Developing a Learner Support Model for Your Context

Questionnaire #1 - The Case Study:  Your Institution and Your Learners

	This exercise is to be done in small working groups.  You will need a scribe (to record the main points and complete the questionnaire) and presenter (to summarize your case study and conclusions for the larger group).  This can be the same person if the group chooses.   Once you have determined these roles, you can use this questionnaire to develop a case study describing the factors that you think are most important in determining an effective model of student support for CCRTVU.  

1.  Your Institution and Context

How would you describe your institution? (e.g. open, mega, dual-mode, online, multi-media, university) and what is the organizational structure?  

Is the institution in a period of relative stability or transition?  If in transition, what are the changes and are there some new goals? 

Where is the institution located? (centralized/de-centralized)  What geographical area is served? 

Is there more than one source of revenue and is funding fairly stable? 

How adequate are current resource levels in relation to goals (e.g. level of $$$, qualified and trained staff, facilities, technologies)?

What types of programs and courses are offered? (e.g. university baccalaureate and graduate programs, skills training, personal development, professional development/training)?

What/who is the target market? (e.g. geographical spread, type of student) 

Describe your learners’ characteristics and most pressing needs (e.g. level of academic preparedness, age, gender, culture, degree of homogeneity, special needs such as disabilities, experience with modes of delivery other than classroom, access to technology and other resources and facilities such as libraries, desire for contact with instructors)

What are the most important issues and greatest challenges currently facing the institution? (e.g. scarce resources, educationally disadvantaged learners, diversity of learner characteristics and needs, need for staff development, lack of technical infrastructure, competition from other institutions)? 

What are the current opportunities for the institution? (e.g. for partnerships, new programs, new markets, for greater revenue, improving quality of learning experience for students)

2.  Philosophy of Education/Values/Culture/Methods

What is the prevailing view of the teaching/learning process at your institution?  For example, how active or passive should the learner be in the learning process?  Who is more responsible for learning outcomes—teacher or learner?  How much help should learners be given in order to help them be successful in their studies?

What is the main role of the teacher (e.g. facilitator, guide, content expert)?

What kind of teaching/tutoring is offered through what modes (lecture, interactive, discussion groups, online and print written materials, face to face, online synchronous or asynchronous, other)?  

What learner support services other than tutoring/teaching are available to students to help them with their learning (library services; technical support; academic advising; online administrative services such as registration)?  

What are the qualifications of faculty/instructors and other staff who provide learner support?  What kinds of professional development and training are offered for instructors and other learner support staff?

What is the rationale for the learner support currently offered?  (e.g. To help students develop learning skills?  To prevent dropout?  To help students to move efficiently through the system?  To enhance accessibility?)

What are the desired learning outcomes (e.g. content mastery, skills acquisition--including learning skills)?  

How is success measured? (e.g. completion rates, re-enrolment, graduation rates, employment of graduates, knowledge and skills gained)

3. Research Data

What do you know about learner behaviour in your institution (e.g. enrolment and re-enrolment patterns, contact with professors, desire for contact with peers, learning preferences and styles, willingness/ability to travel for services)?

What is the persistence rate in first courses?  What is the graduation rate (degree completion)?

What do you know about how satisfied your learners are?  How is this measured?

What other kinds of data do you collect about students or institutional performance that might inform your planning of learner support?  

Are there any other factors about your institution or the larger context that should be taken into account (e.g. pressure to experiment with new technologies or different types of media)

END OF QUESTIONNAIRE #1