Drs. Parsons and Boozang will examine and discuss strategies and insight as to best practice of establishing a rigorous, successful environment for the online doctoral candidate. Further, they will discuss the pedagogical aspects of motivational theory as it relates to the transition from doctoral student to candidate, and successful presentation and defense of an applied dissertation.
Learning Goals:
1) To understand effective practices in remote advisement of doctoral students.
2) Identification of effective, efficient use of conferencing (synchronous) and email/document sharing (asynchronous).
3) Through the development of an interpersonal relationship remotely, explore the successful dynamic between the doctoral candidate and faculty chair.
Drs. Parsons and Boozang will begin their interactive session with a brief (20 minute presentation) followed by an action-oriented group activity (approx 20 minutes) in which members will be encouraged to assess and examine a case study of engagement and work with online students profile, needs and motivation for research and engagement. The final third (approximately 20 minutes) of the session will be an open forum for discussion, questions and answers and will come to a conclusion of highlighting key points related to online presence, understanding student motivation and engagement as they work to transition from online doctoral student to candidate and their end goal of successful defense and presentation of the dissertation.
The strategies needed to motivate and engage with online students are not bound to a given program or level of study. The need for online instructors and faculty to have authentic conversation and holistic support of their students is universal and the diversity of the online doctoral student allows for a true parts to whole discussion of working with and assisting students. As a result, the strategies which emerge in this discussion are applicable to any and all who are working with online students.
The theoretical frameworks used in this study are those of andragogy and motivational theories. While overarching in nature, the relationship between adult learning and motivation is key to student success, and provides a set of operating assumptions on best practice.
The audience will be asked to participate in a short group activity in which they examine and assess a case study of an online, adult learner - and discuss opportunity for engagement and student support. Small group discussion will be utilized.