|
Challenges
of Distance Education
|
Student
services challenge
Providing adequate support systems for distance students is a struggle
for many institutions. Distance students are often at a disadvantage because
they may not have access to important student services such as the campus
bookstore, financial aid, registration, tutors, orientation, library services,
and academic advisors.
UCLA
Extension has an extensive students services area on their web site
where students can login and access a software orientation, textbook information,
and a step-by-step guide to get started.
Each online course at UCLA Extension has its own Course Manager who acts
as a primary contact for questions or problems that involve the mechanics
of taking an online class. UCLA extension also provides live, 24-hour
free technical support available by phone seven days a week.
Colorado Community
Colleges Online (CCCOnline)
offers their student's access to SMARTTHINKING,
a web-based tutoring service. The SMARTTHINKING service supplements their
existing academic support services by offering real-time online tutoring
and homework help for core courses and skills 24 hours a day, seven days
a week.
University
of Maryland University College has built extensive financial
aid resources online. Students can apply for financial aid online
and search for scholarship opportunities. UMUC also provides an extensive
distance education orientation for their online students.
The student services challenge in distance education was addressed by
a FISPE-funded LAPP (Learning Anytime, Anywhere Partnership) grant entitled
"Beyond
the Administrative Core: Creating Web-based Student Services for Online
Learners." The purpose of the project was to develop homegrown
and commercial student services online. The project developed a comprehensive
list of student services resources hosted on the WCET web site. The project
focuses on the following core student services:
- Academic Advising
- Orientation
- Career
Planning
- Financial
Aid
- Library
Services
- Tutoring
- Personal Counseling
© Copyright 2003 by Kathy Keairns