MnSCU PSOL Questions - Recently Updated Pages

Noel-Levitz Samples

barrydahl — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 11:05:58 CST

The information below comes from Noel-Levitz. There is no information available regarding the importance ratings for these items from actual student surveys.

Sample Custom Items for the Priorities Survey for Online Learners
Updated June 2007

The Priorities Survey for Online Learners provides space for campuses to define up to 10 items which are specific to the institution. These items must be phrased positively so students can respond with an indication of the level of importance and the level of satisfaction. Following are sample items for your consideration which your campus may use as stated, or may use as a starting language to further customize your campus defined items. Many of these items have been created and used by client institutions for their own PSOL administrations. They are organized by topic areas to assist you with your review.

Topic: Academics

General education/curriculum
I am able to achieve my educational goals at this institution.
I am able to receive adequate scholastic training and professional development through my academic program.
Small class sizes allow for enough teacher-to-student interaction.
Online courses are academically and intellectually challenging.
My department offers appropriate concentration/specializations.
I consistently have quality course experiences.
I have or plan to participate in research activities or conduct research projects.
I feel actively engaged in the learning process during my program of study.
The amount of work required to succeed in an online course is appropriate.
There are opportunities available to study abroad.
Academic programs are well-connected with the businesses and industries they serve.
I have been intellectually stimulated by the material in this class.
The work required for my degree was valuable.
Courses necessary to meet my degree objectives are offered.

Requirements

Expectations for course performance are clearly outlined at the beginning of the class.
Technical expectations (hardware, software, etc.) were clearly explained prior to enrolling in online classes.
It is important that I have all assignments and expectations available at the beginning of an online course.

Career Planning

There are opportunities in co-op, internships, student teaching, or other experiential learning experiences.
My degree program is preparing me for the real world.

Instruction

Instructors' expectations of student performance were clearly communicated.
There is consistency in the quality of instruction from one online course to another.
Online learning tools (i.e., discussion boards, assessments, submissions, e-mail, grade book) are easy to use.
Interactive course wares such as simulations contribute to my understanding of course material.
The online tutorials and orientations helped me in my courses.
There are a variety of instructional approaches presented in my online courses.
There are clear instructions provided at the beginning of my online courses.

Topic: Academic Advising

My academic advisor is easy to contact.
My faculty advisor offers the quality of academic advising that I desire.

Topic: Faculty/Staff

Interactions I have with online instructors are useful to me in the learning process.
Faculty demonstrate the relevance of the curriculum to real-world situations.
The quality of student interaction with faculty is excellent.
I feel comfortable going to staff with questions.
I can receive timely responses for my questions from the staff.
I am given regular assessment feedback to help gauge my learning progress in my online courses.
Faculty care about me as an individual.
My comments and feedback are valued by my online instructors.
The online staff is responsive to the needs of students.
Overall customer service at this institution is exceptional.

Topic: Campus/Student resources
Orientation

The online orientation provided adequate information regarding resources to assist me in learning online.
The orientation I attended on distance learning was adequate.
This university provides adequate orientation to new online learners.
I know more about what it takes to be a successful online learner as a result of the online orientation.
The orientation to online courses prepared me to succeed in my online courses.

Academic support

There are adequate services available to help me academically.
Support services (i.e. tutoring, counseling, special needs, etc) are available at convenient times.
Tutoring services offered are readily available.
The evening, weekend, and daytime support available to me is helpful.
Distance Learning staff is responsive to students needs.

Bookstore

Procedures for purchasing textbooks online are convenient for me.
Book and supply purchasing processes are satisfactory.
Personnel in the college bookstore are helpful and available to assist me.

Library

The library has provided me adequate access to academic resources.
The hours the library is open meet my needs.
Online library services adequately meet the needs of students.

Health/Counseling Services

Personal and social counseling services are easily accessible.

Career Services

This university is helping prepare me for success in my career.
Career/counseling services for distance learning students are easily accessible / adequate.
There are adequate services to help me identify job/career options related to my career goals.
Adequate career planning services are available via the career services department.
There are adequate services to help students decide upon a career.

Other:

The institution provides quality opportunities for alumni involvement.
As a distance education student, I feel a part of the campus community.

Topic: Facilities

Classroom equipment or facilities are adequate.

Topic: Admissions

The college admissions process is user friendly.
My application for admission was handled in a timely manner.
Admissions staff are knowledgeable about university programs and services.
Admissions advisors accurately portray the college in their recruiting practices.
Opportunities to visit the college and meet with instructors are made available at convenient times.
All of my questions were answered prior to enrolling.

Registration

Online courses in my major/program are available when it's my time to register.
Course registrations are processed accurately.It is easy to register for courses at this campus.
This institution provides ease in transferability of credits.
Online registration is easy and accessible and assistance is provided if needed.
Class change (drop/add) policies are reasonable.

Financial Aid

Information from distance learning staff on financial aid procedures is clearly communicated to me.
Based on information from the financial aid office, I understand the process and what is expected of me.
My financial aid application was processed in a timely manner.
Billing invoices and statements are easy to understand.
Billing and payment procedures are timely.

Topic: Diversity

The college environment is respectful of multicultural differences.
A variety of multicultural events and activities are offered.
Gender equity and equal opportunity exist in the classroom.

Topic: Technology

There is sufficient technical assistance available when I need help.
The website provides useful information about online programs and courses.
Course web sites include a variety of materials or activities to help students learn the course content.

Demographic Items:

Please indicate permanent resident area
Please indicate your internet tool
Please indicate primary campus location
What company is your internet service provider

MnOnline Added Questions

barrydahl — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 10:51:38 CST

The list below comes from Noel-Levitz and represents the added questions previously used by the different MnOnline institutions when administering the PSOL. This list may be helpful, however, it is of limited value without knowing how highly rated these items were on the importance scale. My suggestion to you is that you concentrate on trying to add questions to your survey that have high importance to students.

Course goals and procedures (e.g., completing assignments, projects and papers) are clearly communicated.
Course opportunities and activities allow and include diverse perspectives (different race, religion, etc.)
Course opportunities and activities are provided for students to think creatively and critically.
Course web sites include a variety of materials or activities to help students learn the course content.
Courses are organized so I can easily find what I need.
Distance Learning staff is responsive to students’ needs.
Enough assistance is available to me at my campus.
Enough assistance on how to get started in distance education is available to me at my campus.
Faculty are responsive when addressing problems or concerns.
Faculty care about me as an individual.
Faculty expectations of work and assignment quality are high.
I am aware of how to get help if I need it for the college online courses.
I am aware of the face-to-face, email, and telephone support available to me in my online courses.
I can find information I need on the college website.
I can find the information I need on the college website.
I feel as though I am a member of the university community.
I feel connected with my classmates in my online course.
I feel of sense of community or belonging through college's online learning environment.
I have adequate technical skills needed to complete my online courses.
I rely on the Center for Continuing Studies to provide online student support services.
I was contacted before the class began and made aware of class instructions.
I was fully prepared for taking an online course.
I was fully prepared to take an online class.
I would like to take more online courses from the college.
If the college offered more online courses, I would take them.
Instructions for getting started with online courses in the Online Course User's Guide are clear and accurate.
Instructors use a variety of tools and activities to help me learn.
It was clearly communicated to me when to expect feedback from instructors.
My academic advisor is knowledgeable about my program requirements.
My certificate/diploma/degree is available fully online.
My distance portal provides helpful information.
My instructor responds to my emails in a timely manner.
My orientation to D2L tools was adequate.
Online courses are academically and intellectually challenging.
Online courses in my major/program are available when it's my time to register.
Online courses provide a variety of materials or activities to help students learn the course content.
Online faculty are understanding of students' unique life circumstances.
Online general education and liberal studies (GELS) courses are available when it's my time to register.
Online instructors care about my success in their classes.
Online interaction provides a sense of being connected with other students in my online courses.
Overall technical support from the college has been good.
Overall technical support from the University has been good.
Procedures for purchasing textbooks online are convenient for me.
Smart Thinking online tutoring services provide just-in-time help and support for my online classes.
Suggestions for learning effectively in an online course are provided to help me succeed.
Support services (i.e. tutoring, counseling, special needs, etc) are available at convenient times.
Support services such as counseling, writing center, and bookstore, are available online.
Support services such as counseling, writing center, tutoring, and bookstore are available online.
Taking online courses from more than one college at the same time is workable.
Technical assistance is appropriate for my needs.
Technical support for online instruction is timely.
The admissions process is user friendly.
The college admissions process is user friendly.
The college consistently enforces the non-attendance policy in online courses.
The college consistently enforces the policies on academic dishonesty (plagiarism/cheating) in online courses.
The college consistently enforces the policies on academic dishonesty in online courses.
The college environment is respectful of multicultural differences.
The college has a wide array of online resources that are helpful to me as a student.
The college Help Desk responds in a timely manner and provides useful information and solutions.
The college Online Library Resources are easy to access.
The college provides a variety of online course offerings that are of interest to me.
The college Virtual Campus Help Desk responds with useful information and solutions.
The courses I need to meet my educational objectives are offered online.
The D2L Help Desk responds in a timely manner.
The Desire2Learn (D2L) platform is user friendly.
The flexibility of online courses allows me to take more credits than I would have otherwise taken.
The initial access procedures were clear and user-friendly.
The initial information provided about my online class met my start up needs.
The initial Online welcome letters and CD met my start up needs.
The level of frustration with online learning was what I expected.
The online courses are academically and intellectually challenging.
The online support tools (FAQ, Ask a Question, Live Online Chat) make accessing help easy.
The Online Technical Support provided to students at the college is accurate and helpful to me.
The Online website provides helpful information.
The orientation I attended on distance learning was adequate.
The orientation I attended on using Desire2Learn (D2L) was adequate.
The university provides the online resources I need to be successful as an online learner.
The welcome letter and online quick reference from the college met my start-up needs.
The welcome postcard had information to help me prepare for online or blended online & campus-based courses.
There is consistency in the quality of instruction from one online course to another.
There was appropriate use of multimedia and a variety of content formats used.
Useful information is available in the college's public website about online programs and services to students.
You would take this course again in the online delivery format.

MnSCU PSOL Questions Home

Anonymous — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 11:49:00 CST

Please add your information below in the first open table. (Click the EasyEdit button)

School: Lake Superior College	Name: Barry Dahl
Enter statement text below, one statement per line.	Importance scores:
1. Logging-in (managing usernames and passwords) for various services across the campus is easy and consistent. (2006)	1. 6.52
2. My academic advisor is knowledgeable about my program requirements. (2008)	2. 6.47
3. LSC consistently enforces the policies on academic dishonesty (plagiarism/cheating) in online courses (2008)	3. 6.39
4. The online courses are intellectually challenging. (2005)	4. 6.35
5. The LSC Virtual Campus Help Desk responds in a timely manner. (2005)	5. 6.25
6. The LSC Virtual Campus Help Desk responds with useful information and solutions. (2006)	6. 6.23
7. I am aware of the face-to-face, email, and telephone support available to me in the LSC Virtual Campus Center. (2006)	7. 6.15
8. Useful information is available in the LSC public website about online programs and services to students. (2006)	8. 6.12

Next School - Table 2

School: Normandale CC	Name: Michael Berndt
Enter statement text below, one statement per line.	Importance scores:
1. Instructions for getting started with online courses in the Online Course User's Guide are clear and accurate. (2008)	1. 6.47
2. Suggestions for learning effectively in an online course are provided to help me succeed. (2008)	2. 6.35
3. Instructors use a variety of tools and activities to help me learn. (2008)	3. 6.4
4. Courses are organized so I can easily find what I need. (2008).	4. 6.67
5. Online instructors care about my success in their classes. (2008)	5. 6.61
6.	6.
7.	7.
8.	8.

Next School - Table 3

School: Minnesota State College - Southeast Technical	Name: Linda Kingston
Enter statement text below, one statement per line.	Importance scores:
1. The orientation I attended on using Desire2Learn (D2L) was adequate.	1. 6.22
2. Enough assistance on how to get started in distance education is available to me at my campus.	2. 6.20
3. I was fully prepared to take an online course.	3. 6.33
4. I can find the information I need on the Minnesota State College - Southeast Technical website	4. 6.48
5. Support services such as counseling, writing cneter, tutoring, and bookstore are available online	5. 6.18
6.	6.
7.	7.
8.	8.

Next School - Table 4

School: Ridgewater College	Name: Mary Myers
Enter statement text below, one statement per line.	Importance scores:
1. There is consistency in the quality of instruction from one online course to another. (2007)	1. 6.38
2. I am aware of the face-to-face, e-mail, and telephone support available to me in my online classes. (2007)	2. 6.31
3. Ridgewater College provides a variety of online course offerings that are of interest to me. (2007)	3. 6.29
4. If Ridgewater College offered more online courses, I would take them. (2007)	4. 6.22
5. Online interaction provides a sense of being connected with other students in my online courses. (2007)	5. 5.79
6.	6.
7.	7.
8.	8.

Next School - Table 5

School: Central Lakes College	Name: Heidi Purdy/Michael Amick
Enter statement text below, one statement per line.	Importance scores:
1. The initial information provided about my online class met my start up needs. (2008)	1. 6.50
2. Useful information is available in the Central Lakes College’s public website about online programs and services to students. (2008)	2. 6.40
3. The Central Lakes College Help Desk responds in a timely manner and provides useful information and solutions. (2008)	3. 6.27
4.	4.
5.	5.
6.	6.
7.	7.
8.	8.

Next School - Table 6

School: Metropolitan State University	Name: Lucy Maghrak, Sarah Lindfors
Enter statement text below, one statement per line.	Importance scores:
1. Online general education and liberal studies (GELS) courses are available when it’s my time to register.	1. 2008: 6.42 2007: 6.45 2006: 6.40
2. Online courses in my major/program are available when it’s my time to register.	2. 2008: 6.67 2007: 6.70 2006: 6.64
3. Course websites include a variety of materials or activities to help students learn the course content.	3. 2008: 6.40 2007: 6.38 2006: 6.38
4. Online courses are academically and intellectually challenging.	4. 2008: 6.48 2007: 6.45 2006: 6.39
5.	5.
6.	6.
7.	7.
8.	8.

Next School - Table 7

School: North Hennepin Community College	Name:
Enter statement text below, one statement per line.	Importance scores:
1. The online demonstration materials and tutorials available during the login process prior to my participation in online courses were useful to me.	1. 6.48
2. The design of my online courses was clear and helped me to successfully complete the courses.	2. 6.22
3. Online discussions were valuable to my learning in the online environment.	3. 6.32
4. The availability of audio, video and other interactive materials enhanced my learning on the online environment.	4. 6.55
5. Online courses are an important factor in my ability to continue my education	5. 6.39
6.	6.
7.	7.
8.	8.

Next School - Table 8

School:St. Cloud State University	Name:Michael Evans
Enter statement text below, one statement per line.	Importance scores:
1.Taking an online course allowed me to stay on track with my educational goals	1.6.44
2.I rely on the Center for Continuing Studies to provide online student support services.	2.5.79
3.The flexibility of online courses allows me to take more credits than I would have otherwise taken.	3.6.11
4.The online courses are academically and intellectually challenging.	4.6.22
5.Online courses provide a variety of materials or activities to help students learn the course content.	5.6.23
6.The university provides the online resources I need to be successful as an online learner.	6.6.34
7.	7.
8.	8.

Next School - Table 9

School:	Name:
Enter statement text below, one statement per line.	Importance scores:
1.	1.
2.	2.
3.	3.
4.	4.
5.	5.
6.	6.
7.	7.
8.	8.

Next School - Table 10

School:	Name:
Enter statement text below, one statement per line.	Importance scores:
1.	1.
2.	2.
3.	3.
4.	4.
5.	5.
6.	6.
7.	7.
8.	8.