This paper describes two online readiness tools designed to help prospective students make better choices. These tools were developed to address the problem of effective flexible learner transitions into higher and continuing education. They target adult learners engaged in part-time or online/distance education during the initial stages of the study-lifecycle. Enhancing retention and completion rates of this group of life-long learners is a growing concern. After undertaking an audit of the range of institutional tools and supports available from traditional online/distance education providers, a Design-based research methodology was adopted to select, design and develop a total of eight online student readiness tools. The “Am I Ready for Study” and “Do I have Enough Time” tools outlined in this paper were based on a set of guiding principles, which seek to promote self-regulation as a core foundation for student success in the transition to higher education.

1. Prof. Mark Brown, Dr. James Brunton, Dr. Eamon Costello,
Lorraine Delaney, Seamus Fox
National Institute for Digital Learning, Dublin City University
Making Better Choices:
Self-regulative Tools for Flexible
Learner Success

2. About the Project
What we set out to do…
• Enhance success of flexible learners
• Develop eight digital readiness tools –
OERs (CC-BY) to be shared with
programme teams/institutions
• Undertake synthesis of literature
• Undertake an institutional audit
• Peer and flexible learner feedback

3. studentsuccess.ie
@FLSuccess

5. The Toolbox

6. Key Principles
Student
Success
Self
Regulation
PersonalisationCustomisation
Point
of Need
Voice of
Other Learners

7. Self Regulation –
e.g Am I Ready for Study?

8. Am I Ready for Study?

9. Am I Ready for Study?

10. Self Regulation –
e.g How Much Work is it?

11. How Much Work is it?

12. How Much Work is it?

13. Personalisation –
e.g. My First Assignment

14. Voice of Other Learners
- e.g. My Computer Skills

15. Voice of Other Learners
- e.g. How Much Work is it?

16. Voice of Other Learners
- e.g. Who Can I Ask?

17. Voice of Other Learners
- e.g. Study Tips for Me
Study Lfe Cycle (Brown 2014)

18. Point of Need
Study Life Cycle (Brown 2014)

19. Customisation –
https://github.com/studentsuccesstoolbox/StudentSuccessToolbox

20. Get Ready for Success

21. Help us out! IMS Global Learning
Impact Awards
http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/2703275/Learning-Impact-Awards-2016-Public

22. Student Success Toolbox Project Team
Dr James Brunton (DCU), Prof Mark Brown (DCU), Ann Cleary (DKIT), Dr Eamon Costello (DCU),
Lorraine Delaney (DCU), Seamus Fox (DCU), Jennifer Gilligan (IT Sligo), Brian Mulligan (IT Sligo),
Lisa O’Regan (MU), Jamie Ward (DKIT)