scholarly journals Beyond Content: The Value of Instructor-Student Connections in the Online Classroom

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Jean Mandernach ◽  
Sarah Nicole Robertson ◽  
John Paul Steele
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Online Education ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Online Classroom ◽  
Course Content ◽  
Qualitative Feedback ◽  
Learning Programs ◽  
Course Material

Research clearly establishes the value of online education to foster students’ cognitive understanding of course material. However, engagement in the learning experience requires more than mere acquisition of new knowledge; to be fully engaged in the learning process, students must also connect with their peers and instructor in a meaningful way. The purpose of this study is to examine the value of instructor-personalized audio lectures as means of fostering students’ engagement with course content and the online learning experience. Qualitative data on the student experience found that instructor-personalized audio lectures enhanced students’ perceptions of value and engagement; quantitative data using a standardized engagement measure revealed no significant differences. Students’ qualitative feedback about their online learning experience indicated that instructor-personalized audio lectures fostered greater student-instructor connections and significantly impacted the likelihood of students’ engaging with course material. Recognizing the value of student engagement for ongoing satisfaction and retention in online learning programs, findings suggest that the creation of personalized audio lectures provides an efficient and effective means for faculty to positively impact students’ online learning experience.  

scholarly journals A snapshot of online learners: e-Readiness, e-Satisfaction and expectations

2015 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hale Ilgaz ◽  
Yasemin Gülbahar
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Adult Learners ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Online Learners ◽  
Satisfaction Scale ◽  
Online Programs ◽  
Program Administrators ◽  
Learning Programs ◽  
E Learning

The popularity of online programs that educational institutions offer is continuously increasing at varying degrees, with the major demand coming from adult learners who have no opportunity to access traditional education. These adult learners have to be sufficiently ready and competent for online learning, and have their own varied expectations from the online learning process. Hence, this mixed method study is conducted to explore the participants’ readiness and expectations at the beginning and their satisfaction levels at the end of an online learning experience. An e-readiness scale and an e-satisfaction scale was administered as quantitative measures, with open-ended questions gathering qualitative data. Participants of the research were registered to different e-learning programs at Ankara University Distance Education Center, Turkey, during the 2013-2014 academic year. Analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data revealed facts about online learners, which should prove useful to both e-instructors and e-program administrators.

scholarly journals The Three C’s of Effective Online Instruction

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keri E. Justice
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Online Education ◽  
Nursing Faculty ◽  
Online Instruction ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Meaningful Learning ◽  
Instructional Delivery ◽  
Online Learners ◽  
Online Classroom ◽  
Program Satisfaction

Although much focus is given to the technological and instructional delivery aspects of online learning, there is also much research available that indicates that online learners perceive instructional effectiveness in the online classroom based on cognitive and social aspects more so than the mechanisms for delivery of content. The perception that online learners do not crave a socially intimate and cognitively meaningful learning experience is false, and often these aspects contribute the greatest to the student’s overall satisfaction with the online learning experience. Behaviors and actions that can be modeled and implemented quite easily in any online course that will significantly increase the effectiveness of online instruction are those that develop and promote communication, connectivity, and compassion. In fact, the Institute for Higher Education Policy’s 2000 report of benchmarks for successful online education emphasizes interaction and engagement in the online learning environment, beyond their focus on instructional delivery mechanisms and materials, course curriculum development, and content of the course itself. By implementing behaviors/actions that model connectivity, compassion, and communication, online learners experience a perceived increase in the quality of instruction they receive and an overall increase in program satisfaction, while faculty and the organization experience an increase in satisfaction due to improved faculty-student relationships, assurance of quality education for the community served, and intrinsic motivation for the provision of more meaningful learning. Key words: Online learning, Online instruction, Effective instruction, Distance learning, Nursing faculty, Communication, Connectivity, Compassion, Instructional delivery

Technology and Culturally Competent Strategies for the Online Classroom

2020 ◽  
pp. 207-239
Author(s):  
Justina Elise Kwapy
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Virtual Community ◽  
Social Needs ◽  
Online Faculty ◽  
Culturally Competent ◽  
Online Classroom ◽  
Learning Programs

The last decade has brought an increase in online courses in the educational setting. One-quarter of American college students are in an online degree program, and 32% have taken at least one online course. While students, higher universities, and faculty are enjoying the convenience and flexibility of online learning environments, there is an increasing concern over the support in distance education, teaching methods, and a social disconnectedness of students from the course. This chapter explores how technology can support a successful online learning experience and impede the dissatisfaction and higher dropout rates among students in distance learning programs. Higher institution's online faculty are now faced with the task of creating a virtual community of learners, meeting both the academic and social needs of students.

Using Data Analytics to Foster the Instructional Quality of Online Education

2017 ◽  
pp. 37-55
Author(s):  
B. Jean Mandernach
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Online Education ◽  
Data Analytics ◽  
Online Teaching ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Instructional Quality ◽  
Learning Programs ◽  
Using Data

The growth of online learning has spurred interest in how administrators can (and should) utilize data to drive teaching evaluations, decision-making and program oversight. Within the realm of higher education administration, online learning programs offer a distinct advantage over their campus-based counterparts: tangible artifacts. The reality of online teaching and learning is that every interaction creates a digital footprint of the teaching-learning dynamic. While researchers have actively explored how the data from these digital footprints can be used to enhance student learning, less attention has been given to how administrators can utilize data analytics to foster the instructional quality of online education. Beyond learning analytics, teaching analytics provide valuable insights that allow administrators to efficiently evaluate the quality of online teaching, proactively support faculty, and make informed program oversight decisions to maximize the online learning experience.

scholarly journals The Three C’s of Effective Online Instruction

2017 ◽  
pp. 18-20
Author(s):  
Keri E. Justice
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Online Education ◽  
Online Instruction ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Meaningful Learning ◽  
Instructional Delivery ◽  
Online Learners ◽  
Online Classroom ◽  
Program Satisfaction

Although much focus is given to the technological and instructional delivery aspects of online learning, there is also much research available that indicates that online learners perceive instructional effectiveness in the online classroom based on cognitive and social aspects more so than the mechanisms for delivery of content. The perception that online learners do not crave a socially intimate and cognitively meaningful learning experience is false, and often these aspects contribute the greatest to the students overall satisfaction with the online learning experience. Behaviors and actions that can be modeled and implemented quite easily in any online course that will significantly increase the effectiveness of online instruction are those that develop and promote communication, connectivity, and compassion. In fact, the Institute for Higher Education Policys 2000 report of benchmarks for successful online education emphasizes interaction and engagement in the online learning environment, beyond their focus on instructional delivery mechanisms and materials, course curriculum development, and content of the course itself. By implementing behaviors/actions that model connectivity, compassion, and communication, online learners experience a perceived increase in the quality of instruction they receive and an overall increase in program satisfaction, while faculty and the organization experience an increase in satisfaction due to improved faculty-student relationships, assurance of quality education for the community served, and intrinsic motivation for the provision of more meaningful learning.

scholarly journals Using 21st Century Technology In Online Business Education

2011 ◽  
Vol 5 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Silverstone
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Online Education ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Approaches To Learning ◽  
Virtual Classroom ◽  
Online Discussions ◽  
Font Size ◽  
The Future ◽  
National University

<p class="Default" style="text-align: justify; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">The challenges for education in the 21<sup><span style="position: relative; top: -4pt; mso-text-raise: 4.0pt;">st </span></sup>century are fundamentally the same as they were in each of the past centuries &ndash; holding on to what is of value while discovering and developing what adds value to both teaching and learning. While the future is difficult to predict, the seeds of the future can be seen in the behaviors of the present. Obviously technology will play an even greater role in future education no matter how much and how quickly technology changes. Of greater importance than technology is the thinking needed for knowing how to use technology for advancing education for both students and instructors. Identifying the shifts in behavior that people are experiencing today provides clues on the practices that will be common tomorrow. Basic changes in education include the following: (1) moving from an instructor-centered paradigm focused on teaching to a learner-centered model focused on learning; (2) shifting from an emphasis on textbooks as a preferred source of knowledge to the use of technology as the primary tool for acquiring information and ideas; (3) advancing from knowledge to know-how exemplified in the differences expected from the cognitive, behaviorist and constructivist approaches to learning; and (4) sharing responsibility for learning through increased interaction and continuous communication between and among all individuals engaged in becoming educated persons. Technology, though it may be the key tool for facilitating these changes, has its limitations as well as its advantages, as any instructor knows when comparing face-to-face classroom lecturing with virtual asynchronous online discussions. Today&rsquo;s students are techno-savvy and may be considered the &ldquo;Wi-Fi Generation.&rdquo; In the School of Business at National University, the second largest not-for-profit university in California, a blended approach to learning has been adopted in the accelerated one-month format used for its online education program. This paper explores the effects of some new technological options which were recently provided to marketing students in order to make their online learning experience more exciting and meaningful. National University&rsquo;s online classes are offered on the eCollege platform. Students interact with each other asynchronously through discussion boards and synchronously in weekly chat sessions. Chat sessions had been offered in a text-based format, but the School of Business has invested in iLinc software which provides Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) capability. In iLinc, students can see and hear each other as well as the instructor in real time. The system allows application sharing, group web-browsing, the display of PowerPoint</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">&reg; </span><span style="font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">slideshows, voting, and independent group work. Using this technology, the instructor acts as both a discussion moderator and a live lecturer. The traditional text-based chats are no longer used due to the high student acceptance and delight with the iLinc system. Outside of the virtual classroom, the marketing students were tasked to analyze and comment on the content of selected television shows. National University&rsquo;s students are adult learners who grew up passively watching television from an early age. These assignments were designed to get them to think beyond the surface entertainment to the underlying marketing and business messages given in these shows. For example, a graduate advertising class was assigned to comment on the reality show, The Apprentice, while an undergraduate class critiqued the Super Bowl advertisements. In both classes the students were told to look at these programs critically and share their comments with the class. The use of these current mass media presentations, (which afforded live action cases that demonstrated the immediate consequences of managerial actions), was shown to be very powerful. </span><span style="font-size: 9.5pt;">Overall, the students appear to thoroughly enjoy this addition of topical and &ldquo;live&rdquo; learning tools to their online learning experience. While not tested empirically as yet, these new classroom tools seem to increase student comprehension and retention of the course material. </span></span></p>

Online Student and Instructor Characteristics

2011 ◽  
pp. 2911-2916
Author(s):  
Michelle Kilburn ◽  
Martha Henckell ◽  
David Starrett
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Teaching Experience ◽  
Online Environment ◽  
Online Programs ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
The Face ◽  
Instructor Characteristics

As technological advances become mainstream in higher education, many universities have begun delving into online learning as an effective means of course delivery. Transitioning from the Industrial Age to the Digital Age of learning has forced some evaluators to rethink standards of success and the idea of productivity and learning (Leonard, 1999). Understanding the positive attributes of students and instructors in the online environment will contribute to the understanding of how we can enhance the learning experience for the student and the teaching experience for the instructor. This article will also assist students and instructors in understanding the differences that may be experienced in the online environment vs. the face-to-face environment and provide the opportunity to consider whether online learning or teaching is a “good fit” for them. Understanding why students or instructors might choose the online environment will also assist administrators in developing successful, quality online programs that enrich the experiences for both students and instructors.

Advancing Retention and Engagement Strategies Through Effective Online Mediums

2021 ◽  
pp. 1471-1493
Author(s):  
Amanda Eakins ◽  
Sheldon L. Eakins
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Adult Learners ◽  
Online Education ◽  
Historically Black ◽  
Black Colleges ◽  
Colleges And Universities ◽  
Historically Black Colleges ◽  
Engagement Strategies ◽  
Learning Programs ◽  
Black Colleges And Universities

Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the USA continue to play a pivotal role in educating students within the African diaspora as they provide a practical and resourceful platform for students to develop a sense of belonging through community and organizational outreach activities on campus. However, the student population in higher education as we used to know has changed, and adult learners now make up a large majority of the enrolled population. This chapter aims to review the history of online education and will provide a conceptual framework for incorporating online learning in an institution's student success plan for both their traditional and non-traditional students. The author will also review the needs of the adult learners and provide an overview of how the development and integration of online learning programs and collaborative efforts with other institutions through dual enrollment and degree MOU programs can foster growth at Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Transforming Online Learning Beyond the Digital Data

2020 ◽  
pp. 182-201
Author(s):  
Haniffa Beevi Abdul Jaleel ◽  
Pauline Teo Hwa Ling
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Blended Learning ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Higher Order Thinking ◽  
Digital Data ◽  
Self Directed Learning ◽  
Online Classroom ◽  
Directed Learning ◽  
Character Building

Experiential Online Classroom (ExOC) for Introduction to Business Presentation under the English 1 module at Taylor's University has expanded the landscape of blended learning from self-directed learning to experiential learning through participation in an online learning environment (OLE). The ExOC has been completely modernised and humanised to shape students' skills in a business presentation by building intangible elements of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR), which are character building, higher order thinking, soft skills, and lifelong learning. Human touch to technology-based content encourages students to build a community virtually, which naturally gives a deep learning experience with greater engagement. This chapter explains the design and development Introduction to Business Presentation MOOC as a modernised and humanised blended learning method that transformed online learning. Finally, the preliminary impacts of students' participation and engagement in using the MOOC are also discussed.

scholarly journals Applying the Rasch Model to Evaluate the Self-Directed Online Learning Scale (SDOLS) for Graduate Students

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongwei Yang ◽  
Jian Su ◽  
Kelly D. Bradley
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Online Education ◽  
Student Perceptions ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
The Self ◽  
Retention Rates ◽  
Scale Model ◽  
New Instrument

With the rapid growth of online learning and the increased attention paid to student attrition in online programs, much research has been aimed at studying the effectiveness of online education to improve students’ online learning experience and student retention. Utilizing the online learning literature as a multi-faceted theoretical framework, the study developed and employed a new survey instrument. The Self-Directed Online Learning Scale (SDOLS) was used to examine graduate student perceptions of effectiveness of online learning environments as demonstrated by their ability to take charge of their own learning, and to identify key factors in instructional design for effective improvements. The study applied the Rasch rating scale model to evaluate and validate SDOLS through a psychometric lens to establish the reliability and validity of SDOLS. Results from Rasch analysis addressed two research questions. First, evidence was found to generally support the new instrument as being psychometrically sound but three problematic items were also identified as grounds for future improvement of SDOLS. Second, the study assessed the importance of various factors as measured by the SDOLS items in contributing to students’ ability to self-manage their own online learning. Finally, the new instrument is expected to contribute to the work of various stakeholders in online education and can serve to improve students’ online learning experience and effectiveness, increase online retention rates, and reduce online dropouts.

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