Understanding Online Learning | Origin: EL201
This is a general discussion forum for the following learning topic:
Online Communication: Engaging and Retaining Online Learners --> Understanding Online Learning
Post what you've learned about this topic and how you intend to apply it. Feel free to post questions and comments too.
Effective teaching of adult learners, whether online or in the classroom, requires recognizing their self-directed nature, valuing their prior experiences, and connecting learning to real-world goals; instructors should create clear structures and flexible pathways that respect diverse schedules, foster engagement through interactive methods like discussions, case studies, and collaborative projects, and emphasize practical application to professional or personal contexts, while also building a supportive environment that encourages autonomy, respect, and community—ultimately blending relevance, flexibility, and meaningful interaction to sustain motivation and retention.
Understanding the student competencies offers a definitive breakdown of student's general strengths and weaknesses allowing us to offer more effective solutions and/or guidance.
Online learning has become more common over the years and provides flexibility for students.
Online learning has become a norm and now colleges are having to implement other things to make them stand out. It is the combination of online and active learning that creates a more engaging environment for the students to learn. Some students may become frustrated with the active learning portion if they are used to not having to engage with others.
Meeting people where they are helps you to establish common ground and connection; which helps them be more vulnerable and increases trust.
Motivations of students vary. They will continue to evolve over time. It is important to be observant and aware of the needs as each student and each class is unique.
Online courses are helpful for those wanting to complete their degree but require more of a work/life balance. It’s important to offer the same guidance and be available for these students and understanding the characteristics of online students can help know how to teach them correctly.
The format of online learning is exploding and it is important to understand how to engage students in person or online.
Engaging ang and retaining online learners requires the instructor to have a constant presence throughout the course. Also, it is important to provide active learning opportunities.
When we understand the characteristics and most common problems students face, we can prepare content and activities to compensate and mitigate their weaknesses, creating a more comprehensive course that truly changes students and prepares them to develop study habits and self-improvement.
I have learned about very first digital classroom developed at University of Illinois called PLATO and the Online Learning Consortium. Along with online market trends and seven competencies.
There are many reasons today's learners lean towards online learning. It makes it more accessible for students to return to college and obtain their degrees while still balancing family and work life.
Good afternoon!
The four types of. learning. caught my attention along with the seven characteristics. The four types of learning, which are in person, web, hybrid, and online, surprised me because I only knew of three. The web portion is one I had not been familiar with since high school. Also, I originally believed there were only four characteristics, but learning that there are seven made me rethink my knowledge about the online non traditional learner. I believe there is much more I have to take in on the subject.
Students are more likely to take online classes than traditional classes
I will be understanding of today's learners who are seeking work life balance with online learning.
By understanding and responding to these characteristics, instructors can create a more supportive and effective online learning environment that enhances student satisfaction, engagement, and ultimately, success.
Understanding the work/life balance has given me greater respect for online learning. There are many different competencies to consider when becoming an online learner.
I love the term "employees who study". This is so true while they try to balance so many other important things on a day-to-day basis while trying to add in education to better their future.
This module helped me better understand the unique needs of online learners, especially those who are balancing school, work, and life responsibilities. I’ve learned that building strong relationships and consistent communication can make a big difference in student retention and success. Moving forward, I’ll be more intentional about creating open lines of communication with students, offering support early, and encouraging self-advocacy. I’ll also keep exploring new tools and strategies that foster connection and community in digital spaces.
I learned there is a high need for integrity checkers.
