HigherEd: Reducing Barriers and Supporting Students While Leveraging Best Practices
In the wake of COVID-19 crisis, the sudden shift of colleges and universities to online learning is likely going to continue this fall semester. This unavoidable push to deliver courses online will emerge as a reliable educational model; unlike the early haste implementation that delivered an unsatisfying educational experience to students.
As per a survey,
“75% of students are unhappy with the quality of eLearning during COVID-19.”
To turn things around, institutions are preparing high to enhance the remote learning experience for another semester. They are focusing on creating an online environment that delivers high-quality learning, including simple and seamless support to help students overcome the barriers in online learning.
Barriers to an improved online learning experience
The biggest barrier/challenge to an improved learning experience is to ensure that students navigate the technology easily. They feel anxious and isolated while using technology in learning online. According to a survey by Inside Higher Ed,
“78% of students say that the online class experience is unengaging.”
Engaging and supporting the online/remote students add up to the list of challenges and are considered one of the biggest barriers in enhancing the online learning experience.
How delivering high-quality online support can enhance the student learning experience?
Students are more likely to succeed when they feel connected to a supportive learning environment. A successful online environment requires an advisor who can assist students for technical issues such as problems during login to the online class, Wi-Fi drops out, network connectivity issues, etc. Building an effective support structure for students who struggle while accessing their program materials requires a support partner like BlackBeltHelp who acts as a success coach to every online learner.
At BlackBeltHelp, we provide anytime, anywhere support that helps institutions in creating a virtual campus community; consisting of support services to meet and exceed the students’ expectations in resolving technical issues that arise in the online learning environment. Personalized support via the preferred delivery method (phone, email, chat, live chat) that fits the students’ needs bridges the gap between students and their convenient learning path. Therefore, access to a supportive learning environment eventually enhances the students’ learning experience.
The Bottom Line is:
To address the needs of students, institutions are continuously working on creating round-the-clock online support structures. The seamless support to common challenges for learning in an online environment allows students to access their courseware in their flexible time frame. Therefore, the ease of online learning coupled with proactive support improves learning outcomes and enhances student satisfaction.
Resources:
https://www.onlineeducation.com/guide/student-support-services
Anthony Banford is an esteemed executive with 19 years of experience in technology, consulting, and education. He begins his latest chapter as Chief Revenue Officer at BlackBeltHelp, aiming to innovate in the higher education support industry. His move follows a successful stint as Head of Revenue at StudentBridge since March 2023, where he significantly contributed to the company’s merger with Full Measure Education, enhancing its service offerings.
Todd Hollrah joins BlackBeltHelp bringing 25+ years of experience managing service delivery operations for several Fortune 500 clients around the globe. After a distinguished career as an executive in the BPO industry, Todd will provide critical insight into building an exceptional customer experience combining both live voice and automated solutions.
Inspired by a family computer that always needed fixing, Chris Uthe has submerged himself in business and technology for the last 20 years. His first company, a PC repair and networking business, was started at just 16 and successfully fueled a deep interest in solving problems as he helped business customers throughout his hometown adopt technology into their business. He would go on to successfully run a media & managed IT company before joining the Ed Tech industry with a successful 13-year tenure within an ERP/SIS company leading the Student Portal & Learning Management division. His last startup, EdSolio, helped to fuel the winds of competency-based education by providing a comprehensive view of a student’s work and achievements. Chris is now focused on creating successful learners by ensuring the highest quality help and support through the use of AI backed toolsets spending the last 3 years in the student engagement and support markets.
Quaiser Absar is the Chief Technology Officer and Director of Institutional Computing at Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia.
Bringing in over 2 decades of experience with him, Manish has ensured seamless operations in terms of client delivery, reporting & analytics, quality, training, and transitions with a special focus on technical integrations to help reduce costs and improve the bottom-line.
Anthony has served higher education in diverse, leadership roles for over 30 years and has helped organizations thrive through his expertise in developing, analyzing, and executing growth strategies. Prior to joining BlackBeltHelp, he served in College Administration as well as in leadership roles within Blackboard Student Services and Ellucian, Inc.
Accomplished IT Specialist and Manager with extensive experience in a higher education setting and demonstrated abilities to effectively manage both student and professional staff. Self-motivated problem solver, who is skilled in managing many issues and prioritizing their importance to find resolutions in a timely and effective manner. Possesses strong abilities to adapt to new technologies by extrapolating from existing experience. Possess first-rate communication and collaboration skills to work with diverse groups effectively.
Lila Buytendorp has been serving as the Director of User Services at Moraine Park Technical College (MPTC) since 2000. In this role she is responsible for staff & lab desktop computing and end user support. She guides and supports technology based on the curriculum needs and ensures technology is implemented to support the emerging needs of the college. She builds and supports integrated systems to improve efficiencies and uses technologies to support data-driven decision making. Lila is a member of the Capital Projects Planning and Design Committee to ensure new or remodeled facilities have appropriate technology.