ERIC Number: EJ861741
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2009-Dec
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1096-7516
EISSN: N/A
Toward Deep Learning for Adult Students in Online Courses
Ke, Fengfeng; Xie, Kui
Internet and Higher Education, v12 n3-4 p136-145 Dec 2009
Adult students have become the new majority in online distance education. Research in online distance education, however, is still predominantly based on the historical perspective of the traditional student profile. This study examines adult students' learning engagement in online courses and explores the impact of online course design models and the type of online discussion on adult students' self-perceived and observable learning performance. The study findings inform that age itself does not predict adult students' learning satisfaction and performance. Instead, an "integrated" course model promotes learning satisfaction, while a "Content" + "Support" course model reinforces knowledge-constructive online interactions. The study findings also indicate disadvantages of close-ended discussion tasks in supporting students' online learning success. (Contains 12 tables.)
Descriptors: Adult Students, Program Effectiveness, Learner Engagement, Models, Adult Learning, Discussion, Predictor Variables, Educational Strategies, Student Attitudes, Instructional Effectiveness, Teaching Methods, Electronic Learning, Instructional Design, Computer Assisted Instruction, Computer Mediated Communication, Distance Education, Online Courses
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Adult Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A