Topic
A2.1: Your Student Audience
Content
Online learners are generally a different
population than those who attend face-to-face classes. According to California
State University at Fullerton, successful distance learning students:
Are self-directed, mature, disciplined, and highly
motivated people who can work independently with only a minimum amount
of face-to-face contact or support from faculty and a minimum amount
of interaction with other students.
Assume full responsibility for
organizing a highly personalized study plan and for adhering strictly
to that plan to ensure individual efficiency and successful learning
in the distance learning course.
Also, the following demographics of distance
learning students might be of interest as you develop and teach online
courses:
Approximately 50% are over 30 years
of age.
Fewer than 25% are 18-22 years of age.
About 50% are married with at least
one child.
Slightly more than 75% are working in
part- or full-time jobs.
About 75% are degree-seeking students.
Approximately 75% have taken some college
courses prior to enrolling in distance learning courses.
Consider how adult learners are also different
from younger students, as noted by Moore & Kearsley, 2000:
Adults take more responsibility for
their education and are more self-directed.
Adults draw on their personal experience
and appreciate it being viewed as a valuable resource for problem
solving.
Adults like to make decisions about
what to learn, when, where and how.
Adults require less motivation to learn
from external sources.
Approximately 75% have taken some college
courses prior to enrolling in distance learning courses.
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