Are we designing for online learning success: A study of an online orientation program

Abstract

Many higher education institutions are invested in online program delivery. Offerings of online and blended learning continue to increase despite declining enrollments (Allen & Seaman, 2016). Increases may be due to well-positioned infrastructure and resourcing. However, from the literature, a gap is evident with regard to how incoming students are being oriented for learning online (Cambridge-Williams et al., 2013). Not all adult students are ready to learn in an online environment. To be a confident and competent online student requires understanding the nature of online learning, as well as being able to implement numerous transferable skills (e.g., communication, self-directed learning, ..