Dr. Vesta R. Whisler Cassie L. Jacobs Jillian M. Moser

Transcription

1 Gatekeeper Perceptions of Interpersonal Skills Learned in Postsecondary Online Degree Programs: Recommendations for Teaching Interpersonal Skills Online Dr. Vesta R. Whisler Cassie L. Jacobs Jillian M. Moser

2 Preview Research Questions Methods Definitions Why the study is important What has been said in the literature Survey results How our results compare with past studies Implications of our findings Recommendations

3 Research Questions 1. How do gatekeepers responsible for screening job candidates perceive the level of interpersonal skills of online degree graduates when compared to graduates of traditional face-to-face programs? 2. How can online educators address important interpersonal skills?

4 Methods Reviewed Literature Gatekeeper perceptions Online learning Interpersonal skills Online tools for incorporating interpersonal skills Surveyed 400 gatekeepers in a 60-mile radius of a regional university in southwest Georgia

5 Definitions Gatekeeper Interpersonal Skills Online Degree Students Anyone who stands between you and the person who might want to hire you (Columbaro & Monaghan, 2009, p. 2). (SCANS) Working on teams, teaching others, serving customers, leading, negotiating, and working well with people from culturally diverse backgrounds (U.S. Dept. of Labor, 1991, p. iii). Most or all (80+%) content delivered online. Typically no face-to-face meetings (Allen & Seaman, 2010, p. 5).

6 Why is this study important? elearners.com (clearinghouse) lists: 4198 online college degrees offered by regionally and nationally accredited colleges and universities 248 online colleges, universities, & schools

7 Why is this study important? Sloan Consortium reports 5.6 million students took at least one online course Fall, % of total enrollment at degree-granting postsecondary institutions, Fall 2009, was online 66% of academic leaders (up from 57% in 2003) rated the learning outcomes in online education as the same or superior to those in face-to-face (Allen & Seaman, 2010, p. 2-8).

8 Why is this study important? 80% of entry-level classified ads called for Interpersonal competencies (North & Worth, 2002). By definition, gatekeepers stand between prospective employees and the employer, so their perceptions matter.

9 What has been said in the literature? Spring 2009, Columaro & Monaghan reviewed the literature related to gatekeeper perceptions of online degrees Gatekeepers were Receptionists HR recruiters Resume Screeners Position managers

10 What has been said in the literature? Study reviewed the literature related to gatekeeper perceptions of online degrees 98% of surveyed employers at traditional four-year colleges preferred candidates with doctoral degrees from traditional universities 96% of surveyed gatekeepers for entry-level positions across industries indicated they would choose a candidate with a traditional degree 95% of surveyed gatekeepers for the healthcare field preferred applicants with traditional degrees 52 administrators from the largest 145 community colleges said they would hire candidates with online degrees (Columaro & Monaghan, 2009)

11 What has been said in the literature? Employers gave these reasons for negative perceptions of online degrees: Lack of rigor Lack of face-to-face interactions Increased potential for academic dishonesty Association with diploma mills Concerns about online students true commitment (Columaro & Monaghan, 2009, p. 5)

12 What has been said in the literature? Perceptions of Employers toward Hiring Graduates with Online Degrees (dissertation) Nationwide online survey of HR professionals responsible for employment, recruitment, and placement 78% of employers would choose an applicant with a traditional degree over one with an online degree Employers paid attention to accreditation Employers are concerned about lack of social or soft skills in online courses (Thompson, 2009)

13 What has been said in the literature? To summarize Scholarly research to date reports that gatekeepers have an overall negative perception about online degrees Perception was higher of online degrees at accredited institutions Opportunities to learn and practice critical interpersonal or soft skills are perceived as lacking in online courses

14 Our Survey of Local Gatekeepers Convenience sampling of surveys sent to regional healthcare offices and facilities within a 60-mile radius 200 surveys sent January, 2011, with 23 responses 200 more sent April, 2011 in process 10 demographic, background, and hiring-related questions 10 questions related to interpersonal skills of online degree completers vs. traditional degree completers

15 Sample of Survey Results So Far Highest degree obtained 39% Doctorate 26% Master s 22% Bachelor s 13% Associate s Percentage of degree work done online 27% reported N/A 73% reported 0% Online

16 Survey Results So Far Respondents were asked if they perceive that online bachelor s degrees earned from a traditional university are accepted in their industry 0% Strongly agree 30% Agree 35% Undecided 26% Disagree 9% Strongly disagree

17 Survey Results (22 Responses) In regards to bachelor degree programs, respondents were asked to select the program type that they perceive best prepares individuals with the following knowledge and/or skill. Traditional Online Both Neither Creativity Innovation 77% 5% 18% Critical Thinking 55% 5% 41% Diversity 77% 18% 5% Ethics Social Responsibility 86% 14% Leadership 86% 9% 5% Oral Communication 95% 5% Problem Solving 45% 14% 41% Professional Work Ethic 68% 23% 9% Teamwork Collaboration 100% Written Communication 36% 9% 55% (Mitchell, Skinner, & White, 2010)

18 How did our results compare? Our results 70% strongly disagreed, disagreed, or were undecided that online bachelor s degrees earned from a traditional university are accepted in their industry The Literature All scholarly research to date concluded that gatekeepers have an overall negative perception about online degrees Perception was higher of online degrees at accredited institutions

19 How did our results compare? Our Survey Results Most concerning interpersonal skills Teamwork Oral communication Ethics Social Responsibility Leadership The Literature Employers reasons for negative perceptions Lack of face-to-face interactions Increased potential for academic dishonesty

20 Implications Gatekeepers need to know that online courses include opportunities for students to build skills in: Teamwork Oral communication Ethics Social Responsibility Leadership

21 Recommendations 1. Communicate with gatekeepers regarding their concerns 2. Include interpersonal skills in the course objectives and outcomes of online courses 3. Use small groups feature in the Learning Management System to help improve teambuilding skills 4. Select technologies based on A. Meeting course outcomes B. Providing opportunities for students to grow their soft skills through online interaction with students and instructors 5. Include instructor presence in online courses to model these skills using written communication, audio, and video

22 Recommendations Use online tools to help students grow their soft skills through student-to-student and studentto-instructor interaction Blogs/Wikis/Discussion Forums Social Media Videoconferencing Create your own videos Teachers Students Avatars/Second Life

23 Review Research Questions Methods Definitions Why the study is important What has been said in the literature Survey results How our results compare with past studies Implications of our findings Recommendations

24 Resources Allen, I. E. and Seamsn, J. (2010). Class Differences: Online Education in the United States, Babson Survey Research Group and The Sloan Consortium. Retrieved from Columbaro, N. L. and Monaghan, C. H. (2009). Employer perceptions of online degrees: A literature review. Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration, 12(1). elearners.com (2011). Partnering with accredited colleges & universities offering online education since Retrieved from Mitchell, G. W., Skinner, L. G., and White, B. J. (2010). Essential soft skills for success in the twenty-first century workforce as perceived by business educators. Delta Pi Epsilon Journal (52)1, pp North, A. B., Worth, W. (2004). Trends in selected entry-level technology, interpersonal, and basic communication SCANS skills: Journal of Employment Counseling (41)2, pp Retrieved from Thompson, L. D. Perceptions of Employers toward Hiring Graduates with Online Degrees. Dissertation. ProQuest LLC,UMI Microform U.S. Department of Labor (1991). What Work Requires of Schools: A SCANS Report for America Retrieved from

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