Supporting Working Students in Compressed Summer Courses: A Case Study of Alamo Colleges District

Introduction: The Evolving Landscape of Summer Education

Two decades ago, summer at most colleges was a quiet time, a pause before the bustling fall semester. Today, however, the rise of online education has transformed the summer term into a vital period for academic advancement, especially for working students. This shift is vividly illustrated by the Alamo Colleges District in San Antonio, which now offers over 1,300 online courses during the summer, each compressed into short, intensive sessions lasting eight, five, or even three weeks.

The Challenge: Balancing Work, School, and Life

The condensed nature of these courses demands significant weekly time commitments from students. This presents a unique challenge, particularly for the “non-traditional” students who make up a substantial portion of the District’s enrollment. As Cesar Hernandez, Enterprise Instructional Technology Specialist at Alamo Colleges District, notes, “Our students have a lot of responsibilities to juggle—work, school, and family. Many are adults returning to education to pivot careers or learn new skills, so they have a lot on their plates beyond just academics.”

This balancing act is not just a logistical challenge; it also raises concerns about academic integrity, particularly in an online learning environment.

The Solution: Respondus Monitor and LockDown Browser

Nearly ten years ago, Alamo Colleges began utilizing LockDown Browser, a custom browser that prevents cheating during online exams. Initially, this tool was ideal for proctored environments like classrooms and testing centers. However, as the District’s online program grew, so did the need for a more scalable solution for unproctored, remote exams.

In 2016, the District adopted Respondus Monitor, an automated proctoring solution that works in tandem with LockDown Browser. Respondus Monitor uses webcams to record students during online exams, flagging any suspicious behavior for review by instructors. This combination of tools has proven to be both user-friendly and effective. Hernandez explains, “Instructors find it straightforward to set up and customize for exams, and students quickly adapt to using these tools after the first try, which is crucial because they’re used in many other courses across campus.”

Financial and Logistical Benefits

One of the significant advantages of Respondus Monitor is that it supports the District’s commitment to accessibility and affordability. With an unlimited license for the tool, students can take exams from the comfort of their homes using a Mac, PC, iPad, or Chromebook, without incurring additional costs. This flexibility is especially important during the summer when students may need to take multiple exams in a short period.

“Respondus Monitor provides incredible flexibility,” says Hernandez. “Students can take tests from home, which saves them time and money, and the tools integrate seamlessly with our Learning Management System, enhancing the overall user experience.”

Scalability and Effectiveness

The scalability of Respondus Monitor has been a game-changer for Alamo Colleges. In just one summer, students across the District completed over 22,400 exam sessions using the tool. Most instructors prefer to use Respondus Monitor for frequent, smaller assessments throughout the course, which aligns well with the compressed nature of summer classes.

For a tool to be widely adopted and effective, it must be reliable and easy to use. “Respondus makes it easy for us,” Hernandez confirms. “The tools are dependable, the built-in chat for student support is invaluable, and the free training webinars for faculty, along with a comprehensive Knowledge Base, ensure that both instructors and students can navigate the system with confidence. Anytime we’ve needed assistance, the support team has been incredibly responsive.”

Conclusion: A Model for Supporting Working Students

The Alamo Colleges District’s experience demonstrates how innovative technology solutions like Respondus Monitor and LockDown Browser can effectively support working students in intensive, compressed courses. By offering flexible, cost-effective, and user-friendly tools, the District not only upholds academic integrity but also empowers its diverse student body to succeed, regardless of their circumstances.