Promoting Student Learning and Student Development at a Distance Student Affairs, Concepts and Practices for Televised Instruction and Other Forms of Distance Learning

by Schwitzer, Alan M.; Ancis, Julie R.; Brown, Nina

• ISBN13: 9781883485221
• ISBN10: 1883485223
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-12-26
• Publisher: UPA

Summary

With today's telecommunication capabilities and advanced information technologies, more and more learners can complete entire academic degree programs without ever setting foot in their institution's main campus. In fact, over 100 American institutions already offer distance learning degree programs or certificate courses, and more are on the way. Promoting Student Learning and Student Development at a Distance meets this growing trend head-on with its definitive examination of contemporary electronic classroom environments. Drawing from institutions all over the United States, the book outlines factors and practices that both directly and indirectly influence the adjustment, learning and development of distance students. It also provides a detailed overview of student affairs responses to distant student needs, stressing the importance of building communities at a distance and using a case study to illustrate the design of distance student services. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, it offers concrete strategies for improvement, such as the creation of four new roles for student development professionals as distance educators: Faculty Development Provider, Academic Liaison, Program Designer, and Outcome Evaluator. As a result, Promoting Student Learning and Student Development at a Distance is more than just a valuable resource to the learner and educator alike. It is an integral ingredient to the future success of tomorrow's student. Co-published with American College Personnel Association.

Table of Contents

Preface	vii
Plan of the Book	vii
A Handful of Complementary Resources	x
Part I. Higher Education and Distance Education in the United States
Higher Education and Distance Education in the United States: An Introduction	3	(28)
Trends and Influences on Distance Learning in the United States	4	(8)
Distance Learning Around the World	5	(1)
Cost-Effectiveness: Public Scrutiny and Calls for Efficiency	6	(2)
Meeting Constituent Needs: Public Scrutiny and Calls for Responsiveness	8	(2)
Availability of New Technologies	10	(2)
Defining Distance Learning	12	(6)
Type of Technology Required	13	(2)
Faculty-Learner Interactivity	15	(1)
Learner-Learner Interactivity	16	(1)
Access to Support Services and Resources	17	(1)
Modes of Delivery	18	(6)
On-Campus Technology-Assisted Learning	19	(1)
Electronic College Courses and Online Instruction	20	(2)
Broadcast Television and Teleclasses	22	(1)
Interactive Audio-Video Classrooms	23	(1)
Why---and What---Should Student Development Professionals Know About Distance Learning?	24	(1)
References	25	(6)
Higher Education and Distance Learning in the United States: Knowledge Base and Practice	31	(32)
American Distance Learning: Pragmatic Eclecticism	32	(1)
Pragmatic Eclecticism and British Open University Model	33	(2)
A Growing Knowledge Base for Practice: Major Themes in the Literature	35	(18)
Defining the Field	35	(4)
Distance Learners: Perceptions, Attitudes, and Satisfaction	39	(1)
Satisfaction with Instruction	40	(1)
Satisfaction with Student Services	41	(1)
Learning Outcomes: The Role of Student Differences	41	(1)
Learning Styles and Myers Briggs Types	42	(3)
Personality Characteristics	45	(2)
Learning Outcomes: The Changing Role of Faculty	47	(1)
Distance Teaching	47	(2)
Making the Teaching Transition	49	(1)
Interactivity: The Key Variable?	50	(1)
Personal and Overall Interaction	51	(1)
Teacher Support and Peer Affiliation	52	(1)
The Role of Student Services: Where Does Student Development Fit In?	53	(1)
References	54	(9)
Part II. Student Development and Learning at a Distance
Distance Learners: Characteristics and Needs	63	(28)
Who Are Today's Distance Learners?	65	(5)
Age, Maturity, and Development	66	(1)
Cognitive Developmental Factors	67	(1)
Influences of Gender, Ethnicity, and Geography	68	(1)
Motivations, Goals, and Life Choices	69	(1)
Previous Learning, Academic Familiarity, and Anxiety	69	(1)
Distance Students' Learning Needs	70	(6)
Meaningfulness	72	(1)
Interpersonal Climate	73	(1)
Cultural Context	74	(2)
Distance Student Services Needs	76	(9)
Admissions, Registrar, and Orientation	77	(1)
Advising, Career Counseling, and Program Planning	78	(3)
Psychological Counseling	81	(3)
Instrumental Support	84	(1)
Summary	85	(1)
References	85	(6)
Student Development: Creating Community at a Distance	91	(32)
Drawing on Experience: The Influence of Community Support	91	(13)
The College Transition	92	(1)
Four Areas of Adjustment	92	(2)
Adjusting High Expectations	94	(1)
Adjustment, Learning, and Development in College: The Role of Community Support	95	(1)
Different Benefits for Different Individuals	96	(2)
Cultural Diversity and the Importance of Community-Building	98	(3)
At Risk Learners and Community Support	101	(2)
Summary	103	(1)
Drawing Up a New Experience: Strategies for Community at a Distance	104	(11)
Including Distance Learners in the Life of the Institution	105	(1)
Consumer Services	105	(2)
Faculty Support of Distance Learners	107	(1)
Faculty Development	108	(1)
Additional Faculty Support at Remote Sites	109	(1)
Peer Affiliation at a Distance	110	(2)
Group Oriented Services	112	(1)
Involving Institutional Leaders	113	(2)
Technology, Distance Learning, and Student Affairs: Pulling Together Changing Student Needs, Community-Building, and Student-Centered Learning	115	(1)
References	116	(7)
Student Learning: Student Affairs Professionals as Distance Educators	123	(30)
Student Affairs Professionals as Distance Educators	123	(2)
Faculty Development Provider	125	(5)
Skills for Increasing Student Comfort with Technology	125	(1)
Skills for Humanizing the Electronic Classroom	126	(1)
Revising Teaching to Emphasize Active Learning	127	(3)
Academic Liaison	130	(2)
Communications Mediator	130	(1)
Advisor-Liaison	131	(1)
Administrator-Representative	131	(1)
Learning Environment Manager	132	(1)
Program Designer	132	(6)
Designing Distance Learning Units	133	(2)
Designing or Redesigning Academic Programs	135	(3)
Outcome Evaluator	138	(3)
Case Illustration: Student Support in One Institution's Distance Program	141	(6)
Program Design	142	(1)
Distance Site Directors: Student Services Generalist	142	(1)
Professional Development and Support of Faculty	143	(1)
Admissions, Registrar, and Orientation	143	(1)
Advising, Career Counseling, and Program Planning	144	(1)
Library, Bookstore, Course Materials, and Textbook Services	144	(1)
Interaction with Faculty, Staff, and Peers	145	(1)
Distribution of Materials	145	(1)
Community College Resources: Counseling and Student Affairs	146	(1)
Including Distance Learners in University Life	146	(1)
References	147	(6)
Afterward	153
References	155