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First, we understand what each college or university needs relative to instructional support needs. We strive to understand all missions that each school desires through in-depth meetings.
Second, we recruit, screen, pre-qualify and present Academic Coach candidates (AKA Virtual Teaching Assistants or Virtual TAs). Each candidate has been vetted and is available in our pool for approval by university partners.
Next, we assign Academic Coaches or Virtual Teaching Assistants and other support staff to courses and programs. We understand and listen to university, college, and even course-specific needs for distance learning. We understand the hurdles and benefits of online programs and distance learning. This is why we work hard to help you manage your distance learning courses for optimal student success.
Then, we train candidates on learning management systems used by our university partners and orient them into courses and your distance learning programs. Additionally, we are happy to work closely with faculty on the best practices of how to work with and use their Virtual Teaching Assistants. We want our partners to understand our model, and us to understand the completion of course objectives and outcomes.
After that, we independently contract, manage, and pay our Academic Coaches or Virtual TAs. We handle all organization of staffing provided to fulfill the service needs on behalf of university partners. This eliminates universities from adding additional human resources and payroll overhead.
Finally, we ensure accountability by having supportive leadership staff who work directly with the university’s administration and faculty. This ensures that we meet the faculty member’s expectations, rubric, and goals. We strive to meet expectations through our services and our Virtual Teaching Assistants.
Additionally, we provide continual support to each distance learning course where Academic Coaches (AKA Virtual TAs), are requested and used. From start to finish – we are here throughout the semester for our university partners.
Each IC Academic Coach (AKA Virtual TA) is a highly qualified, experienced professional in the appropriate academic discipline. Plus, each has earned at least a Master’s or Doctoral degree from an accredited university. On average, IC Academic Coaches have 14 years of industry experience in their field and a minimum of a Master’s degree.
Therefore, each Virtual TA possesses the academic credentials and experience to become an immediate asset to the faculty and students. Our Virtual TAs are tremendous resources to students in their related fields. Additionally, we align with your goals completely, listening to your institutional priorities. Therefore, our Virtual Teaching Assistants follow your leadership and the direction of faculty,
Virtual Teaching Assistants assist with grading, management of discussion threads, approved announcements, and day-to-day tasks. Additional responsibilities may include course issues related to distance learning. This then frees your faculty member of record to focus on engagement, course delivery and student outcomes.
Each institution identifies the academic credentials and/or experience required for their program and courses. Based on this information, IC employs a variety of recruitment strategies, reviewing each applicant thoroughly for a match to the qualifications to each program. We then invite every Academic Coach (AKA Virtual TA) potential match applicant to participate in our pre-employment screening process.
During our pre-employment screening process, the Academic Coach applicant commits to a 4-6 hour online pre-employment screening session. This covers topics like the roles and expectations of an Academic Coach, basic principles and best practices of effective distance learning and working with a variety of Learning Management Systems.
After our advanced screening process, we perform a standard criminal background check on all potential candidates. Once a candidate successfully passes these steps, they are contracted and added to our pool of Academic Coaches (AKA Virtual TAs) ready and available for an assignment at one of our partner universities.
Academic Coaches (AKA Virtual TAs) focus on enhancing student success and retention in distance learning and online programs. In many graduate programs, we’ve seen retention as high as 80% or more.
Our Academic Coaching Model adds a human touch to the distance learning environment, encouraging students to learn and persist with the demands of course work. Students view their Academic Coaches (AKA Virtual Teaching Assistant) as a peer and respect the fact that their Academic Coach experience in the same field students desire to join.
As your distance learning and online academic programs begin to mature and enrollments grow, Instructional Connections adds additional leadership personnel to serve as a point of contact between the faculty and other Academic Coaches for course management and communication.
Each faculty member of record that teaches an online course provides clear expectations to their approved and assigned Academic Coach (AKA Virtual TA). Every area of support from an Academic Coach can be decided by the faculty and may vary from course to course depending on the faculty’s expectations.
This level of flexibility allows faculty to be in complete control of online program management. Not surprisingly, many faculty members love the support they receive from their Virtual Teaching Assistant. Most faculty continually think of new and better methods to help educate students through distance learning.
Programmatic and institutional accreditation, program guidelines, and policies are sacrosanct. Instructional Connections’ quality assurance program care about matching our partners’ needs. Our commitment is consistent with the university’s in providing the highest levels of education to each and every student.
At the end of each online or distance learning course, we solicit feedback regarding the Academic Coaches’ work to improve the course experience. In the rare event that a problem arises with any Academic Coach, IC immediately investigates and takes action. We do all things in accordance with faculty and university concerns.
P.O. Box 223696,
Dallas, Texas 75222-3696