Academics' News and Notes
One of the most frequently heard comments from new CCNH students is "I'm so happy to make contact with you!" Distance education and self-motivated learning can sometimes feel like an isolating experience, so to hear that comment is not too shocking. It seems students are glad to touch base and make a human connection, and they soon come to learn that there are actually several wizards scurrying about behind the proverbial curtain.
In an effort to shed light on the daily activities of the CCNH Academic Department, one of our wizards has generated statistics to reflect our activity, and two former students turned Faculty Advisors have shared their comments on what it has been like to experience both sides of the curtain.
During the first quarter of 2003 (January, February, March): 9000 paper tests were graded and recorded; . 1175 online testing essays, final exams and projects were graded and recorded; . 2250 student phone calls were handled by faculty advisors; and . 3025 outgoing e-mail messages were sent.
The statistic we most enjoy flaunting is that approximately 50% of all newly enrolled students elect to test online. Available for students enrolled after June 1999 and celebrated for its efficiency, online testing is quickly becoming the most popular way to submit course work!
Christine Picior, N.D., on faculty advising:
Recently, one of my students called with questions about an answer marked wrong on a final exam. He was feverishly looking through his books to qualify his answer. Suddenly, I had this flash of myself back in Georgia, working my N.D. program. I was talking with my faculty advisor and clearly unable to find the page in the book that proved my point about my answer being correct. Deja vu!
Later that day I received another phone call from one of my students. I remember being a student, waking very early in the morning and "hitting the books" before I got ready for work. I remember how important it was for me to get my grades back quickly and to have my faculty advisor return my call as soon as possible, because patience has never been one of my best virtues. I was always so excited when I received a phone call from my faculty advisor. She helped me feel connected with the college. Getting mail from CCNH was also a treat, whether it was receiving grades, notices or the Holistic Times.
I'm still getting up very early in the morning, but now my work is as a faculty advisor at CCNH. I love hearing the excitement in my students' voices when they earn an excellent grade or when they figure out the correct answer to a test question. I'm very honored to help facilitate my students through the process of their course work. I enjoy all the aspects of my work, but most of all I look forward to the personal contact with my students. It is my goal to help each and every one feel personally linked to CCNH.
Terri Schroedermeier, Ph.D., on faculty advising:
Since beginning work at CCNH in November, I have enjoyed telling friends and family about my new job. It is always an interesting conversation after I tell them that I am a Faculty Advisor. "What do you do? Advise faculty about natural health topics?" "No," I begin to explain. "I work with students. I grade papers," and then I am generally interrupted with something like "So are you a teacher?" "Not exactly," I continue, "We're a distance education program so we don't have a campus or traditional classrooms. We provide the coursework. Our students teach themselves." This is a new concept for most people. It was for me when I first enrolled with CCNH.
The college's course material and programs are always under review. They are updated based upon student feedback as well as anticipated need. As a faculty advisor I participate in course revisions and curriculum development, proofread material for technical content and grammatical details, and review books that are under consideration for use in future courses.
The majority of my time as a faculty advisor is spent grading coursework and interacting with students when they have questions. I may receive handwritten questions, calls, or e-mails; it's difficult to predict who will call or when-or what they might need. I do my best to respond within 24 hours; I don't always succeed. I am grateful when they understand that I am committed to helping them learn as much as possible about natural health, but that I do not have all of the answers. I welcome the opportunity to learn from their experiences, and I enjoy hearing how they use and share the information they gain from our material-just as I am excited when I apply what I have learned.
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