Globalization has stretched the scope of the online learner population from a homogeneous profile of mostly adult, mostly employed, place-bound, goaloriented, and intrinsically motivated to one that is heterogeneous, younger, dynamic, and responsive to rapid technological innovations. This paper describes the emerging characteristics of the online learner and ensuing pedagogical implications and suggests that exploratory and dialogical online learning pedagogical models are most effective for supporting and promoting these characteristics. The research to date has not converged on an archetypal profile of the online learner. Although some situational, affective, and demographic characteristics may cut across this learner population, what seems to be more prevalent is the changing or emerging nature of the online learner and the multiplicity of learning styles and generational differences represented. This situation carries considerable pedagogical implications for the design of online learning environments and necessitates a review of the research to determine the characteristics and skills of the emerging online learner. Determining the characteristics and educational needs of the online learner may not necessarily guarantee success in a distance education course or program (Galusha, 1997). It could, however, significantly help administrators, teachers, and instructional designers understand (a) who is likely to participate in online learning, (b) what factors or motivators contribute to a successful online learning experience, and (c) the potential barriers detering some students from participating in or successfully completing an online course. In order to better understand the characteristics and perceived skills of the online learner and the underlying motivations and barriers that impact successful online learning experiences, a review of the characteristics of the traditional or classic distance education learner is essential.

/pdf/the-online-learner-characteristics-and-pedagogical-2ovwdwy8ht.pdf

The Online Learner: Characteristics and Pedagogical Implications

The current generation of learners have been referred to as ‘digital natives’ in reflection of their apparent ease and familiarity with digital technology. However, questions remain about how prepared students are for university e-learning environments. This research explores student and staff perceptions of the level of preparedness for students for a university e-learning environment mediated by a Learning Management System. Findings suggest that while students may be reasonably prepared to deal with the technology of e-learning, for activities such as, reading and writing, being clear and concise in responses, synthesizing ideas, planning strategies, making arguments, and working with others, students are not well prepared.

Student preparedness for university e-learning environments

Understanding factors in successful online course experiences can provide suggestions for instructors and students to promote improved learning experiences. A survey of 700 students regarding perceptions of online-learning quality was analyzed with a structural equation model. For students with online-learning experience, comfort with technology and motivation to learn technology skills were related to satisfaction with online courses, which was related to perceived quality. For students with hybrid-learning experience, comfort was related to motivation and perceived quality, motivation was related to satisfaction, and satisfaction was related to perceived quality. For students with no online-learning experiences, comfort was related to motivation to learn technology skills, but neither of these factors was related to perceived quality of online courses.

/pdf/students-perceptions-of-online-learning-quality-given-1urkw3m2pf.pdf

Students' Perceptions of Online-Learning Quality Given Comfort, Motivation, Satisfaction, and Experience.

The perpetual connectivity made possible by twenty-first-century technology has profoundly affected instruction and learning. Emerging technologies that upend traditional notions of communication and community also influence the ways we design and evaluate instruction and how we understand learning and learning environments. In Instruction and Technology, Brad Mehlenbacher offers a detailed, multidisciplinary analysis of the dynamic relationship between technology and learning. Mehlenbacher describes how todays ubiquitous technology conflates our once separated learning worldswork, leisure, and higher-educational spaces. He reviews the ongoing cross-disciplinary conversation about learning with technology and distance education and examines a dozen models of instruction and learning with technology drawn from peer-reviewed research. Taking an integrative perspective toward design, Mehlenbacher offers a framework for everyday instructional situations, describing five interdependent dimensions: learner background and knowledge, learner tasks and activities, social dynamics, instructor activities, and learning environment and artifacts. The technologies that distribute today's classroom across time and space call for a new discussion about what we value in the traditional classroom. Rather than simply offering recipes for creating online instruction, with Instruction and Technology Brad Mehlenbacher lays the groundwork for the long-term multidisciplinary investigation that will be required as researchers and practitioners shape and extend the boundaries of this emerging field.

Instruction and Technology: Designs for Everyday Learning

/pdf/readiness-factors-contributing-to-participant-satisfaction-18b5f8fqf0.pdf

Readiness factors contributing to participant satisfaction in online higher education courses

This study surveyed the technical staff responsible for facilitating the production of Web-based course materials in the nine academic components of the University of Texas (U.T.) System, focusing on their perceptions of faculty, student, and administrative/institutional preparation and support of Web-based instruction. Analysis of the results revealed that the majority of technical staff are satisfied with Web-based instruction. Several suggestions were offered for improving the quality of Web-based instruction in the U.T. System, including computer safeguard measures to deal with issues of academic dishonesty, more in-depth training for faculty, better student orientation, and precourse measures to screen out students who are underprepared for Web-based courses.

Sutham Cheurprakobkit

Papers

Technicians' Perceptions About Web-Based Courses: The University of Texas System Experience