May 2006

Ensuring Student Success with Course Support

White Salmon Valley School District, Sherry Hahn, Technology Director

"As students move on from high school, more and more delivery systems are going to be digital. And so it's important that students have a chance to try an online class and learn how they work," says Sherry Hahn, Technology Director for the White Salmon Valley School District.

Hahn adds that online courses also "provide opportunities, especially to small and rural schools, like ourselves, that we can't offer to students because we don't have the staff to do it."

As a technology director, Hahn is part of the Course Support team at Columbia High School. The Registrar, Teacher/Mentor, and tech support all contribute to student success in online courses at the school.

The course support process in action

Hahn says that the first time a school offers online courses, the process can be "a little clumsy." But once tech support becomes familiar with the course providers and puts a routine in place, it's easy to get students up and running.

Hahn finds that the critical first step is for Registrars to enroll students in online courses when registration opens at the DLC. This means that students should choose their courses before registration opens. (Registration opens in May for summer and fall classes, and in November for spring classes.)

Hahn works closely with the Teacher/Mentor, Marian Udelhofen, and the counseling staff and encourages them to let students know about the online option and promote the classes.

Once students are registered, Udelhofen looks over the course requirements and lets Hahn know if any software needs to be installed.

"When classes open for registration, if we can hit those dates right up front, then we don't have any problems…Not only do we get the kids in the classes they want, but I have time to check the vendor and see what's needed."

A designated DLC class period makes a difference

To ensure student success once online courses start, Columbia High School has a designated DLC class with the Teacher/Mentor in the room. Hahn explains, "We've found that students who don't have someone to talk to when they get stuck on something are less successful. The kids who have been in the classroom with Marian have done very, very well."

Hahn adds that if she or her colleagues ever need help with anything DLC-related, they know that they'll get a speedy response from DLC staff.

"I am constantly commending the DLC for the quality they deliver. Anybody can go to the online course vendors and get a class, but I think the DLC component makes a big difference…I wouldn't bother to try to do this on my own."

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