Thanks to DI - I'm hosting a roundtable discussion at the HLC Conference

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Shawn Ambrose, Feb 5, 2015.

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  1. Shawn Ambrose

    Shawn Ambrose New Member

    Many years ago - I stumbled upon DI. I've learned quite a few things along the way. I received support for finishing my Ph.D. studies with Capella, learned a few things about inexpensive community college options; and learned about Credit by Examination, ALEKS, ACE etc.

    My teaching duties at the University of Saint Francis include academic advising for undergraduates - and as the Department Chair, I get some "sticky" situations that need creative solutions. I have used CLEP, DSST, and ALEKS to help students maintain satisfactory progress. While satisfactory progress is important in higher education, it's more so in Indiana. State aid is prorated if you earn 24 - 29 credit hours in an academic year (typically August - July), and in the case of Indiana's 21st Century Scholar Program, those students MUST complete 30 hours each academic year, or they lose their 21st Century Scholar money for the following school year. Since Federal and State Financial Aid typically does not cover summer term, I've advised students and faculty about CLEP, DSST, and ALEKS to get them back on track. Since there has been some success with this (and if one student is helped - it's worth it), I decided to write a proposal for an informal roundtable discussion at the Higher Learning Commission Annual Conference.

    I received word today that my proposal has been accepted. Obviously, a great deal of knowledge has come from many of you on this board. Thanks to everyone who has shared their knowledge on DI - no matter what it is. I am indebted to all of you for your help and assistance!

    Shawn
     
  2. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    Congratulations Shawn! Does this mean we can set up a DI kiosk outside the conference?:wink:
     
  3. Shawn Ambrose

    Shawn Ambrose New Member

    Sure :) You're the 1st volunteer!

    Shawn
     
  4. Anthony Pina

    Anthony Pina Active Member

    Congratulations Shawn!

    Presenting at conferences is a wonderful way to both give and get ideas and experience. While I like doing "traditional" concurrent sessions at conferences, I enjoy doing roundtable presentations, as they are much more interactive and intimate, hwere you can bounce ideas off each other.

    What is the title of your roundtable?
     
  5. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

    WOW! Whose the big man on campus now? Congratulations! Let us know how it goes :)
    I've heard rumors that the round table, the book, the full-length feature film and the live action Broadway production will be titled Life of DI with a tagline of "How Maniac Craniac Helped Me to Grow Intellectually, Taught Me How to Laugh and Gave My Life Purpose"
    :reporter:
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 10, 2015
  6. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    So . . . it's a science fiction story?:yup: Maybe I should do a Sherry Jackson cosplay thing at the DI kiosk.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 10, 2015
  7. Shawn Ambrose

    Shawn Ambrose New Member

    Tony,

    The name of the Roundtable is "Credit by Examination and Non-Traditional Credit for Student Success." Indiana Grant Funding is tied to credits earned. Let me give you an example.

    Student A (a current freshman) completes the FAFSA and is awarded an Indiana State Grant for $6,900 for academic year 2015-16. The grant is based on the student completing 30 - 36 semester hours in an academic year. If the student only completes 24 - 29 hours, the grant is reduced to $6,300. On the other hand, if the student completed at least 39 hours by the end of the 1st year, the student gets a $1,300 accelerated bonus grant.

    If a student is "short" we look at possible CLEP exams to get them to 30 hours. If a student is close to 36 hours, we look at CLEP to push them to 39 hours. My school block rates tuition for 12 -18 hours/semester.

    My roundtable will discuss how we've used this.

    Shawn
     
  8. Anthony Pina

    Anthony Pina Active Member

    Excellent topic for a presentation. I hope that you get a good group of attendees. Since I am a "neighbor" of yours to the south (Kentucky), I am aware of the Indiana State Grant, but I was not aware of this particular aspect of it. For courses without corresponding CLEP or DSST exams, can students also achieve credit by challenging the courses via a PLA portfolio?
     
  9. Shawn Ambrose

    Shawn Ambrose New Member

    PLA would work also, and for a non-traditional student, PLA makes a lot of sense.

    Shawn
     

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