Early research on learner success in distance learning for adult basic education elucidated the importance of finding learners for whom distance was a good fit and then dedicating resources to ensure a thorough orientation. The expansion of educational technology commonly used today to support blended learning requires a different lens for thinking about recruitment, screening, and orientation. In this Tech ‘n Tell webinar, the second in a series of three on distance and blended learning, we provide guidance for determining characteristics of learners for whom distance and blended learning are a good fit, getting them in the door, and then figuring out how to best support their engagement in learning. The webinar will feature past research and first-hand experience from work done within the IDEAL Consortium.
These webinars are modeled after the effective Tech 'n Tell series developed by our IDEAL partners and colleagues at TCALL at Texas A & M University that provides professional development for the Texas adult education system. We are grateful for their collaborative spirit and sharing of best practices.
- Program directors, technology specialists, and teachers interested in setting up or enhancing distance and blended learning in their programs
This professional development activity/course is designed for:
This second in the series of three Tech ‘n Tell webinars continues the work of helping you craft a pilot idea for a new or enhanced distance or blended learning program by introducing how to conduct recruitment, screening, and orientation activities. We provide guidance for setting students up for success, first by finding the “right” students, and next by providing adequate orientation and scaffolding to support their engagement both initially and throughout their time in a program.
We feature select content from IDEAL’s Distance Education and Blended Learning Handbook (Handbook), which addresses both administrative and instructional issues at the core of successful blended and distance education programming. The Handbook is informed by both current research and policy guidelines and observations of effective practice documented by IDEAL Consortium members, past and present, and affiliated state leaders.
We strongly recommend that you also attend the third and final webinar of this three-part series:
The IDEAL Consortium is dedicated to helping member states across the United States establish quality, innovative distance and blended learning programs; IDEAL has served as a facilitator of collaboration and the sharing of effective practices since its inception in 2002.
- Describe the characteristics and potential impact of adequate recruitment, screening, and orientation activities
- Describe categories of learner characteristics (skills, behaviors, Internet access, etc) that impact engagement in distance learning
Upon completion of this professional development activity/course, you will be able to:
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