Non-Traditional Student Expectations and Their Impact on Online Formative Assessments
Session Description
Non-traditional students, requiring flexibility in delivery are a new majority in higher education. Utilizing Expectancy Violations Theory (Burgoon, 1993; Burgoon & Hale, 1988) as a framework, the researchers identified both student expectations and enacted behaviors of faculty in online class environments. Interviews were conducted with 24 non-traditional students at two Midwestern universities. Through the research process, the co-investigators identified why non-traditional students enroll in online classes, the expectations they have regarding participation and communication, and their perception of effective and ineffective pedagogical tactics in the online classroom. Participants will gain an understanding of the mismatch between expected behaviors and the reality of the student experience. We will also explore the changes that must be addressed in the design and use of formative assessments in an online learning environment.
Session Focus
Post-traditional Students
Session Audience
Faculty
Program Staff
Deans & Senior Administrators
Primary Presenter
![[photo]](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a0827179f850352ea61f5c720c51192c.png?d=https://proposalspace.com/images/no_photo.png&r=PG&s=50 "Lindsie Schoenack, University of Mary")
Lindsie Schoenack, University of Mary
Contact information
lindsies@umary.edu; Office: 701-232-7088; Mobile: 701-527-4790
Brief Bio
Lindsie Schoenack is the Director of Business Partnerships & Continuing Education at the University of Mary. She is also a doctoral student at North Dakota State University in Occupational and Education Education with research interests in online learning, non-traditional students, MOOCs and workplace learning.
Additional Presenter #1
![[photo]](https://8ca84662c5b8f0cff50d-4baaaf97d63fd7b01243e1b1c57f0cc1.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.com/530/profile_5da6e53c9349dabea1146b0a93772b50.png "Renee Bourdeaux, North Dakota State University")
Renee Bourdeaux, North Dakota State University
Contact Information
Brief Bio
Renee Bourdeaux is a Ph.D. Student and Instructor at North Dakota State University. Renee's areas of research are interpersonal communication, relationship maintenance, and instructor/student communication. Renee has 13 years of experience teaching and mentoring traditional and nontraditional college students in the classroom.