Embracing Engagement through Technology in Online Graduate Education

Information and communication technology (ICT) is driving changes in the professional and academic workplace, and it is necessitating the evolution of the education of adult learners. This presentation will facilitate a discussion on ways in which graduate distance education can evolve to incorporate the most appropriate tools and techniques for its online community. We know that ICT can assist in the representation of content, learner engagement, and student assessment in many ways. But as we focus on the advancement of student learning, a thoughtful approach to leveraging technology in support of pedagogical affordances is extremely important in the drive toward excellence. This session will compare developing philosophies regarding distance education to those that historically underlie education in a face-to-face environment. It will then discuss theories that support student success in online learning, including the development of a sense of community in the virtual classroom as well as focusing on authentic tasks in meaningful, realistic situations. Finally, the session will address examples of specific ways in which specific ICT tools might be incorporated in an online classroom. This presentation is intended primarily for higher education professionals working with adult learners online, including masters students, law students, and other graduate students