Sinclair360

Students appreciate flexibility

For nearly 6,000 students this fall, making trips to a Sinclair Community College campus and learning in a typical classroom setting won’t be a normal part of the day-to-day routine.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of Sinclair’s online-learning program, which began in 1979, with two videotaped courses available for students. Through the years the program has evolved from videotaped, interactive video-conferencing, off-campus, CDROM and print-based courses to the online system it now uses.

“Online learning brings education right to a student’s doorstep,” said Don Smith, manager of online learning programs and support. “It makes it as easy as possible for students to get involved and be engaged in their learning processes. Online learning is great for removing the barriers that can keep students from finishing – or even beginning – their degrees.”

Online-learning courses are developed by faculty and scheduled by the various academic departments at Sinclair. The office of online learning and instructional support coordinates the training for faculty and students, and the program sees an annual growth of 25 to 30 percent. “A lot of our growth from year to year depends on the student needs at that time,” said Nancy Thibeault, dean of online learning and instructional support for Sinclair.

“Flexibility is a huge, defining part of why our students take online-learning courses. For single parents trying to coordinate childcare or a student who doesn’t have the time or money to commute to Sinclair’s campus several times a week, online learning is a great alternative.”

Some students also find online-learning programs to be a better educational experience than what they’ve found in a typical classroom setting. “In traditional classes you get to see your instructor once a week,” Smith said. “With online classes you can interact every day through e-mail and discussion forums.”

“Students can skip over what they already know, but there is definitely a lot of information to read through and learn,” Thibeault added. “A lot of it just depends on the student’s learning style. Many students feel that they have more of a voice with online learning, and sometimes there is better communication.”

Of the nearly 6,000 students enrolled in online learning this quarter, almost 60 percent combine their online-learning classes with traditional classes. For Renee Hensley, the combination of traditional and online courses has been essential to her progression in the Dental Hygiene program.

“With five children and a changing work schedule, I count on the online classes to allow me to work at my own pace, while still learning a lot and progressing toward my degree. I try to work ahead in my classes in case something changes with my schedule or with my children. In fact, I’m two weeks ahead in most of my classes right now,” Hensley said. “Without the flexibility of online classes, I wouldn’t be able to find the time to manage work, my children and my course work.”

For some students used to more traditional learning settings, online learning can seem like a daunting task; however, a “How to Succeed Online” course is available to all students and staff members at Sinclair. Through the My Sinclair portal, students can sign up for the course free of charge to learn what the online environment looks like and what to expect. The course also offers tips for time management and an introduction to the course-management system, to demonstrate how instructors manage course assignments and interaction with students.

As Sinclair continues to meet the evolving needs of the Miami Valley, online learning will serve as an integral part of delivering high-quality, state-of-the-art programs to our students. For more information about online learning, visit sinclair.edu/distance.

Online learning by the numbers

• 5,985 students enrolled for fall quarter 2009
• 25–30% annual growth
• 68% female, 32% male
• Most between the ages of 25 and 35, with some college completed, and currently working either out of the home or as a stay-at-home parent
• Students taking classes from as far away as Japan, China and the Middle East
• Many U.S. citizens who are out of the country or performing civil service
• 60% of online students couple their online classes with traditional course work

By Meghann Heft