Online and Distance Education Commons^™

Virginia Community College System Online Student Success: Best Practices And Sustainable Change, Lucy R. Hudson, Daniel L. Lindstrom, Monal Patel, Rosa Ponton

Doctor of Education Capstones

Online learning has an increasingly greater presence in the higher education landscape. Students are able to earn a degree in fully online programs and take courses in modalities that offer the necessary convenience to balance multiple life priorities. The flexibility that online courses offer is valuable for adult learners with young children, students with disabilities including invisible and non-physical disabilities, or populations who must work to support families while pursuing an education. For these populations, community colleges play an important role in providing access to education as they enroll a greater number of adult students and have a higher percentage …

Best Practices Of Teaching Public Speaking Online, Sally Dufner

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Teaching public speaking online has been highly contested by communication studies instructors. The need for having a live audience has been a staple in public speaking from its inception. The COVID 19 pandemic forced many reluctant public speaking faculty members to teach this pivotal course online. Communication studies departments were required to examine their stance of offering it online or not. The purpose of this qualitative research study was to answer the following three questions: (1) Is there validity in teaching public speaking online? (2) What are best practices in teaching public speaking courses online? and (3) How do best …

The Effects Of Embedded Orientation On Online Developmental Mathematics Students' Performance In Community College: A Causal-Comparative Study, William Randal Swenson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Students in developmental mathematics courses exhibit poor pass rates. This problem is exaggerated for traditionally aged online community college learners, who frequently demonstrate few self-regulatory skills. Self-regulated learners are intrinsically motivated, plan for success, monitor their progress, and reflect on their learning. These learners are significantly more likely to pass and eventually graduate. Self-regulatory skills can be taught through direct instruction and reflection over a protracted learning experience. This form of instruction was attempted using an embedded orientation in online developmental mathematics courses at a community college. Embedded orientations provide consistent training, opportunities for socialization, and increased instructor-to-learner interaction within …

The Playground: An Online Summer Camp For Deaf And Hard Of Hearing Children, Emma Monson, Krista Schumacher, Annmarie Thomas

Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities

The PLAYground summer camp was developed by the Playful Learning Lab (PLL) at the University of St. Thomas, an undergraduate research group with a focus on learning through play. Through a partnership with a local school serving deaf and hard of hearing students, the PLAYground was designed to provide content to the deaf and hard of hearing community. Over the course of 8 weeks, 84 students were provided with materials that correspond with activities on the website. Each activity is accompanied with a lesson plan and video, both of which are available in English, American Sign Language, Spanish, and Arabic. …

Engaging Efl Learners Online, Yolanda Ramos

International Programs

Online classrooms offer a variety of resources, but they also present some challenges such as students feeling bored and disengaged from learning activities. This research poster seeks to state that we as facilitators can help our students get more engaged in the online classroom by applying four practical tips and three tech tools .

Learning In A Hyflex Model, Kirsten Passyn

Atlantic Marketing Association Proceedings

No abstract provided.

The Impact Of The Online Learner Advising Model On Retention And Grade Point Average, Julie Delich

Doctorate in Education

As more students experience online learning environments, the academic community must invest more energy into improving retention of these learners. The purpose of this research was to study the impact of an advising model designed to support online learners, the Online learner advising model (OLAM). This study examined new student retention in the first 3 terms and GPA outcomes to measure the impact of the advising approach. OLAM was designed to address the specific needs of online learners through bringing together elements of proactive advising, shame resilience theory, and appreciative advising.

The sample was selected from Concordia University, St. Paul …

The Four Transactional Distances Of The Apocalypse: A Critical Realist Case Study Of Higher Education During Covid-19, Lee Ann Dickerson

Doctorate in Education

The purpose of this comparative, longitudinal case study was to explore the distance operations system implemented in U.S. colleges and universities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Embedded in a larger two-year study of distance education in the U.S. before and after the health crisis, this study combined a grounded theory methodology with a critical realist approach to identify the components of the distance operations system and illuminate the generative mechanisms that promote or inhibit effective distance education. Primary data for this study consisted of interviews of faculty, staff, and administration of four higher education institutions at two collection points: first during …

Asynchronous Training For Online Teaching Assistants, Jason Snellings

Instructional Design Capstones Collection

The University of Massachusetts Boston (UMB) eLearning and Instructional Design (eLID) team provides technical support to faculty and teaching assistants (TAs) as they teach online courses. There is currently a lack of support for TAs to properly train them to handle the technical tasks designated to them by faculty. This lack of education results in an increased workload on the eLID team in responding to TAs. Research was conducted to determine what the common duties of TAs are and what roles they should be able to fulfill at UMB. In addition, research was used to determine the best method of …

Making Remote Learning Engaging, Denise Grandits, Tina Wagle

Excelsior: Leadership in Teaching and Learning

This article provides extant background on online learning including best practice frameworks at multiple educational levels. The authors also discuss important considerations of remote and online learning when one is planning or teaching in that modality. Perhaps most importantly, this piece details the account of one highly qualified teacher’s experience transitioning to remote learning during the spring of the COVID-19 pandemic, which can serve as an exemplar to others. This example will demonstrate how teachers can be effective when mandated to utilize remote or hybrid teaching. The piece will also share implications for the future of teaching and teacher preparation.

Making Your Online Life Easier Through Tools To Reduce Student Questions & Master Online Group Work, Melissa Diegnau

Management and Entrepreneurship Department Publications

The purpose of this session is to introduce faculty to three new tools they may not have used to enhance their on-line courses during COVID and beyond. We will explore TechSmith Capture; a great tool to reduce student emails and even receive student praise for your reply, and VoiceThread, a great tool to minimize complaints in on-line group work while protecting student privacy when sharing work. We will close with screencast-o-matic, the free version, for student presentations as an alternative to other platforms where student work can be seen by the public. Out goal today is to introduce you as …

Student Focus Groups: Experiences Learning In Flexsync And Online Synchronous Courses, Brooke N. Burk

Recreation, Parks and Leisure Services Department Publications

In Fall 2020, the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) recruited students who were enrolled in FlexSync and online (synchronous and asynchronous) courses to participate in focus groups about their experiences. Recruitment messages were shared via emails from departments and also on the MavLife app during October and November.

A total of 26 students indicated interest and completed the focus groups. The focus groups were scheduled and conducted in November 2020. Six focus groups were conducted in total with the size of the groups ranging from two to four participants and took place via Zoom. Focus groups lasted …

“Portability Of The Ube: Where Is It When You Need It And Do You Need It At All?”, Suzanne Darrow- Kleinhaus

Scholarly Works

No abstract provided.

A Pilot Study Using Asynchronous Case Discussion And Reflection To Provide Interprofessional Education To Physician Assistant And Physical Therapy Students, Erin Mccallister, Emily Weidman-Evans

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects an asynchronous interprofessional education (IPE) activity had on graduate healthcare students’ beliefs regarding IPE, as measured by the Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale (RIPLS). Methods: All first-year physician assistant and physical therapy students participated in a collaborative four-week online case discussion. Students who consented to participate in the research component filled out a pre- and post-activity RIPLS questionnaire. Responses were matched by an individualized, student-generated number to protect students’ identity. Only matched scores were analyzed. Results: The total score as well as the Teamwork and Professional Identity …

Online Education Practices And Teaching Team Compositions In Australian Preservice Primary Science Education, James Deehan

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

Australian Initial Teacher Education (ITE) has long been marred by instability, scrutiny and high academic workloads. University wide workforce changes and the proliferation of online education require ongoing consideration as these factors have the potential to both enrich ITE and exacerbate existing issues. As subsect of ITE, preservice primary science education faces unique hurdles as establish student-centred, authentic practices have historically been delivered by tenured staff in traditional face-to-face settings. This paper aims to explore online teaching practices and teaching team composition in Australian preservice primary science education via interview and survey data collected from 17 academics in a Type …

Graduate Student Perceptions Of Cohort Delivery And Problem-Based Learning In Online Principal Certification Courses, Pam Winn Ed. D., James Gentry Ed. D., An Nguyen Ed. D.

School Leadership Review

This qualitative study examined graduate/post-graduate student perceptions regarding the use of a cohort model and Project-Based Learning (PBL) in a completely online principal certification preparation classes. As part of a TEA funded grant, two districts (a cohort of 17 students) completed 24-semester hours of principal certification courses. All classes were online and emphasized PBL to engage the students in higher-level thinking skills. Participants responded to an open-ended survey regarding their perceptions of cohort and PBL experiences. Findings indicate graduate/post-graduate student perceptions were positive concerning both the cohort model and the PBL learning experiences. However, participants provided valuable feedback for improvements …

Law School News: Rwu Law Dean Seeking To Build On Culture Of Service, Innovation 12/09/2020, Barry Bridges, Roger Williams University School Of Law

Life of the Law School (1993- )

No abstract provided.

Faculty Focus Groups: Experiences Teaching Flexsync And Online Synchronous During Fall 2020, Brooke N. Burk

Recreation, Parks and Leisure Services Department Publications

In Fall 2020, the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) recruited faculty and staff who were teaching FlexSync and online (synchronous and asynchronous) courses to participate in focus groups about their experiences. Recruitment emails were shared in the Provost Weekly Announcements twice and the CETL weekly announcements four times between October and November.

A total of 19 faculty, staff, and graduate students indicated an interest in completing the focus groups, and 18 of those participated in focus groups that were scheduled in November and December. Five focus groups were conducted in total with the size of the groups …

To Teach Or Not To Teach Online, William Robertson

Selected Works Temporary Series

The use of online course delivery has been promoted at many institutions of higher education as a way to provide greater access to students in a variety of degree programs. The lack of emphasis of online pedagogical strategies has left many faculty members to not consider teaching online, while administrators look for ways to increase revenue through enrollment with limited classroom space on campus. In this paper, the reasons faculty who have taught not online are explored and examined, while providing insight into the motivations of teaching online that could lead to increased participation within distance learning frameworks. Currently, universities …

To Teach Or Not To Teach Online, William Robertson

Departmental Papers (TE)

The use of online course delivery has been promoted at many institutions of higher education as a way to provide greater access to students in a variety of degree programs. The lack of emphasis of online pedagogical strategies has left many faculty members to not consider teaching online, while administrators look for ways to increase revenue through enrollment with limited classroom space on campus. In this paper, the reasons faculty who have taught not online are explored and examined, while providing insight into the motivations of teaching online that could lead to increased participation within distance learning frameworks. Currently, universities …

Teaching With Digital 3d Models Of Minerals And Rocks, Graham Dm Andrews, Gabrielle Labishak, Sarah Brown, Shelby L. Isom, Holly Danielle Pettus, Trevor Byers

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

The disruption to geoscience curricula due to the COVID-19 pandemic highlights the difficulty of making mineral and rock samples accessible to students online rather than through traditional lab classes. In spring 2020, our community had to adapt rapidly to remote instruction; this transition amplified existing disparities in access to geoscience education but can be a catalyst to increase accessibility and flexibility in instruction permanently. Fortunately, a rich collection of 3D mineral and rock samples is being generated by a community of digital modelers (e.g., Perkins et al., 2019).

Comparison Study Between Math Test Scores For Brick And Mortar And Online Classrooms, Marisa May

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

With the emergence of online education, opportunities have risen for students who seek alternatives to attending a traditional school. However, the rise of virtual education has highlighted the challenges educators and students face in this environment such as academic integrity and quality control. In both learning environments, students often struggle to grasp mathematical concepts despite resources that are intended to aid learners in understanding abstract concepts. With an emphasis on state testing, educators are faced with the challenge to improve both math learning and performance on math standardized tests given at the state level. This study aimed to answer whether …

Perceptions Of The Effectiveness Of Asynchronous Online Discussions As A Supplement To Face To Face Interactions: A Meta Review, Rachel Lisa Worrell

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Today’s technological age is evolving students away from the traditional classroom model with over three million students exclusively enrolled in online classes (Classes and Careers, 2018) with many online courses attempting to provide an online educational experience that parallels a traditional face to face (f2f) model. Researchers have deduced that there is no significant difference between online and f2f courses.(Johnson et al., 2000; Nguyen, 2015) however, modifications must be made due to the differences in the delivery modes of instruction. Asynchronous online discussion forums can be an effective tool for improving student learning outcomes (Green et al., 2014; Tony Bates, …

Uncertainty In Academia: A Mixed Methods Study Identifying How Value Statements On Plagiarism Correlate With Plagiarism Reporting Behaviors Of Undergraduate Faculty In A Distance Education Program, Laurie Kay Larson

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Plagiarism is a growing concern for colleges and universities around the globe. Research has shown that an overwhelming majority of college students today have admitted to cheating at some point during their academic career; however, some studies have demonstrated that faculty reporting rates are not mirroring this trend. While many studies detail faculty perceptions on plagiarism, this study focused specifically on faculty plagiarism reporting behaviors at a predominantly online institution. Additionally, this study identified five predetermined value statement factors derived from the available literature and further explored how those factors influenced and/or impeded faculty decisions to report a plagiarism violation. …

Faculty And Student Perceptions Of Teaching Presence: Implications For Student Satisfaction, Analisa Mcmillan

Theses & Dissertations

This study highlights the importance of teaching presence as a necessary component of the online learning experience for students and faculty in higher education. The Community of Inquiry (COI) framework on teaching presence and the Community of Inquiry teaching presence survey were utilized in a cross-sectional stratified survey study. The study aimed to determine if there were similarities and differences between the online student’s perceptions and his or her instructor’s perceptions of teaching presence in an online graduate course. Additionally, research was conducted to determine if there was a significant relationship between teaching presence and course satisfaction in fully online …

Making Your Online Life Easier Through Tools To Reduce Student Questions & Master Online Group Work, Melissa Diegnau

Management and Entrepreneurship Department Publications

No abstract provided.

Perceptions Of Blended Learning In The High School Classroom, Kelli Murphy

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

As innovative technologies and accessibility increase in the K12 environment, teachers are offered opportunities to rethink the paradigm of the instructional and learning process. They are at the forefront of instructional change. One type of change is the use of technology as an instructional strategy. Blended learning is a type of instructional strategy which incorporates both online and face-to-face instruction.

The instructional choices a K12 teacher makes under their own volition to present new content in a technology-rich school is the focus of this study. A quantitative research study was performed in a high school with high technology accessibility. Teachers’ …

“Does Increased Online Interaction Between Instructors And Students Positively Affect A Student’S Perception Of Quality For An Online Course?”, Jennifer Hunter Dr, Brayden Ross

Journal on Empowering Teaching Excellence

Online education is increasing as a solution to manage increasing enrollment numbers at higher education institutions. Intentionally and thoughtfully constructed courses allow students to improve performance through practice and self-assessment and instructors benefit from improving consistency in providing content and assessing process, performance, and progress.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of student to instructor interaction on the student’s perception of quality for an online course. “Does increased online interaction between instructors and students positively affect a student’s perception of quality for an online course?”

The study included over 1200 courses over a three year time …

Perceptions And Experiences Of Online Learning And Synchronous Communication, Michelle Fry

Dissertations

Abstract

High-quality and effective online education is essential to the continuous growth of higher education. As online higher education grows in professional programs, it is especially pertinent to investigate learning designs for their effectiveness in supporting the acquisition of professional skills. Drawing upon the Community of Inquiry (CoI) and the Practice-Based Teaching (PBT) frameworks, this research investigated the effectiveness of one online graduate program designed for practicing teachers to learn new skills (i.e., diagnostic assessment and differentiated instruction) in teaching reading to elementary students. The learning design introduced a new component of virtual presence (i.e., synchronous communication) at strategic points …

The Value Of Interactive Multimodal Online Higher Education Classrooms: Examining The Impact Of Interactive Multimedia-Based Instructional Design (Imbid), Andrea Munro

Dissertations

Purpose: Despite their affordability and convenience, online courses have higher student failure and dropout rates than ground based-courses. The purpose of this quantitative causal-comparative single-case study was to determine if there is a difference between interactive, multimedia-based online instruction and traditional text-based online instruction as it relates to the level of student performance, engagement, and satisfaction in higher education.

Methodology: This quantitative research design used inferential statistics to analyze the research questions. The researcher selected 13 text-based courses that were redesigned to become interactive, multimedia-based courses. Archival student performance, engagement, and satisfaction data was abstracted from both the text-based and …