A survey of college students who use online services gives Central Lakes College good marks.
The 2008 Priorities Survey of Online Learners at CLC, conducted by the Noel-Levitz research firm of Iowa City, gave students a chance to assess how well the college is meeting their needs. The students' feedback enables the school to integrate components to meet demand.
Michael Amick, director of online learning, said the survey is important because online courses are growing by 100 percent every two years.
"Twenty colleges across the state participated in the survey," Amick said in a news release. "This is our third year of inclusion. It fosters improvement in every service, every department . . . all areas of the college where so much more can and is being offered online."
The college has been able to reduce "the performance gap," Amick said, which is a measurement of effectiveness in keeping pace with the needs of students who can participate in CLC classes from anywhere that has Internet access.
"Students told us we're improving, and we promise to continue to improve," Amick said. "When students tell us things we need to do, we make use of their suggestions."
As a "thank you" the college randomly drew the names of three survey respondents for $20 gift certificates at the college bookstore.
Among the elements cited as improvements in the online services at CLC:
- Instructors are responsive to student needs and provide timely feedback.
- The initial information about my online class met start- up needs.
- The bookstore provides timely service to students.
- Timely information on financial aid is available.
When the 2008-09 academic year starts Aug. 25, CLC will offer about 100 online courses.
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