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Research

Faculty Perceptions of Academic Coaches in Higher Education

Online access to higher education has risen drastically over the past decade, allowing many students worldwide the ability to access educational opportunities. This method of delivering courses online has given students great flexibility in learning and pursuing degrees that they may not have been able to complete previously in a traditional classroom model. Despite the positive aspects of online learning, there are also challenges to this modality. One of educators’ most significant challenges is engaging students in online learning environments. The implementation and assistance of Instructional Connections’ academic coaches provide an extra layer of support to help guide students in their classes and help aid student retention and success. Additionally, the help academic coaches provide allows the instructor of record more time to focus on the course and student outcomes.

https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/txdla_jdl/vol5/iss1/4 

TxDLA Journal of Digital Learning. Volume 5 (2024) A Leap to the Future.

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Research

White Paper – Students’ Perceptions of Academic Coaches in the Online RN to BSN Program

Instructional Connections’ Academic Coaches play a crucial role in the online RN to BSN program by providing prompt feedback, overseeing discussion boards, assisting with grading, and notifying faculty about students who may need extra support. Their involvement has the potential to improve program completion rates, which is essential for addressing the nursing shortage. Students have expressed positive perceptions of the support provided by Academic Coaches, viewing them as valuable resources in their online learning journey.

IC White Paper – Student Perceptions by CSU Research Grant 2022-2023

Reference:

Grissette, B., Hawkins, A., & Kuck, S. (2023). The effect of collaboration and utilisation of academic coaches in online learning environments. Advances in Online Education: A Peer-Reviewed Journal, 2(2), 160-169.

 

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Research

A study of activities and effective use as perceived by academic coaches in fully online higher education courses.

During Dr. Dan Keast‘s presentation at the Distance Learning Administrator’s Conference in Jekyll Island, GA, he discussed his study of coaches’ perceptions of their efficacy in online courses. Most notably, he found that coaches see themselves as most effective in giving quality feedback and responses to students – a sentiment that rated higher than grading or anything else.  Communication was key.

Title: A study of activities and effective use as perceived by academic coaches in fully online higher education courses.

Summary: The study was designed to investigate the research gap regarding the roles of academic coaches in courses for professors and students, solicit the coaches’ perceptions about the efficacy of their tasks, and gather their suggestions for best utilizing an academic coach. The study revealed that among other traits academic coaches see themselves as most effective in giving quality feedback to students. Academic coaches believe that providing quality feedback leads to increased student success rates.

The presentation can be found on page 53 of the conference proceedings: https://stdlapeus1.blob.core.windows.net/craftcms/proceeding-pdf/DLA-Proceedings-Digital-Cover.pdf

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Research

IC Research Grant Abstracts 2024

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Research

Effective Practices in Using Coaches in Large Online Courses

Tracia Forman and Jessica Sanchez, UTRGV

Presentation given at the Texas Digital Learning Annual Association Conference 2022, Galveston, TX

Increased online enrollment has results in the use of supplementary instructional support to enhance effective course delivery.  Use of an instructional team approach plays an invaluable role in student success.

UTRGV-TxDLA-Presentation-3.23.22[78]

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Research

Academic Coaches And Student Success In Higher Education: A Quantitative Study.

Academic Coaches and Student Success in Higher Education.

Published in the Journal for Distance Education. May 31, 2023.

Nicole C. LetchworthSummer Koltonski & L. Kathleen Sheriff (2023) Academic Coaches and Student Success in Higher Education, American Journal of Distance Education, DOI: 10.1080/08923647.2023.2210491

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/08923647.2023.2210491 

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Research

What motivates an academic coach in an online accelerated course? Using a qualitative approach.

Here is a .pdf of the partial findings of this research that were presented at the North American Management Society virtual conference. The principle investigators are completing their research study and we will supply a full report in Q4 2021.

NAMS 2021 Presentation_Final

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Research

The effect of online academic coaches on supporting graduate students’ performance in intensive online learning environments: a three-course comparison

Dr. Suyoung Park and her colleague Dr. Petra Robinson at Louisiana State University researched the performance levels of graduate students and the support that graduate students receive when they interact with academic coaches in intensive online courses.  They looked at students in three different online courses. Among their findings was the overarching ethos that academic coaches provide an effective framework for student support.

https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/EJTD-10-2020-0144/full/html?skipTracking=true#loginreload

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Research

Determining roles and best practices when using academic coaches in online learning

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette recently had an article published in the Journal of Teaching and Learning in Nursing, entitled “Determining roles and best practices when using Academic Coaches in online learning.” The article acknowledges the continued growth of online learning and identifies the role that academic coaches maintain in an online learning environment, and highlights best practices when using academic coaches in an accelerated online course.

Teaching and Learning in Nursing. Official Journal of the Organization for Associate Degree Nursing.  Volume 15, Issue 4.  In progress (October 2020). This issue is in progress but contains articles that are final and fully citable.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1557308720300482?via%3Dihub

 

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Research

Louisiana State University Shreveport, presents early research findings on academic coaching at international ICONSES Conference

Louisiana State University Shreveport, presents early research findings on academic coaching at international ICONSES Conference. https://www.2019.iconses.net/fulltext/pdf/IConSES050.pdf