Engagement of learners through increased instructor presence in an online degree program
Presentation Type
30-Minute Presentations
Presentation Abstract (250 word max.)
Engagement of learners in an online degree program can be a challenge. The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s Bachelor of Applied Science; Applied Leadership program is designed for contemporary learners. These learners bring unique needs to the program. Addressing these needs means creating a balance between engaging these learners, who often are working full-time jobs, in a way that is both meaningful and works with their busy schedules. Engagement is a focus of the program as we work to retain students and help them successfully navigate the path to a college degree. Using data-informed methods, we continue to adjust the ways we interact with learners to enhance their experiences in our program. Data collection and analysis allow us to assess strengths and weaknesses of the program and move our focus to areas that will have positive impacts on student success. One of the areas showing great promise is instructor presence supporting engagement in an online program.