Abstract
In the U.S., only 38 of every 100 ninth graders enroll in college; of these 38, only 18 complete bachelors’ degrees within six years. Asynchronous learning networks (ALN)—asynchronous, highly interactive, instructor-led, resource-rich, cohort-based learning—can yield high success rates. Growing demand for online education and the expectation among higher education leaders that ALN learning outcomes will exceed face to face outcomes reflect belief in ALN’s power to engage learners. Sloan-C’s body of research confirms that ALN is especially suited for the anytime, anywhere, affordable access that is responsive to learners in a knowledge society. In fact, the original principles of ALN are the same principles that characterize ALN programs that have high student success rates. This paper includes vignettes from two- and four-year ALN programs that have used these principles to achieve high success rates.
Highlights
Affordable access to quality learning with comprehensive breadth of choice is the goal of the Sloan Consortium
According to the Community College Survey of Student Engagement: For every year that you add to the average educational attainment level of the population, you add 5 to 15 percent in economic growth
THIRTEEN WAYS OF LOOKING AT SUCCESS: TWO AND FOURYEAR PROGRAMS WITH HIGH COURSE COMPLETION RATES. It is not unusual for online completion rates at the graduate level to be 90% or higher, rates that are commensurate with face to face graduate programs
Summary
To improve access and attainment for prospective students, the NGA recommends setting statewide benchmarks for postsecondary attainment, creating and supporting integrated K–16 data systems, better aligning K–12 and higher education expectations and incentives, promoting more learning options and focusing on low-performing schools [7]. While these strategies are promising, it is important to keep in mind that tracking individual performance is complicated by the fact that most students—59% in the 1999–2000 academic year—attend more than one college, or simultaneously enroll in two or more institutions [19]. Sloan-C’s body of research confirms that ALN is especially suited for the anytime, anywhere, affordable access that is responsive to life in a knowledge society
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