Researching Online Students’ Experiences

To better examine the factors that contribute to online students’ perceptions of quality and engagement, our institution developed a survey that drew on foundational concepts of online learning (Community of Inquiry, Moore’s Model of Interaction, etc.). The survey was distributed to all students who completed an online class in the previous academic year. With over 800 undergraduate and graduate students participating in the study, the data demonstrates critical factors that contribute to students’ feelings of engagement with faculty and students and to their overall satisfaction in their online classes. In the session, I will outline the survey and share the results but also use the data to inform the design and facilitation of online classes. The session can also serve as a springboard for evidence-based professional development efforts on campus in support of effective online instruction.

Oliver Dreon, PhD: As the director of my institution’s teaching and learning center for five years, I regularly led professional development sessions for faculty who wanted to learn how to teach in online and blended learning environments. With thirteen years of experience in teaching in online collegiate environments, I provide best practices and evidence-based solutions to online instruction. Additionally, I also serve as the coordinator for a graduate program in K-12 Online Teaching and am the co-author of the book The Power of Blended Learning in the Sciences (Dreon, Shibley, Wilson, 2019).