2019 Annual Conference

Distance Learning (Technology and Online Learning)

Shared Concurrent Session (Approx. 12 or 20 minutes)

This session will address how identifying key historical events and contextual factors and their influence on enrollment trends among post-traditional students in a distance learning program can inform decision-making practices for student retention and academic success. Presenters will discuss the trends at their institution and best practices for their program.

This session will present both current research and practical tools and their applications from The University of Alabama’s New College LifeTrack Program; a distance learning degree completion program for post-traditional adult learners. The information presented will be of interest to any higher education team member, including Program Managers, Adult Learning Administrators and Facilitators, Advisors, Program Coordinators, and student services and support personnel, who work directly with post-traditional undergraduate students enrolled in a distance learning program.

From this session, attendees will be able to do the following:
• Examine the role of data in making decisions for best practices related to student retention and academic
success
• Identify the importance of situational and environmental factors and contexts that drive decision-making
among post-traditional students
• Assess how these situational and environmental factors and contexts of post-traditional students inform
distance learning programs and education
• Compare student services that have been identified to promote student success.

This presentation will discuss past and present enrollment trends among post-traditional students in a distance learning program. Presenters will share historical enrollment data to support the need for program reviews and updates and additional student support services provided to continue to meet the needs of the growing post-traditional student population. This session will also discuss the relationship between the theory of andragogy and the assumptions and factors used in adult learners’ decision making. In addition, presenters will highlight best practices in facilitating a student-centered approach to enrollment and identifying innovative student services resources that support retention, student satisfaction, and success.

This session will present both current research, as well as practical tools and best practices in efforts to ensure student retention and academic success among the post-traditional student population.  This presentation will be organized by topic and delivered using PowerPoint slides and mini-lecture format. Session attendees will be asked to break out into small groups to discuss and compare best practices at their respective institutions. The session will culminate with comments and questions from session attendees.