Social Online Universal Learning (SOUL): A New Model for Supporting Students

In 2013, Bay Path University launched The American Women’s College (TAWC) to deploy a revolutionary model, called Social Online Universal Learning (SOUL), for delivering online accelerated baccalaureate degree programs exclusively for adult women, the first of its kind in the nation.  The SOUL model was designed to increase degree completion more affordably and in a shorter amount of time through a constellation of evidence-based practices and wraparound supports aimed at improving student learning in a flexible, personalized online learning environment, powered by learning analytics and predictive modelling.

As a strategic priority, the development of SOUL was undertaken with a multi-year investment by the University’s Board of Trustees, with grant support through a 4-year $3.5 million grant awarded in 2014 from the U.S. Department of Education, Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE), ‘First in the World’ program.  A centralized course management model is a feature of SOUL whereby course development is undertaken by adjunct and full-time faculty Subject Matter Experts working closely with full-time academic program directors and instructional designers, and adjunct faculty are hired as instructors.  A robust Adjunct Faculty Support and Development Plan, delivered through online training modules with faculty mentorship, equips adjunct faculty to deliver best practices in online instruction and student support and to utilize the full potential of SOUL’s adaptive learning and data analytics.

The SOUL model is designed to address higher education’s “iron triangle” – quality, affordability, and access. The model’s theory of action posits that adjunct faculty will be best positioned to contribute to institutional priorities aligned with higher education’s overall mission, and to directly and profoundly impact the success of adult learners.  We value faculty professional development and recognize its impact on the delivery of high quality courses which results in better student learning outcomes.  To support these initiatives, a dedicated Faculty Professional Development Committee was established with the mission of supporting non-tenured faculty.

What is SOUL?

At the heart of what we developed is Social Online Universal Learning (SOUL), a collection of best practices for supporting non-traditional students.  We believe these practices are among the best supports for students of all ages and academic backgrounds:

• an innovative adaptive learning platform that adjusts to personal needs of each student
• data and learning analytics to empower students, faculty, and staff
• academic advisors, virtual learning communities and other wraparound services

Through SOUL, we aim to improve degree completion, increase flexibility, and make college more affordable, especially for low-income and underrepresented populations whom we serve.  Among Bay Path University undergraduates, almost half are Pell-grant eligible and about two-thirds are first generation college goers.

As a faculty member, you play a central role in carrying out the SOUL model. You will:

• Engage with data and technology to focus your instructional decisions to improve student achievement
• Encourage strong community in your classroom to increase student engagement
• Identify the other services available to your students and engage those services to support student engagement and success

The Components of SOUL

There are six elements of SOUL including accelerated studies, student orientation to TAWC, wraparound support, adaptive learning, communities, and faculty orientation and development. Each of these elements is meant to contribute to a data-driven model of higher education that encourages higher levels of engagement, achievement, persistence, and graduation.

SOUL Connect: Orientation to Our Culture

Students’ online orientation functions as an “on-ramp” for students to join our customized learning environment. Students learn about the various components of SOUL, as well as how to access the supports necessary to persist in their studies. For women who lack confidence, experience, and/or prior success in a college environment, New Student Orientation encourages, empowers, and supports them as they begin their educational journey online and at an accelerated pace.

Accelerated Degree Track

We deliver courses in a 6-week accelerated format, enabling women to graduate in under four years. Students can complete up to 12 courses each year (2 courses in each of our six sessions). Many of our students bring transfer credits and complete their degrees in well under four years.

SOUL KP: Adaptive Learning Platform

While online learning offers many advantages to our students, the traditional delivery of content in a one-size-fits-all format can be limiting and frustrating for many students. They may feel disconnected or maybe even a little lost, asking questions like “…am I studying the right content?” or “…am I where I need to be this week?”

To help address some of these anxieties, we created KnowledgePath (KP) to individualize the learning experience. KP delivers curricular content to students based on their preferred learning style(s), pace, and prior knowledge. This is done in a few ways.  Achieving mastery on a pre-test taken at the start of each new KP assignment allows students to skip to more advanced activities within the assignment. The KP system also learns what type of activities – text, video, audio, interactive exercise – best suits each student’s preference and ability level. Over time, the student receives activity types that align with her needs. A struggling student, meanwhile, can select an alternative representation of the same content and practice questions a number of times until she achieves mastery. Below is a screenshot of a learning map, the framework of a KnowledgePath assignment.

SOUL Wraparound Support

Intensive, integrated wraparound academic support and advising is provided by professional advisors and faculty like you. Data from our learning systems inform the delivery of proactive and high-touch interventions from you and our academic advisors. At other times, our systems will automatically create an intervention case for a student if she meets certain criteria that are cause for concern. We also have created a Faculty Early Alert tool and added it to your course. You will use the alert function to communicate with our academic advisors when a student is struggling or if she is not engaging in the course. All of these intervention types are meant to be timed to support students who have very different levels of preparation, prior education, and experiences, all while engaging in an accelerated course. This combination of human and technology intervention sets SOUL apart from other support models.

SOUL Communities

An important component of SOUL is establishing peer networks to build stronger connections among our learners. Students have the option of joining a Facebook group where they can share their experiences with one another. This group is monitored by academic advisors, but it is ultimately run by, and for, students. We also provide spaces within the Canvas learning management system that serve as major-specific communities. Students interact with their program director and other staff members to learn about their field of study, to network, and to engage in career preparation opportunities.

SOUL for Educators

SOUL Connect for Educators is your orientation to TAWC and SOUL. All of our faculty members complete this experience to learn about our unique educational model, our practices, and our student population. The aim is to ensure that you are empowered to be our partner in supporting students through their courses and ultimately to degree attainment. Specific topics covered include overviews of TAWC and SOUL, faculty competencies, tools for supporting students, and institutional policies and procedures. Faculty can use this as a resource throughout their tenure since we leave it published for ongoing access.