We had a good turnout for our recent session, “Designing Engaging Online Courses for Adult Learners.” Presented by Dr. Denise Lowe of the University of Central Florida, this webinar covered topics ranging from examining the differing learning styles of various generational groups, to identifying strategies to effectively connect with these learners in online and blended environments. Participants of the webinar identified some recurring challenges, noting that three of the most common hurdles to building engaging online courses include time commitments, technology failures, and retention issues. Dr. Lowe explained that while digital literacy abilities vary for online learners, the “Community of Inquiry” model proposed by Garrison, Anderson, and Archer (2000) is a valuable means to conceptualize different engagement and assessment methods. The three presences in this Community of Learning are social, cognitive, and teaching. Each presence has an associated set of categories and indicators that guide the instructional design and teaching process.
This session was provided by Academic Impressions and facilitated by our Faculty Developer, Felicity Grandjean. For more faculty opportunities, please visit our registration page or contact us at 903-886-5511. Come see how the Center for Faculty Excellence and Innovation can help you.
Image by Matt Bury, adapted from Garrison’s (et al) research. Reuse licensed under Creative Commons 3.
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