Presenter: Arielle Norment
Audience: Faculty, Administrators
Registration link: https://ccp.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUlc-GorT4jHtZALni9LJhAQ8OQmg8Psotr

Learning Goals
Participants will be able to:

• Identify and understand the differences between a traditional student and online learner
• Explore high-touch teaching and advising techniques for online student populations
• Increase awareness of free and affordable ‘tech-toys’ for use in the online classroom to keep students engaged and connected

Program Description
“The ways students engage in educational opportunities have changed dramatically during the last three decades. For example, a student can now enroll, participate in classes, conduct research, take examinations, use the library, and graduate through an online setting, without ever having to set foot on a traditional college campus” (Sandeen & Barr, 2006).

With the adult learner and ‘traditional’ student population becoming more diverse by definition each year especially in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, institutions (including CCP) have been quickly introducing large numbers of academic course offerings from a distance. We have been able to see this happen for the 2020-21 academic year here at Community College of Philadelphia. With the drastic and quick increase of online course offerings, faculty and academic advisors may be interested in learning how to keep their students engaged and connected from afar. At this session, participants will learn how to further enhance the online student learning experience through the use of technology and adultfocused resources. Best practices and strategies will be shared regarding how to cultivate and retain ‘distance’ learners. I will also introduce some free, affordable and user friendly ‘tech-toys’ that can be used directly in the online classroom. Participants will receive a handout which will include a list of over 25 innovative technology tools that can be used to enhance the online experience for students.

To guide the conversation for this session, I will be using my recently published book chapter entitled Creatively Advising Online Learners: Encouraging 21st Century Students to Connect, Network, and Engage in Virtual Settings from the book - Online & Engaged: Innovative Student Affairs Practices for Online Learner Success (2020). I also have over 7 years of experience teaching online as an adjunct professor. I have taught for a 2-year private institution (Harcum College), a 4-year private institution (Drexel University) and am currently teaching for a 4-year public institution (Southern New Hampshire University).