Comprehensive Distance Learning Design for Adult Education

Understanding and successfully designing online learning courses are among the greatest needs of faculty in adult and higher education today. An adult learning perspective emphasizes design which has rigorous academic engagement, addresses current and prospective students’ needs, while being feasible to develop (Simonson, Smaldino, Albright, & Zvacek, 2009; Palloff & Pratt, 2004). This chapter describes rapid changes in society, technology and distance learning which influence both course design and facilitation. Beginning with distance learning, the chapter illustrates the possibilities for teaching and learning through several inexpensive and easy technologies, before progressing to planning, designing and facilitating courses which incorporate them. Drawing upon 13+ years of distance learning research, design and teaching, and extensive continued literature reviews, the chapter has a robust knowledge base and model. The aim is to assist faculty in envisioning, planning, designing and facilitating online classes which best address the many demands they have to satisfy