  I would say it would be more:  Will I do all the reading?  It is much more difficult to fake your way through an online class.  They typically require you to write out your thoughts.  Professors are not asking you clarifying questions and there are not others raising their hands to answer questions.  You need to be prepared with the answers to questions.  That requires you to actually read the material.

3.  Am I a social learner?  While many faculty members require group assignments/projects in their online class, much of what you do is on your own.   Learning to work alone can be beneficial to you.  I will say however that if you primarily prefer social learning environments, online may not be the best answer for you.

4.  Do you communicate well in writing?  The online environment will force you to communicate your points in writing.  If writing is not your greatest strength, you may struggle in the online class.  Granted if you are taking math online this may not be relevant, but for everything else it is.

5.  Are you willing to seek out help when you need it?   Many campuses do not offer the same services online as they do in person.  If you are struggling with your class, you will need to be willing to come to campus for support if they don't offer it online.

The online environment is a fantastic way to both supplement your education and get your education. Nationally research tells us that students are less successful in the online environment than more traditional environments.  You can buck that trend if you are committed to the online course(s) you are in.

Academic Advising

Academic Advisors are experts in educational planning.  Depending on where you chose to go to college, they could be professional staff members, faculty or both.  Advisors measure their success by your educational success.  Advisors are your partners in helping you to achieve your educational goals.

So often students “self advise” or get academic advise from friends.   My recommendation is that you use the people who have dedicated their professional careers to the craft of advising.  Students should meet with an academic advisor every semester prior to enrolling for classes.  Advisors will ensure that you take the proper courses to make your academic experience both efficient and engaging.  They will help you properly sequence courses to maximize your learning and help your semesters feel seamless. 

At the community college level, advisors are also experts in transfer.  They can help you to explore the vast opportunities that exist for you.  They will help you understand how your credits will transfer, show you important resources and connect you to university transfer representatives. 

No matter where you start your college experience, utilize advisement often.  The better you know your advisor and your advisor knows you, the better your experience will be.  Remember that the only “dumb” question is the one that is not asked.  Advisors will share all kinds of information with you, but if you have questions that they did not address, ask them.  If you did not understand something they said, ask them to clarify.  The more information you have, the more prepared you are.  Advisors WANT to prepare you! 

5 Steps to a Successful College Search

5 Steps to a Successful College Search:

1.  Be Realistic.  You should be focusing institutions where you meet their admission requirements.  Looking at schools that would be a little stretch is good, but should not be your primary focus.

2.     Explore Your Needs.  Take the time to explore what your non-negotiables are, what your like to haves are, and what is not important to you.  This will help you to expand or narrow your search.

3.  Seek knowledge.  It is always good to talk to someone who knows something about the college admissions/search process.  Experts in the process can help you to simply and maximize your time and effort.

4.  Create a Timeline.  Set a timeline for yourself.  Some colleges and universities have application deadlines.   Some have rolling admissions processes.  You do not want to lose out on the perfect school because you were behind.

5.     Enjoy the process.  Yes, this should be a fun experience.  The opportunities that are before you should be exciting.  Embrace it!

Narrowing Your Search

So often I am asked by parents and students,  “How do I know if this is the right college for me?”

Here are some things to consider when making your final decision:

1.     Make a list of your non-negotiables.  These are things that the school MUST have in order for you to attend.  These are things you believe that you cannot live without.  This list should not be taken lightly.  This should be the key filter in which every college is initially judged.

2.     Make a list of your “nice to haves.”  Once you have this list created, you should rank this list.  This will help you later when you are making your final college choice.

3.     Visit the campus more than once.  The summer visit is nice, but you are seeing the campus at its cleanest and without its main student population.  You want to see the campus when it is in full swing.  This will give you the true sense of what this college is really like.  When you see a residence hall in July it is clean and looking nice.  When you see it in October when student have settled in and are living there, it will have a completely different feel.

4.     Talk with someone who can give you unbiased feedback.   You need to be able to explore this college from all angles.   Getting this kind of feedback will be beneficial in making your choice.

5.     In the end, which of these schools on your final list are you the most excited about?   Ultimately it is your choice and you need to be the one who it truly excited to attend there.   Selecting the college you are going to attend should be a huge and exciting moment in your life! 

Passion for Learning

Recently there has been much chatter about the cost of education vs. what your education does for you.  We read about all the people with their "Liberal Arts" type degrees being unemployed.  We hear that STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) is the way to go.  If you don't have a STEM degree, you will have a tougher time finding work.  STEM is the way of the future!

Or Not.

Look, there are many jobs (high paying at that) out there that are not STEM related.  There are people all over the country doing amazing things that are not STEM related.  There are people without STEM related degrees out there who are also happy with what they do.  How is this possible?  Hmm.  I am going to say it has everything to do with PASSION.  No acronym here.  Just plain old passion.

If you are a student who is passionate about English, study it, master it, and you will find a job doing something with it.  Same goes for Psychology, Sociology, you-name-it major.  Just in the same way, you can study those subjects, choose them as your major, not care really about the subject matter and then not know how to find a job using the skills you were taught in college.  Oddly enough, that also applies to STEM related majors.  If you are not passionate about the subject matter, it is not as easy to sell yourself in a job interview.

As a Nation, we are all jumping on board to the idea that we need more college graduates.  We do.  We do not, however, need more college graduates with degrees in subjects they have no interest in.  When is the last time someone achieved greatness in something he/she was not passionate about?  I'm not talking 15 minutes of fame, but true greatness.  I'm sure it happens, but a blind squirrel also finds an acorn once and a while, too.  What we need are students studying subjects they love.  This will make all the difference in the world.  Can you imagine if we could teach all of our students to love to learn?   We would unharness creative minds like we have never seen before.  In all subjects.  Our education system would again be #1 because we would be developing the best thinkers on the planet.

How can we make this happen?  It starts at home, then in elementary school, on to middle and high school, then to college.  Choosing the proper college adds to the mix.  When students attend colleges/universities that are "best fit" for them, they are more likely to feel comfortable in the environment.  When they feel comfortable, they are more likely to explore the opportunities the institution has for them.  When they explore, they find their true passions.  When they find them, they study them and learn them.   Now we have passionate people who are ready to take on the world.  Can you see it?  Me, too.  Let's make this a priority!