The Problem
More and more students are turning to online courses. Online courses fit in with busy lifestyles, family commitments and an ever changing employment climate. Online students however, don't always fit their online courses. Online course completion rates are typically lower than traditional face-to-face courses, 11-15% lower (Carr, 2000). This can have funding and retention implications for course providers.
Here are 5 key reasons why learners are struggling in online courses:
1. Time Management
Students are unfamiliar with the time management skills needed to navigate an online course.
Bozarth, Chapman and LaMonica (2004)
2. Planning
Online learning requires planning: establishing goals, setting up a schedule, making adjustments and following through. Many learners need help with this initial planning in self-directed studies.
3. Self-regulation
Learners need support to develop the skills and habits of self-regulation required for online study.
Ludwig-Hardman and Dunlap (2003)
4. Ongoing Support
Online learners need strong ongoing support to improve success.
Ludwig-Hardman and Dunlap (2003) , Miller and Lu (2002)
5. Expectations
Many learners are not aware of the time commitments
required to complete an online course.
Bozarth, Chapman and LaMonica (2004)
As a result there is a need for more student tracking, better communication and personalized support to improve student outcomes. Most educational institutions are already strapped for resources. Course Coach efficiently uses resources to get the best results.
Market Gap
While there are many options for goal setting and planning applications, currently nothing exists for coaching learners through an online course.
Find out more under the heading Market above.
Our Solution to a Common Problem
The Course Coach Solution
Course Coach is a tool created for educational institutions to provide ongoing support with planning, time management, goal setting and self-regulation for learners enrolled in online courses.
What does Course Coach Do?
Course Coach improves student retention and success through a learner-centered, technology supported, course coaching approach.
Course Coach provides learners with the following:
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An individualized course timeline with a detailed breakdown of time requirements for each step
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Weekly and monthly goal setting and monitoring
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Reminders, alerts and support directly to learner's phones and inboxes
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Quick and easy communication between instructor and learner
How does Course Coach Work?
Course Coach integrates with existing course management (CMS) and learning managements systems (LMS). Course Coach can also be used independently.
Learners first work with Course Coach to create a personalized course timeline based on their time availability and desired goals. This personalized timeline outlines the time requirements so expectations are clear from the beginning. Without Course Coach this process is time consuming for instructors and often neglected if learners are unsupported.
Course Coach then monitors learner's progress towards course goals. Weekly and monthly goals can be created, adjusted and monitored based on learner's needs. Reminders, alerts and support based on learner's progress are quickly communicated to learner's mobile devices. This is critical as most messaging within LMS is not received in a timely fashion. Our tool saves instructor's time by automating communication and monitoring thereby addressing issues early and often.
Learners can communicate with the Course Coach tool or their instructors quickly using text messages or email.
