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Conclusion
The profile of the online learner population is changing from one that is
older, mostly employed, place bound, goal oriented, and intrinsically
motivated, to one that is diverse, dynamic, tentative, younger, and
responsive to rapid technological changes. This change in profile poses
considerable pedagogical challenges that can be addressed through a
better understanding of the emerging online learner. The emerging
online learner can be described as someone who has a strong academic
self-concept; is competent in the use of online learning technologies,
Instructional strategies are what really make a difference in how adults learn
online, not technology. Instructional methods should make learning
meaningful and interesting for adult learners. We must not compare
traditional institutions adopting part of their programs, either hybrid or
completely online, with other institution the general objectives of which are
business, profit, and then education. Faculties among traditional institutions
are well educated and have obvious qualifications. The faculties among profitcentered schools are less qualified but still holds qualify degrees. The
authenticity of such programs is questionable, along with the qualifications of
their faculty. In most cases, such programs limit the quality of the educational
system and, as a result, make the college degree less valuable and weaken
competitiveness.
A colleague once remarked that anybody could have a college degree, given
enough money. College degrees are for sale. Since it is becoming a way of
making money, we no longer think of the quality of the education system but
of quantities to generate FTEs and revenue. We see people today who look
good on paper with impressive qualifications but who have no knowledge
base. We cannot allow those people to become teachers in the public school
or part of the educational system because they would not have anything to
offer their students.
The results of this study provide clear evidence for evaluation of the
objectives of distance learning education. The evaluation of such adult
learners is important to determine evidence that adults are acquiring
knowledge and to develop methods to analyze their needs and to appraise
solutions to fulfilling them.
6. Conclusion
The current study offers several implications for practice and research.
First, there is a need for
effective instructional design for online courses. The design should
focus not only on the technological
aspects of the course, but also on the goals, objectives, and
expectations for the learners. Continuing to
explore design models that are most effective for online learning will
also help facilitate this activity.
Second, there is a need to work with learners to assist them in the
development of time management
strategies. Online courses are dynamic on multiple levels: information
is received in a variety of formats
and at different times. When learners are accustomed to learning in
more static, real-time contexts, this
can create significant time management issues. Assisting learners in
establishing strategies for managing
their time may prove to be useful.
Finally, there is a need to work with learners to assist them with
establishing community or feelings of
connection in online contexts. Integrating strategies for community
building into the design of the course
may assist with this effort. Continued research related to community
building strategies in a variety of
contexts is also needed to enable the advancement of best practices in
the dynamic context of the Web.
The growth of the Internet and online learning will continue, and as
indicated in this study, it will
come with challenges. Individuals engaged in an online course may
have different qualities for a
successful online environment or elements that are challenging. Each
experience will be unique to the
Summary
The responses of these successful online students highlight several techniques instructors can use to help
their students develop effective online learning skills. Most important is a student's ability to develop a timemanagement strategy to help manage course requirements as an independent learner.
Students who participated in this study agreed that online discussions with fellow students and the instructor
are central to the learning experience. Instructors can encourage students to develop techniques to make
the most of online discussions, which may add to a student's learning experience and promote success in
the online course. The instructor can also encourage students to apply concepts from the online course, or
as one student described it, "use it or lose it," to develop an ability to retain and synthesize course
objectives.
The successful online students who participated in this study also agreed on the importance of developing
and asking thoughtful questions as a technique to engage both fellow students and the instructor. As one
student explained, this is a way to "go deeper into the subject" and that "going deeper makes the subject
matter more understandable."
Staying motivated in the class is a challenge for students studying independently. Students who develop a
personal motivation strategy find it a great asset to the online learning experience, one that can keep them
from losing interest or burning out.
Another technique the successful online students in this study agree on is the importance of making a
connection with fellow students. Students who develop a meaningful connection with their fellows can
receive and provide support. The online connections also promote a sense of being a learner among other
learners.
No magical formula guarantees success in online learning. One important step for instructors teaching an
online course is to recognize that a different set of student skills may be required for students to get good
grades (indicating that they have achieved the desired understanding of the subject) and to get the most
from an online course. The techniques identified by successful online students can promote a rich learning
experience for other students and provide a foundation for them to develop these skills. Instructors can help
them get there.