Instructional Connections helps your online programs succeed by assisting your staff and enhancing student success and retention with online Academic Coaches. But what is an ‘online academic coach’ and what are the benefits and services they provide to your faculty, students, online programs, and University as a whole?
Let’s start off with a little background, because we believe a strong foundation leads to success!
“Instructional Connections provides Online Academic Coaches (AKA “Teaching Assistants”, “Course Assistants” or “Instructional Associates”), who directly support the Faculty of Record within the online asynchronous courses.”
Our online Academic Coaches can assist faculty of record of the course with the grading of assignments, managing discussion threads, answering emails, and handling other day-to-day issues. This frees up your faculty to focus on the bigger picture – the success of the class!
The specific assistance that each online Academic Coach provides is based on the directions given by University faculty. This allows each online academic coach to support in the most efficient and relevant way for each unique, online course.
Benefits of an Online Academic Coach
Our Academic Coaching Model adds a human touch to the online environment, encouraging students to learn and keep up with the demands of online course work.
1. IC Online Academic Coaches Are Highly Qualified
One of the major benefits of using an online Academic Coach from Instructional Connections is that each of our coaches has earned a minimum of a master’s degree in the area they assist in from an accredited University.
Our Academic Coaches have both real-world experience in the area of study of the online class and hold a graduate or higher degree in that area. This ensures that your online Academic Coach is able to truly contribute and help – having the background and knowledge necessary – in addition to the time and collaboration.
Most students view their online academic coach as a peer and respect the fact that their coach works in the same field they are looking to join. In fact, on average, IC online academic coaches have 14 years of experience in their field!
2. Our Online Academic Coaches Are Always Available
We employ over 4,000 online Academic Coaches across various subject areas. We also place, manage, supervise, and pay the Academic Coaches in support of University faculty, making the addition of an academic coach smooth and effective.
Your specific online Academic Coach will answer and respond to all inquiries and emails within 24 hours, 7 days a week during the course. So, your students have the information they need, and their questions acknowledged promptly. A swift reply will always be supplied, even if it is just to let the student know that they will have to research the answer or consult with the faculty.
3. Our Online Academic Coaches Are Flexible
When we begin the process of matching an online Academic Coach to a new program or institution, we learn of the academic credential requirements. We then discuss what the needs of the specific discipline or University are relative to instructional support and other missions. We encourage the class faculty to decide and communicate what specific needs they have and what the duties of the online Academic Coach will be.
Some Academic Coaches mainly monitor discussion forums and answer emails, others facilitate discussions and grade assignments as directed by the faculty of record, while still others may do all of the above! This flexibility allows the online Academic Coach to meet what the faculty needs, not offer a one-size-fits-all for every course.
With the wealth of online courses being offered from different schools, with different faculty, it is important to Instructional Connections that we provide the services needed for each through flexibility, communication, and efficient use of time.
Instructional Connections Online Academic Coaches Offer Support for Your Faculty & Online Courses
We provide continual support to each online course from end to end.
If you are looking to expand your online course offerings or if enrollment is creating a need for additional support, contact Instructional Connections and learn more about our online academic coaches, our services, benefits, and more.
