Abstract Supporting the learning needs of students in online courses is commonly perceived as challenging for instructors, as the time and effort needed to master particular concepts may vary widely. Adaptive learning, an educational method which adapts presentation of material and assessment according to students’ unique learning needs, is gaining popularity in online courses. In …

About Episode 18: College degree attainment will not grow significantly without removing barriers to qualified students who aren’t enrolling. In this episode, Kelvin and Tom consider how online education can expand access to college. Download Transcript [PDF, RTF] Episode 18 Show Notes: Please find various show notes and resources below. Episode Synopsis via Twitter View …

About Episode 17: Most of us like knowing that “someone” is doing research that validates our work. In this episode, Tom and Kelvin are joined by guest Dr. Charles Graham, prolific researcher of technology-mediated teaching and learning, as they discuss the importance of ongoing research by professional scholars and scholarly professionals in online ed. Download …

About Episode 16: How do we see to it that the design and teaching of online courses are of the highest quality possible? In this episode join hosts Kelvin Thompson and Thomas Cavanagh as they dig deeper into the practicalities of ensuring high quality online courses. Download Transcript [PDF, RTF] Episode 16 Show Notes: Please …

About Episode 15: Everyone has an opinion about the role of social media in education. In this episode hosts Thomas Cavanagh and Kelvin Thompson are joined by guest Dr. Tanya Joosten, author of Social Media for Educators: Strategies and Best Practices, as they consider the place of social media in online education. Download Transcript [PDF, …

Abstract Addressing the needs of individual learners in online courses is commonly perceived as challenging for instructors. Design principles included in the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework have the potential to optimize learning in all spaces for all people, based on scientific insights in how people learn. In this session, we will share principles …

Perceptions of quality (high and low) are a perennial problem in online education. What is quality? Who decides? What if others disagree? Should majority rule? What about expert knowledge? Join Tom and Kelvin in wrestling with these questions and more in this on-location episode.

About Episode 13: Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) have been in the news for a few years now (at least the xMOOC variety). It is probably well past time that the xMOOC receives a “toddler check-up!” Join hosts Kelvin Thompson and Thomas Cavanagh as they discuss what impacts (positive and negative) the xMOOC has had …

The Center for Distributed Learning (CDL) has awarded the fifth annual Chuck D. Dziuban Award for Excellence in Online Teaching to Alisha Janowsky, Ph.D., from the Department of Psychology, College of Sciences. The award presentation occurred during the Showcase event that concluded the spring section of CDL’s faculty development program for online and blended teaching, IDL6543.