scholarly journals Advancing Sociotechnical-Pedagogical Heuristics for the Usability Evaluation of Online Courses for Adult Learners

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Isa Jahnke ◽  
Nathan Riedel ◽  
Kanupriya Singh ◽  
Joi Moore
Keyword(s):  
Adult Learners ◽  
Empirical Data ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Usability Evaluation ◽  
Digital Systems ◽  
Instructional Designers ◽  
Experience Design ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Learner Experience ◽  
Interface Designs

Online courses often include interface designs that do not support a positive learner experience. Literature shows a variety of heuristics to detect issues of online courses. While heuristic-based inspection of usability is a dominant method for evaluating digital systems, these methods cannot be easily transferred to online courses. To close this gap, we identified an initial set of social, technical, and pedagogical related items (STP) heuristics based on literature. Next, we analyzed this set using empirical data from two online courses. In total, we analyzed 195 problems with the goal to substantiate a final set of 14 STP heuristics. This new set allows for efficiently evaluating online courses by supporting evaluators and instructional designers in uncovering the most crucial issues and improving the learner experience. Finally, based on this work, we discuss a definition of learner experience for the emerging field of learner experience design and research. 

Adult Learners Online

2018 ◽  
pp. 2086-2100
Author(s):  
Adam A. Morris ◽  
Michael T. Miller
Keyword(s):  
Adult Learners ◽  
Instructional Strategies ◽  
Formal Education ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Instructional Designers ◽  
Cultural Differentiation ◽  
Personal Experiences ◽  
Course Experience ◽  
Different Cultures

The current chapter describes how adult learners of different cultures experience and respond to online learning, and what different instructional strategies and personnel in higher education can do to develop an appropriately delivered online experience. Adult learners approach formal education differently than younger children (Olsen & Clark, 1977), namely the utilitarian functions of education and the application of learning to personal experiences, and personal needs are paramount to the learning experience (Peters & Associates, 1980). This foundation has a limited element of cultural differentiation and is complicated by using one-size-fits all online courses. Instructors, administrators, and instructional designers must all collaborate to re-think and re-build the effective online course experience: an experience with a hallmark of flexibility and diversified instructional techniques. Effective cultural responsiveness can greatly improve adult learning and potentially respond to a unique group of learner motivations.

Adult Learners Online

2014 ◽  
pp. 16-30
Author(s):  
Adam A. Morris ◽  
Michael T. Miller
Keyword(s):  
Adult Learners ◽  
Instructional Strategies ◽  
Formal Education ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Instructional Designers ◽  
Cultural Differentiation ◽  
Personal Experiences ◽  
Course Experience ◽  
Different Cultures

The current chapter describes how adult learners of different cultures experience and respond to online learning, and what different instructional strategies and personnel in higher education can do to develop an appropriately delivered online experience. Adult learners approach formal education differently than younger children (Olsen & Clark, 1977), namely the utilitarian functions of education and the application of learning to personal experiences, and personal needs are paramount to the learning experience (Peters & Associates, 1980). This foundation has a limited element of cultural differentiation and is complicated by using one-size-fits all online courses. Instructors, administrators, and instructional designers must all collaborate to re-think and re-build the effective online course experience: an experience with a hallmark of flexibility and diversified instructional techniques. Effective cultural responsiveness can greatly improve adult learning and potentially respond to a unique group of learner motivations.

scholarly journals EDUTAINMENT AND INFOTAINMENT IN DISTANCE LEARNING AND TEACHING ENGLISH TO UNIVERSITY STUDENTS AND ADULT LEARNERS

2021 ◽  
pp. 169
Author(s):  
Elena A. Bugreeva
Keyword(s):  
Distance Learning ◽  
Adult Learners ◽  
University Students ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Instructional Designers ◽  
Teaching English ◽  
Learning And Teaching ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
History Of ◽  
E Learning

The era of digitization and post-literacy has changed many aspects of our life. This paper investigates into edutainment and infotainment as an approach to the instructional design of an English course for university students or adult learners, including distance learning. Apart from a brief history of edutainment and infotainment, the research attempts to realize the nature of edutainment, specify the concept, and point out its advantages and disadvantages. The article describes some instruments of edutainment and infotainment that can improve e-learning English. The findings may be interesting for the faculty engaged in synchronous and asynchronous e-learning and instructional designers creating online courses.

Adult Learners Online

2014 ◽  
pp. 134-148
Author(s):  
Adam A. Morris ◽  
Michael T. Miller
Keyword(s):  
Adult Learners ◽  
Instructional Strategies ◽  
Formal Education ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Instructional Designers ◽  
Cultural Differentiation ◽  
Personal Experiences ◽  
Course Experience ◽  
Different Cultures

The current chapter describes how adult learners of different cultures experience and respond to online learning, and what different instructional strategies and personnel in higher education can do to develop an appropriately delivered online experience. Adult learners approach formal education differently than younger children (Olsen & Clark, 1977), namely the utilitarian functions of education and the application of learning to personal experiences, and personal needs are paramount to the learning experience (Peters & Associates, 1980). This foundation has a limited element of cultural differentiation and is complicated by using one-size-fits all online courses. Instructors, administrators, and instructional designers must all collaborate to re-think and re-build the effective online course experience: an experience with a hallmark of flexibility and diversified instructional techniques. Effective cultural responsiveness can greatly improve adult learning and potentially respond to a unique group of learner motivations.

cMOOCs and Global Learning: An Authentic Alternative

2013 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carol Yeager ◽  
Betty Hurley-Dasgupta ◽  
Catherine A. Bliss
Keyword(s):  
Online Courses ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Massive Open Online Courses ◽  
Research Review ◽  
Press Coverage ◽  
Open Educational Resource ◽  
Educational Resource ◽  
Global Learning ◽  
Massive Open Online ◽  
Definition Of

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) continue to attract press coverage as they change almost daily in their format, number of registrations and potential for credentialing. An enticing aspect of the MOOC is its global reach. In this paper, we will focus on a type of MOOC called a cMOOC, because it is based on the theory of connectivism and fits the definition of an Open Educational Resource (OER) identified for this special edition of JALN. We begin with a definition of the cMOOC and a discussion of the connectivism on which it is based. Definitions and a research review are followed with a description of two MOOCs offered by two of the authors. Research on one of these MOOCs completed by a third author is presented as well. Student comments that demonstrate the intercultural connections are shared. We end with reflections, lessons learned and recommendations.

scholarly journals Topological measures for identifying and predicting the spread of complex contagions

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas Guilbeault ◽  
Damon Centola
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Shortest Path ◽  
Empirical Data ◽  
Path Length ◽  
Centrality Measures ◽  
Social Phenomena ◽  
Node Centrality ◽  
Network Connectedness ◽  
Topological Measures ◽  
Definition Of

AbstractThe standard measure of distance in social networks – average shortest path length – assumes a model of “simple” contagion, in which people only need exposure to influence from one peer to adopt the contagion. However, many social phenomena are “complex” contagions, for which people need exposure to multiple peers before they adopt. Here, we show that the classical measure of path length fails to define network connectedness and node centrality for complex contagions. Centrality measures and seeding strategies based on the classical definition of path length frequently misidentify the network features that are most effective for spreading complex contagions. To address these issues, we derive measures of complex path length and complex centrality, which significantly improve the capacity to identify the network structures and central individuals best suited for spreading complex contagions. We validate our theory using empirical data on the spread of a microfinance program in 43 rural Indian villages.

Sustainability Disclosure and the Financialization of Social Sustainability

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Woschnack ◽  
Stefanie Hiss ◽  
Sebastian Nagel ◽  
Bernd Teufel
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Empirical Study ◽  
Financial Performance ◽  
Financial Market ◽  
Empirical Data ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Social Sustainability ◽  
Rating Agencies ◽  
Sustainability Disclosure ◽  
Definition Of

Abstract This empirical study explores the financialization of social sustainability driven by sustainability accounting and reporting initiatives (SARIs). Since no globally accepted definition of what social sustainability encompasses exists, the paper asks how social sustainability is translated into the financial market language by SARIs as they provide standards for disclosing corporate non-financial performance and promote their concepts of social sustainability. The paper uses a two-step qualitative content analysis. First, it operationalizes social sustainability based on the empirical data of six sustainability rating agencies. Second, this operationalization is compared with the concepts created by three SARIs. The paper shows significant differences between the concepts of the SARIs and the rating agencies. While the rating agencies altogether interpret social sustainability with 83 distinct aspects, the SARIs, although differently created, use significant reduced concepts where 20% of these aspects are absent. The result of this financialization process could be a simplified and financially determined concept of social sustainability within die socially discourse. The research is limited to social sustainability and its financialization by SARIs. Individual indicators and their way or intensity to capture aspects of social sustainability were not part of the research interest. Further research should investigate the economic and the ecological pillars of sustainability as well as the usage of such financialized concepts within the society and especially by corporations. The paper unfolds the arbitrariness of operationalizing a qualitative phenomenon like social sustainability through the financial system. It discloses the need for looking at the mechanisms behind such processes and at the interests of the actors behind the frameworks. The paper reveals the financialization process driven by SARIs and demonstrates its simplifying effects on the concept of social sustainability. Furthermore, the paper shows that SARIs as metrics for non-financial aspects are troubled with a lack of transparency and a lack of convergence.

scholarly journals An Analysis on Adult Learners’ Satisfaction in Online Education Programmes

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 70
Author(s):  
Hueyzher Ng ◽  
Sakina Sofia Baharom
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Adult Learners ◽  
Online Education ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Secondary School Teachers ◽  
College Level ◽  
Mixed Methods Design ◽  
Self Regulated Learning ◽  
Students Satisfaction

The demand for online programmes is continuously increasing at varying degrees, with the major appeal coming from adult learners whom are managing with the numerous demands from other work and life domains. These adult learners have their own varied expectations from the online learning process. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the degree to which other predictors contribute to adult learners’ satisfaction in online learning environment. A mixed-methods design was used, selecting both quantitative methods (utilizing survey research) and qualitative methods (employing open-ended questionnaire items), gathering the feedback of 200 adult learners whom comprises of secondary school teachers and college level teachers, enrolled in professional online courses. The online courses were designed using a problem-centered and case-based approach to learning and utilized technologies including learning management system (LMS) such as Moodle as well as functions from the LMS.  The results showed that the items such as learner-content interaction, self-regulated learning design, and Internet self-efficacy were good predictors of students’ satisfaction. Implications of these findings for higher education in providing blended or online programmes for adult learners are also discussed.

scholarly journals Using Learning Analytics to Assess Student Learning in Online Courses

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 110-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florence Martin ◽  
◽  
Abdou Ndoye ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Learning Analytics ◽  
Data Analytics ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Instructional Designers ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Online Assessments ◽  
Visualization Tools ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Analyze Data

Learning analytics can be used to enhance student engagement and performance in online courses. Using learning analytics, instructors can collect and analyze data about students and improve the design and delivery of instruction to make it more meaningful for them. In this paper, the authors review different categories of online assessments and identify data sets that can be collected and analyzed for each of them. Two different data analytics and visualization tools were used: Tableau for quantitative data and Many Eyes for qualitative data. This paper has implications for instructors, instructional designers, administrators, and educational researchers who use online assessments.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document