Academic Coach / Teaching Assistant Model

Transcription

1 1/7/2013 TM Academic Coach / Teaching Assistant Model Prepared for:

2 Instructional Connections Who We Are Instructional Connections (IC) is a fully integrated provider of high quality instructional support services to colleges and universities, which offer online courses and degree programs. We are the first company in U.S. to embed and scale the use of online teaching assistants, AKA academic coaches into high quality, live, asynchronous online, accredited courses and degree programs in traditional universities. We are chartered as a not-for-profit entity in Texas We serve 12 Universities/32 Degree Programs/ students as of 1/7/13 We are a Sole Source Provider. No other North American company works the same way we do with traditional colleges and universities. 2

3 Model Overview Instructional Connections Services Each candidate is a highly qualified, experienced professional holding a graduate degree or doctoral degree from an accredited university. Qualified and vetted applicants are presented to universities for consideration. We recruit nationally based on the specific requirements requested. Training is provided on the university s LMS, orienting each coach that is assigned to a course within a program. IC works with universities to assign and connect coaches to online faculty. IC works with universities to embed coaches into each online course. Coaches typically become the student s initial contact and serve in a fashion as determined by each faculty member. 3

4 Instructional Connections How we work with Universities We gather coach credential requirements from each program and/or course and find qualified academic coaches, who are selected by the university. Professors have 100% control over the course, who coaches, and who is retained as a coach. We build relationships between coaches and faculty and help guide faculty on our model. Coaches take all direction from faculty for all course syllabi, rubrics, course design, communication, and desired course outcomes. Coaches, under full faculty control, grade assignments, lead or participate in discussions, make announcements, handle student issues, and assist faculty in course management. Every course is different, and Instructional Connections works with each faculty member to meet or exceed expectations. We invoice the university after the census date for its official count of students, and disperse pay to coaches after the course has ended and all grades are in. Our services are all inclusive on a per student per course cost basis. 4

5 Instructional Connections Value Propositions We save universities around 33% of instructional Costs We increase persistence rates to over 80% on first three courses in a degree program. We provide coaching an retention strategies for online students. We reduce faculty online course management time by more than 50%. We help university take its quality to scale. We provide universities the ability to increase course offerings. Our proven model has been vetted by major accreditors, including SACS, CCNE, NLNAC, and NCATE. 5

6 Basic Roles of Model Academic Coach Grade Assignments per Faculty Direction Lead Discussion Threads per Faculty Direction Manage Student Support Issues Respond to Questions within 24 hours Document Student Comments Mentor and Coach Students Faculty The Faculty/Adjunct Faculty Member of Record Subject Matter & Curriculum Expert Provides Direction to Academic Coaches Evaluates Coach Performance Academic Coaching Team Academic Coach Leadership Liaison with Faculty/Program Chairs Manages/Supports/Trains Academic Coaches Help Document Faculty Interaction The Student 6

7 The Academic Coach The Academic Coach works directly with students, supporting online learning. Monitor and encourage student engagement Track student activity to support retention Respond to student and faculty s within 24 hours Facilitate and/or Monitor online asynchronous discussion, as directed by the Faculty Grade student assignments within 72 hours, as directed by the Faculty Facilitate grade review by faculty The Academic Coach compensation is based on a formula per student per course cycle. Academic Coaches, on average, serve students per course cycle. In a first assignment, 30 is more typical. A highly proficient coach with ample time may be assigned up to 150 students. 7

8 Typical Course Delivery Cycle Approval of Academic Coaches by University Training & Orientation of Academic Coaches Pre-Course Assignment of Academic Coaches to Course Connecting Faculty with Academic Coaches Weekly Conference Call with Faculty & Coaches Respond to Student & Faculty s within 24 hours During Course Grade assignments as Directed by Faculty within 72 Hours Monitor & Participate in Discussions as Directed by Faculty Recommend Grades and Finalize Grade Book Post Course Post Course Conference Call with Faculty & Academic Coaches Coach Evaluation by Faculty

9 Communication & Documentation We have several templates that can be customized to each program for documenting communications and maintaining proper records. Pre-Course Conference Call Meeting Minutes Academic Coach Welcome Letters Academic Coach Assignment Sheets Academic Coach Contact Spreadsheets (updated with each course start) Weekly Conference Call Meeting Minutes Academic Coach Evaluation Forms Instructional Connections utilizes an secure, online file sharing server (Box.com) for sharing documents and information that is easily accessible to Program Administrator for reference and frequently used for Accreditation site visits.

10 Our Current Partners

11 Contact Information: Robert F. (Bob) Williams, Ed.D. President, Instructional Connections Inc Cliffrose LN Lewisville, TX M: / W: / F: [email protected] 11