Stephen W. Watts
Northcentral University
EL7006-8-2
Online Adult Learning Workshop
 Overview
 Advantages and Challenges of Online
Learning
 Technology Optimization
 Student Orientation
 Instructor Competencies
 Factors Contributing to Meaningful Online
Learning Experiences
Advantages of Online Learning
 Improved learning efficiency
 Learning behavior effects
 Enhanced communication
 Convenience
 Saves time
 Improved learning ability
Challenges of Online Learning
 For the instructor
 Increased time requirements
 Need to pedagogically adapt the course to online
 Teaching “tightly structured courses”
 Differences of non-traditional students
 Finding successful ways to encourage student
interaction
 Using online tools appropriately and proficiently
 Technical difficulties
 Concern for academic integrity of students
Challenges of Online Learning
 For the student
 Feelings of isolation
 Lack of face-to-face communication
 Issues of access or sufficient band-width
 Ill matched presentation to learning style
 Increased time requirements
 Incomprehensible technical jargon
 Student needs to take more responsibility
 Lack of technical experience or efficacy
 Increased need for motivation and self-discipline
Technological Affordances
 Synchronous Technologies
 Better interaction
 Immediate feedback and guidance
 Adaptability of Material and Pacing
 Asynchronous Technologies
 Convenience
 Greater student reflection
 Uninterrupted expression
 Archiving and reuse
Student Orientation
 Student characteristics
 Instructor characteristics
 Institutional quality
 Learning environment quality
 Extrinsic motivation factors
Essential Instructor Competencies
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Encourage contacts between students and faculty
Act like a learning facilitator rather than a professor
Development of a sense of community among participants
Promote collaborative learning
Use best practices to promote participation
Promote reflection
Be clear about course requirements
Give prompt feedback
Emphasize time on task
Encourage students to bring real-life examples into the
online classroom
Factors Contributing to Meaningful
Online Learning Experiences
 Learner – instructor interaction
 Learner – learner collaboration
 Learner – course content interaction
 Learner – learning management system
interaction
Learner – Instructor Interaction
 Provide sufficient scaffolding to encourage the student
 Focus on issues that relate directly to the student
 Introduce collaborative activities
 Give prompt feedback
 Use students name in interactions
 Share personal examples
 Establish teaching presence without domination
 Ensure equitable student attention
Learner – Learner Collaboration
 Small group activities or team projects
 Online discussions – synchronous and
asynchronous
 One on one interactions
 Partnering
Learner – Course Content
Interaction
 Course content is clear
 Course content and activities are relevant
 Course content is easily understood
 Increase interest
Learner – LMS Interaction
 Ensure student understanding of the
learning management system features
 Ensure student efficacy in learning
management system features
 Suggest alternative connection methods as
necessary
Discussion
 Questions or comments?
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