Planet eCampus

2019, Vol. 2 One of the hallmarks of USG eCampus-supported programs is a clearly defined process for supporting and assisting students toward full engagement and success in eCore and eMajor coursework. eCampus achieves this with the support of the Student Success Team (SST). The SST is comprised of eCampus staff members who, in addition to their primary eCampus role,  are responsible for reaching out to withdrawing students and students identified as at-risk by their professors. The SST reaches out to students in multiple ways for several different reasons: Before the Term Start of Term During the Term Proctored Exam Call Cycles eCore students are required to take at least one proctored exam in order to pass the course. Throughout the semester, eCore students who did not register for or complete their proctored exam are contacted by email, text, and phone. This makes up the largest portion of eCampus SST outreach activities. At-Risk Entries P...

2019, Vol. 1 Proctored exams have increased in numbers along with eCore enrollment growth. Typically, students complete their proctored exams at their home institution's testing center. However, many students test using an online proctoring service. In addition, students may test at other approved locations through the state of Georgia including several technical colleges and Georgia's VECTR Center. Students must take at least one proctored exam in each eCore course in order to be considered for course academic success. USG eCampus' 21 affiliate institutions offer on-site proctored exam services and several operate more than one campus location. The student cost per proctored exam varies between institutions and averages around $25 across all eCore affiliates. Students schedule their exams directly through the learning management system where they can choose an affiliate testing site or other testing options. USG testing sites provide testing windows and time ...

2018, Vol. 3 Georgia has approximately 100,000 active duty military service members and 750,000 veterans combining for about 8.5 percent of the total state population. Military students represent an important eCore student population. These students have outpaced overall eCore enrollment growth for the past three fiscal years.  The majority of the 23 eCore partner institutions had military students taking eCore courses in FY 2018. All 26 of the University System of Georgia colleges and universities provide a dedicated space for military-affiliated students and devote resources to the academic success of this population (University System of Georgia Military Affairs, 2018). Military students include active duty personnel, the National Guard, reserves, and veterans. Active duty military students may have access to Tuition Assistance (TA) through their branch of service. These funds generally cover tuition but not book costs. eCore, with its Open Education Resources, prov...

2018, Vol. 2 Since Spring 2013, implementation of eCore Open Education Resources (OERs), resulted in an estimated cost saving of 10M dollars. OERs improve access to course materials and reduce barriers for students; no book purchase and just-in-time availability (University System of Georgia eCore Factbook, 2017).  OERs influence learning by increasing opportunity and can dramatically impact lives of millions of people around the world, through high quality, locally relevant educational materials (Bliss, Robinson, Hilton, & Wiley, 2013; Cape Town Open Education Declaration, 2007). Bliss et al. (2013) provided the following quotes from college faculty; "I am able to refer to material knowing that all students will have access to the same material." and "The materials were free to my students, which reduced a barrier to their chances for academic success."  Hilton (2016) reviewed 16 OER studies that involved over 46,000 students and concluded that OE...

2018, Vol. 1 Georgia’s dual enrollment non-need based grant has resulted in increased dual credit participation. According to University System of Georgia (USG) enrollment reports, the increase in dual enrollments over the last two years was over 50 percent, representing a 3,500 student gain across the system. These students are earning college credits face-to-face and online. Dual credit eCore students achieved ABC rates at over 90 percent!   2,100 Courses Taken, 90% Earned College Credit Research indicates that students participating in dual credit programs show an increase in college persistence, grade point average, and college graduation (An, 2015; Hoffman, Vargas & Santos, 2009: Hughes 2010). Most USG dual enrolled students attend courses face-to-face at around 88 percent for FY17. There are several reasons why a high school student may require an online option to attend a USG institution. The state of Georgia has over 100 counties that are de...