128 - Engagement in Online Learning: A Participatory Approach to Program Design and Evaluation

Abstract Information: Higher education classes offered in a synchronous online environment that are designed for professionals to earn an advanced degree have inherent challenges that can impact engagement in the curriculum. Specifically, prioritizing time to be in the class sessions can be difficult for professionals with competing demands, and establishing a sense of connection to the community of learners can be a barrier. This is particularly true when the colleagues are from diverse locations with more differences in their work environments and backgrounds than what they experience in common (e.g., rural Native community vs. large urban city). University of Alaska faculty working with educators earning an advanced degree embarked on a journey to overcome these challenges by re-designing the delivery and evaluation of the synchronous online learning experiences to focus on co-constructing them with their candidates from around Alaska. In addition to a desire to overcome the challenges, faculty were interested in understanding the extent to which, if any, their infusion of co-creation of core learning experiences in their courses could have a ripple effect on the candidate’s use of technology in their own practice. A central focus of their work was to create a logic model and theory of action to guide the use of online tools of engagement that facilitate collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and creativity (the “4Cs”). Faculty also partnered with a program evaluator to formally collect feedback from candidates in a spirit of continuous improvement, so current and future candidates have a say in and benefit from the work. By co-constructing the delivery of learning experiences and assessing them, the candidates are involved in the curriculum and a community of learners in a manner that has transferred to their use of high-impact online learning resources in their work in schools and districts around Alaska. In this session, we describe the initiative and evaluation and engage the audience in a discussion to help us further improve and share insights that will benefit all. Participants are encouraged to bring a device to actively use program tools.