First eLuncheon of Fall 2008
Co-sponsored by eCampus and the Center for Teaching Excellence
Strategies to Enhance Student Engagement in the Online Classroom
Presented by:
B. Jean Mandernach, PhD
Associate Professor of Psychology and Online Learning
Park University
Student engagement is rooted in a combination of personality, affective, motivational and persistence factors applied to the learning process; it "includes attributes like intrinsic motivation, positive affect, persistence, effort and self-confidence" (Ruhe, 2006, p. 1). While these attributes are important in all learning environments, student engagement becomes imperative in the virtual classroom. Not only are online students navigating the typical learning challenges of the academic content, but they are learning in a physically isolated environment that is often void of the "entertainment" and "social" aspects of the traditional classroom. Because of the isolated nature of virtual education, the value and impact of increased student engagement may be more pronounced in the online classroom than in traditional educational settings. Presentation will examine unique considerations of student engagement in the online classroom and will introduce practical strategies to enhance online student course engagement.
Lunch will be provided. To make your reservation, please email Heather Rhinehart at rhineharthj@unk.edu or call 8927. Please RSVP by Tuesday, September 9 before noon.