The Redgate Read On Online Learning

It is my opinion, although not sustained by any direct research, that online adult learners better identify with online institutions that have a brick and mortar campus as well.  I have called this the “Brick and Click” advantage.  In the psyche of the adult learner, it is critical that the learner feels connected to the college or university’s community as a whole.  Whether it’s the school’s traditions, academic heritage, mission, special events in the arts and even sports, each contribute to that connection.   This is difficult to do with a strictly online school.

At Liberty, we require students in some of our graduate programs to come to campus for several one week intensives.  These courses are held during resident campus breaks and throughout the summer.  This has, by no means, been a deterrent to growth.  In fact, it has been a significant “connection” that has enhanced our overall graduate retention efforts.  While here on campus, not only do these students have the benefit of face to face interaction with professors, advisors, and senior leadership, but we also hold special luncheons and events for them.We are looking at expanding these intensives by more offering more throughout the year, and we are even considering undergraduate offerings although these courses will not be mandated but presented as a way for a student to accelerate his/her degree program.  This link, http://www.liberty.edu/libertyjournal/index.cfm?PID=15758&ArtID=227, tells about a recent acquisition the university made that sets the foundation for this expansion.  Remember, “brick and click” has many distinct advantages.

Greetings from Las Vegas where I am attending the Career College Association Conference.   It’s been a busy couple days meeting with existing and prospective vendors and colleagues.

Yesterday I listened to Nicholas Donofrio, EVP, IBM, Innovation and Technology discuss Global Integration Opportunities.  He shared that his personal educational process developed him into an I Learner — one that had a lot of depth in a particular speciality (he was trained as an engineer.)  His argument is that educators must be proponents of T Learning, where there is as much breadth as depth.  His point, based on his GIO research and observations, is that without, dramatic change, institutions of higher learning in the United States will not keep pace with the dynamic nature of the new worker.  He thought we might even see a trend where U.S. students will completely matriculate to oversees institutions. 

Back to my mantra where those of us in online learning will see a sweeping shift, at some point in the future, to performance indicators as a way of ranking online institutions.  Our online academicians must be more forward thinking and developing learning models that promote what Donofrio calls the T Learner.   Global integration will occur in the educational space at some point as it has in other sectors and we must be prepared.

I run across both prospective and existing students every semester who actually fear the idea of using a computer.  If you are one of those students — don’t worry!  You will be surprised at the basic level of computer skill that is necessary for most online programs.  Here are few of the basic skills:

1.  You should be somewhat proficient at using email.

2.  You need a basic understanding of Microsoft Word so you can successfully complete any required written work.

3.  How to open, create and save files is another important aspect of virtual classroom literacy.  This might also include uploading or downloading files.

4.  Make yourself familiar with your school’s learning management software.  This software is the platform for course delivery.  Components might include discussion boards, chat rooms, learning modules, and tests.   

A couple pieces of advice include: Read the rest of this entry »

Ask Questions

As a online instructor, I am often surprised by the lack of questions that I receive from my students.  And I am not just referring to questions on course content either.  I know, from personal experience, that there are technical and other challenges in the virtual classroom that need clarification. 

Here are several recent examples that illustrate my point:

• Liberty just upgraded to Blackboard 7.3.  Although this upgrade had more effect on instructors and course designers, there were several glitches during the upgrade install that had negative ramifications on students uploading files.  You know what?  Out of two sections for my course, I only received emails from three students about how to deal with this problem.  And the funny thing about this was that this uploading issue came during the time in the term when I require a summary paper. 
• This summary paper that I mentioned above has four specific requirements.  As a result, I not only post examples of good/bad summaries on the Annoucement Board, but I offer to review summary drafts to make sure my students are going down the right path.  Here is what is either startling, alarming or both.  Again, out of my two recent sections, I only had one student take me up on my offer to review several of his drafts.

The lesson here is make sure you “raise your hand and ask questions” in the virtual classroom.” Email and call your professor with any question, no matter how trivial you think it is.  Most online instructors really like that type of initiative.  If for some reason one of your online professors is opposed to this, I guarantee you that, if the online school is worth its salt, that professor will not be teaching online much longer. 

Since most of my career has revolved around online learning, whether it was as a student, Academic Advisor, Director of Enrollment Management, Executive Administrator, or Adjunct Faculty, I have accumulated a vast cadre of knowledge (or at least what I hope is knowledge), experience, and things to do and not to do.  From a student perspective, although online learning requires a concerted effort, significant time, lots of energy, and a strong smattering of self discipline, it can also be a liberating, robust learning experience. In my next few posts, I will present several key steps to becoming a successful online learner. Read the rest of this entry »