Focus and highlights

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Report Focus

This report provides an overview of the LBCC Distance Learning (DL) program in 2005-06 and includes comprehensive data about the course offerings and the students attending the courses. In line with the CCC System Office Multiple Delivery Method initiative (initiative A4, System Office Strategic Plan, January 2006) and LBCC overarching goals for 2005-2010, the school offers DL courses that are equivalent and comparable to their on-campus version. To maintain the quality and integrity of the courses, all LBCC DL courses go through a separate rigorous approval process by the Curriculum Committee.

The LBCC DL program has grown significantly since its inception in Fall 1997. Dedicated faculty in various academic departments and the staff of the Instructional Technology Development Center have teamed up to design and offer 88 individual courses, and established the LBCC DL program as one of the largest programs in the California Community Colleges system. The primary objective of the program is to offers DL courses as an alternative learning mode for students who otherwise could not easily attend courses on campus. This includes single parents or students that are required to stay home with their families, students with inflexible work schedules, students with disabilities, students who work or live far from campus, etc.

The program achievements and challenges are described in detail in various parts of this report. The data included in this report is submitted to the office of Academic Affairs and other areas in the college to support LBCC in its countinuous efforts to offer a reliable alternative mode of learning, responding to students' demand and needs to accomplish their academic and professional goals.

Questions and comments are welcome; please send them to the Director of Instructional Technology and Distance Learning.

Highlights

Courses

267 DL course sections were offered in 2005-06 (up to 124 sections per semester); 9.4% increase from 04-05.
104 unique DL courses were offered in 2005-06; 14.2% increase from 04-05.
167 individual DL courses have been approved by the Curriculum Committee; 19.3% increase from 04-05.
About 10% of all GE required courses in all plans were offered in a DL modality in 2005-06.

Students

7,327 students enrolled in DL courses in 2005-06; 22.7% increase from 2004-05.
63% of the DL students surveyed* indicated that they were unable to attend their course on campus.
87% of the DL students surveyed would like LBCC to offer more DL courses.
64% of the DL students surveyed took their courses to fulfill transfer or AA degree requirements.

97% of the DL students surveyed have computers at home.
17% of the DL students surveyed live 16 miles or farther away from the college.
40% of the DL students surveyed are 31 years old or older.
47% of the DL students surveyed work full-time; 29% work part-time.
10% of the DL students surveyed took their courses because of disability.

(*Data obtained from a total of 803 students who responded to surveys after each term in 2005-06)

Faculty

75 full-time (50) and part-time (25) faculty taught DL courses in 2005-06; an increase of 23% from 2004-05.
87 full- and part-time faculty attended DL related faculty professional development at the FRC.
381 interactive instructional Web activities tailored for needs of DL students were developed by teams of faculty and ITDC staff.

Retention and Success

Highest retention and success rates were avhieved in Summer courses. Retention and success rates in DL courses vary.