The Development of an Online Adult Learner-Focused Program: Rewards and Opportunities
Abstract
Online and adult learner-focused courses address some of the pressing needs facing institutions of higher learning and students: access, convenience, quality and rigor, and enhanced pedagogy. Increased demands for online degree programs and courses, and the added focus on adult learners must be met with evidenced-based practices designed to improve teaching effectiveness and student learning outcomes. Atlanta Metropolitan State College has endeavored to meet this need with the development of an online adult learner-focused program. SoTL participants will be engaged in best practices and standards for adult learners, as well as online course planning, design and delivery. Participants will receive practical and theoretical strategies in the development of this kind of program. Instructor training agenda and protocols will be reviewed. Preliminary outcome data will be shared regarding the effectiveness of the program which has informed the next steps and direction for the program. The audience will not only have gained a better understanding of the rewards and opportunities associated with this type of program, but also will be engaged in an interactive group exercise to equip them with a practical framework and assistance in making preliminary steps toward exploring and actually launching an online adult learner-focused program at their institutions.
Location
Room 1220 B
Recommended Citation
Todd, Curtis L.; Akoh, Harry; Gray, Vance; and Ravi, Kokila, "The Development of an Online Adult Learner-Focused Program: Rewards and Opportunities" (2015). SoTL Commons Conference. 92.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/sotlcommons/SoTL/2015/92
The Development of an Online Adult Learner-Focused Program: Rewards and Opportunities
Room 1220 B
Online and adult learner-focused courses address some of the pressing needs facing institutions of higher learning and students: access, convenience, quality and rigor, and enhanced pedagogy. Increased demands for online degree programs and courses, and the added focus on adult learners must be met with evidenced-based practices designed to improve teaching effectiveness and student learning outcomes. Atlanta Metropolitan State College has endeavored to meet this need with the development of an online adult learner-focused program. SoTL participants will be engaged in best practices and standards for adult learners, as well as online course planning, design and delivery. Participants will receive practical and theoretical strategies in the development of this kind of program. Instructor training agenda and protocols will be reviewed. Preliminary outcome data will be shared regarding the effectiveness of the program which has informed the next steps and direction for the program. The audience will not only have gained a better understanding of the rewards and opportunities associated with this type of program, but also will be engaged in an interactive group exercise to equip them with a practical framework and assistance in making preliminary steps toward exploring and actually launching an online adult learner-focused program at their institutions.
