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American Public University System Culture Shock and Distance Education:

American Public University System Culture Shock and Distance Education: The W-Curve in Online Learning Terry Grant, Vice President, Enrollment Management & Student Support, APUS Jason Smith, Director of Undergraduate Admissions & Lifelong Learning, APUS Tuesday, April 17 th , 2012. Agenda.

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American Public University System Culture Shock and Distance Education:

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  1. American Public University System Culture Shock and Distance Education: The W-Curve in Online Learning Terry Grant, Vice President, Enrollment Management & Student Support, APUS Jason Smith, Director of Undergraduate Admissions & Lifelong Learning, APUS Tuesday, April 17th, 2012

  2. Agenda • APUS – Who we are • U-Curve – A Brief History • W-Curve • As it pertains to traditional students • As it pertains to the distance learner • Implications • Student Support • Academics • Q&A

  3. Who We Are • Two institutions, American Public University and American Military University • More than 100,000 distance learners studying online from 50 states and more than 100 countries • More than 150 degree and certificate programs • A tight-knit community of professors, staff, and students • Classes start on a monthly basis, unlike traditional universities. Courses start on the first Monday of every month. • Most classes are taught in both an 8-week or a 16-week format

  4. Our Students • Student Count: 100,000+ • Class Distribution: 74% Undergraduate; 26% Graduate • Adult Learners: Most are working adults; Median Age 31 years • Military Status: 60% active duty, from all branches of service. 40% civilian and public safety • Prior Learning/ Experience: Most students have transfer credit from prior learning, other university coursework, or military experience; 94% transfer students • More than 40% of our graduates return to APUS for a second degree.

  5. What is Culture Shock? • Culture Shock is generally known as a feeling of discomfort or disorientation that a person may feel when experiencing an unfamiliar way of life. • Most of us will experience this at one point in our lifetime….

  6. Lysgaard’s U-Curve Theory of Adjustment Honeymoon Adjustment Recovery Culture Shock Lindner, 2011

  7. Gullahorn (1963) – Study Abroad • An extension of the U-Curve • Adapted for Study Abroad • Re-Entry Cycle University of Connecticut, 2011

  8. W-Curve Transition Model Acceptance and Integration Honeymoon Initial Adjustment Culture Shock Mental Isolation University of Minnesota Duluth, 2012

  9. Zeller and Mosier (1993) – First-Year Students • An extension of Gullahorn’s W-Curve • Adapted for first-year college students University of Minnesota Duluth, 2012

  10. W-Curve in Distance Education • Can the W-Curve, which was initially applied to first-year college students in traditional campus settings, be applied to the experiences of students new to distance education? • We believe it can!

  11. Distance Education W-Curve Stages Honeymoon Acceptance & Integration • What does the journey look like for distance learners at each stage? Initial Adjustment Culture Shock Mental Isolation

  12. Honeymoon and Culture Shock • Honeymoon • Admission and program selection • New beginning • Shared excitement • Sense of urgency • Culture Shock • Fear of failure • Unfamiliar structure • Learning a new “virtual” language • Sense of being alone

  13. Initial Adjustment & Mental Isolation • Initial Adjustment • Developing comfort • Technical • Relationships • Academic • Doubt still exists • May join virtual communities • Mental Isolation • Life happens • Interruptions • Changes in work/life • Academic challenges • Lack of social interaction

  14. Acceptance and Integration • Acceptance and Integration • Finally connect to students, faculty and staff • Integrated into the University culture • Sense of achievement • Have a clear goal in mind • Can visualize graduation and degree completion

  15. Easing the W-Curve Transitions … Student Support Academics Hire faculty suited to online teaching Faculty who are V.O.C.A.L Set and maintain high standards for student/faculty communication Check your program’s vital signs regularly Manage expectations Evaluate! • Know your students • Hire good communicators • Create “hoopless” processes • Schedule routine , purposeful communications • Be proactive • Manage expectations from the beginning • Evaluate!

  16. Key Points • Culture shock happens • Distance Learning is not for all students • Ups and downs occur throughout the student lifecycle • Understand your student population • Manage expectations • Student success is everybody’s business

  17. Questions

  18. References Lidner, M. (2011, April 7). Lysgaard’s U-Curve of Cultural Adjustment. Message posted to http://prezi.com/p88-eismndlg/lysgaards-u-curve-of- cultural-adjustment/ University of Connecticut Institute for Student Success. (2011). First year experience instructor manual. Retrieved March 7, 2012, from http://www.fye.uconn.edu/files/instr_manual_f11.pdf University of Minnesota Duluth. (2012). First year experience & students in transition. Retrieved March 7, 2012, from http://www.d.umn.edu/fye /freshmen/transition/development/w_curve.htm

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