The Power Of Praise and Encouragement in Nontraditional Online - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

The Power Of Praise and Encouragement in Nontraditional Online Learning Environment

Effat Zeidan, PhD Assistant Professor Of Science And Mathematics California Baptist University- Online And Professional Studies

THE CONTINUOUS DRIVE TO DISTANCE EDUCATION

• Distance education

enrollment is continuing to grow

• Students are

mostly non- traditional adult students

Seaman, J. E., Allen, I. E., Seaman, J., & Babson Survey Research, G. (2018). Grade Increase: Tracking Distance Education in the United States.

NON-TRADITIONAL ADULT STUDENT NEEDS

Why do adult learners choose distance education?

• More affordable accessibility to higher education
• Flexibility with schedule
• Convenience
• But we sometimes forget that the student is looking for a

“learning experience” rather than just “mastery of content”

CHALLENGES IN DISTANCE EDUCATION

8-week accelerated online math and science undergraduate classes

• Time-Management difficulties
• Lack of motivation
• Fear from distance science and math classes
• Adult learner anxiety from the subject matter

INITIAL STEPS OF MOTIVATIONAL APPROACH

• Instructor - Student Communication
• Informal communication ~ via a welcome video prior to the start of

class

• Encouragement messages ~ as part of an answer to student

questions

• Prayers ~ as part of a response to a student message experiencing

a personal matter at work or home

ADDITIONAL STEPS OF MOTIVATIONAL APPROACH

Instructor - Student Communication

• Regular Weekly Reports: sent out to every student to reflect on

their progress with emphasis on motivating their continuous work in the class.

STUDENT FEEDBACK IN A SCIENCE CLASS

STUDENT FEEDBACK FROM A MATH CLASS

“Dr. Zeidan, What I most enjoyed about the class, is how you brought me through it, it meant so very much to me. You are so kind, I could hear it in you voice, even when I was so "up in the air " with worry. Thank-you for that. You encouraged me. God, and you took my hand, and led me through it. Never does He forsake us, and He is so totally present when we ask for help.”

CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP-ONLINE EDUCATION

• To successfully teach we have to successfully lead our students
• Christian leadership in a virtual classrooms begins with our communication with our

students

DEVELOPING THIS WORK INTO A RESEARCH PROJECT

Instructor - Student Communication

• Survey Participation ~ Students were given the opportunity to

voluntarily provide their feedback to the effectiveness of the motivational approach

SURVEY: MOTIVATION AND ENCOURAGEMENT IN DISTANCE SCIENCE AND MATH CLASSES

Instructor - Student Communication Survey

Survey Focus

• Student past math/science education (how many years)
• Student anxiety or fear from the subject matter (Yes/No)
• Student satisfaction with motivational approach
• Student overall experience

How many years has it been since you have taken an introductory science or math class?

21% 36% 12% 10% 21%

Less than a year 1-3 years 3-6 years 6-9 years More than 9 years

Was this class your first ONLINE Science or Math class?

19% 27% 29% 10% 15%

Not Anxious Slightly Anxious Neither Anxious Very Anxious

OVERALL STUDENT SATISFACTION

STUDENT OVERALL SATISFACTION

89.7%

• I valued the continuous motivation in my online class

84.5% • I believe the guidance helped me stay focused 85.9% • I believe the encouragement enhanced my learning experience 82.5% • Positive encouragement helped me overcome my fears with a class

Thank You!