Strategies for Enhancing Student Engagement in Virtual Education
In the summer of 2021, Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) launched a redesigned online statistics course, and the results have been nothing short of impressive. The Drop-Fail-Withdraw (DFW) rate has seen a significant decrease, currently standing at 10%, marking a 50% reduction compared to previous rates.
The course was the brainchild of faculty member Jason Wheeler, who redesigned the online statistics courses in the year 2020. He collaborated with Mary Henson, an instructional designer, to bring about this transformation.
For Anabella Koen, a junior studying social work at EKU, the redesigned course was a relief. Koen expressed initial anxiety about the online class due to her math skills. However, the redesigned course, hosted on Blackboard Learn, offered a breath of fresh air.
Dr. Stephanie McSpirit, the course's professor, was particularly focused on helping students at risk of failing or withdrawing. She achieved this by incorporating short lecture videos, prompt responses to emails and questions, and interactive slides with lecture snacks.
McSpirit also added a time-management self-assessment at the end of each week, allowing students to evaluate their performance and plan for the next week. Every module ends with a quiz that students can take twice, providing ample opportunity for revision and understanding.
To make the exercises applicable and accessible, McSpirit used real data and open-source software. Furthermore, interactive quizzes were inserted every five or ten slides, ensuring continuous engagement and learning.
The redesigned course's success did not go unnoticed. In 2022, EKU was awarded a Catalyst award in the teaching & learning category, a testament to the course's effectiveness and innovation.
McSpirit's dedication to student success is evident in every aspect of the redesigned course. Her efforts have undoubtedly contributed to the significant decrease in the DFW rate, making the course more accessible and beneficial for students like Anabella Koen.
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