Overcoming Student Barriers: Transformative Learning in Online Courses Through Design, Student Engagement, and Content Delivery John M. Beckem II, PhD State University of New York Empire State College

Web 2.0 Study – Identifying what works A Demand For Experiential Instruction Web 2.0 Study – Identifying what works Higher education institutions are under significant pressure to provide affordable, sustainable approaches that will prepare their students with the skills they will need after graduation to achieve success in the 21st Century workplace. Audio Video Diversity Panama

-SUNY, Empire State Student Not Everyone Learns the Same Way Technology in the classroom “I think that this technology should be employed frequently, if for no other reason than many people have different preferred learning methods (other than reading).” -SUNY, Empire State Student

“Diversity in the Workplace” – Business Course Web 2.0 Study “Diversity in the Workplace” – Business Course

“Diversity in the Workplace” Business Course Web 2.0 Study “Diversity in the Workplace” – Business Course “Diversity in the Workplace” Business Course None Beginner – internet, email, Word, PPT, Excel Intermediate – create web pages, create database Advanced – IT professional experience, programmer Expert – systems designer

Web 2.0 Study “Diversity in the Workplace” – Business Course None Beginner – internet, email, Word, PPT, Excel Intermediate – create web pages, create database Advanced – IT professional experience, programmer Expert – systems designer

Web 2.0 Study “Diversity in the Workplace” – Business Course Select the technologies that you would like to see integrated into future courses Web 2.0 Study None Beginner – internet, email, Word, PPT, Excel Intermediate – create web pages, create database Advanced – IT professional experience, programmer Expert – systems designer

A Demand For Experiential Instruction Experiential learning is the process of learning through experience, and is more specifically defined as "learning through reflection on doing" (Felicia, 2011). Hands-on learning is a form of experiential learning but does not necessarily involve students reflecting on their product. According to Beard (2010), experiential learning is distinct from rote or didactic learning, in which the learner plays a comparatively passive role. It is related to but not synonymous with other forms of active learning such as action learning, adventure learning, free choice learning, cooperative learning, and service learning (Itin, 1999). …I was looking for something else … when I discovered LearnScapes

High dropout rates in higher ed online courses Problem High dropout rates in higher ed online courses …I was looking for something else … when I discovered LearnScapes

Student barriers to online learning Muilenburg & Berge (2005) lack of social interaction = lack of communication among students, feelings of isolation, and impersonal nature of the online learning environment. lack of learner motivation = the inability to get started and assume more responsibility for own learning. …I was looking for something else … when I discovered LearnScapes

“The ARCS Model: Attention, Relevance, Confidence, and Satisfaction” ARCS — “Motivation consists of the amount of effort a person is willing to exert in pursuit of a goal” (Keller, 2010), and in the context of learning, “motivational tactics have to support instructional goals” (Keller, 2010). For this purpose, instruction can be designed to enhance four learner motivation categories. Attention (A) — Arouse student curiosity and interest. Relevance (R) — Relate to student’s experiences and needs. Confidence (C) — Scaffold student’s success of meaningful tasks. Satisfaction (S) — Build student’s sense of reward & achievement. …I was looking for something else … when I discovered LearnScapes

Solution suggestions Ungraded Polls Informal discussions …I was looking for something else … when I discovered LearnScapes

Rationale Loss-leader pricing = “setting prices on selected products at low levels that generates less than the usual profit margins … For retailers the objective is to increase store traffic so they can sell other products at traditional profit margins” (Busch & Houston, 1985, p.498) …I was looking for something else … when I discovered LearnScapes

Polls ARCS (Keller, 2010) Attention (participation right out of the gate) Relevance Confidence Satisfaction …I was looking for something else … when I discovered LearnScapes

Polls …I was looking for something else … when I discovered LearnScapes

Polls Attention – activity early on Emotional support Interdependency (Hung, Flom, Manu, and Mahmoud, 2015) - connection to the group after results are posted Appear anew every week …I was looking for something else … when I discovered LearnScapes

Informal discussions ARCS (Keller, 2010) Attention (variability in tone) Relevance Confidence (self-confidence) Satisfaction …I was looking for something else … when I discovered LearnScapes

Informal discussions Advice corner What is your movie situation? How is your learning going? Anything funny happened to you lately? …I was looking for something else … when I discovered LearnScapes

Informal discussions Activity early on Social interactions Comparisons …I was looking for something else … when I discovered LearnScapes

Results Graded discussion Only discussions (posts per active student) Discussions and polls (posts per active student) Increase (%) Course 1 (Learning styles, 2 credits) 1 4.68 4.75 2 3.5 4.83 38 3 4.16 19 19.67 Graded discussion Nothing (posts per active student) Discussions and polls (posts per active student) Increase (%) Course 2 (Self-management and self-marketing, 4 credits) 1 6.13 6.8 11 2 6.38 8.6 35 3 8.73 37 4 5.38 7.47 39 30.5 …I was looking for something else … when I discovered LearnScapes

…I was looking for something else … when I discovered LearnScapes

…I was looking for something else … when I discovered LearnScapes

Immersive Experiential Learning Exercises reinforce and deeper learning Make presentations Complete activities Meet with mentors Respond to email Authentic, Realistic Settings Choices and Consequences Decision Making and Critical Thinking Video and Photo-Realistic Interactions Branching Dialogue and Guided Mentoring Natural Assessments Feedback and Remediation

Meeting with Virtual Peers/Mentors Virtual Internships Learning from Peers / Mentors. Meeting with Virtual Peers/Mentors

…I was looking for something else … when I discovered LearnScapes

…I was looking for something else … when I discovered LearnScapes

…I was looking for something else … when I discovered LearnScapes

State University of New York Thank You John M. Beckem II, PhD State University of New York Empire State College John.Beckem@esc.edu