Barbara L. Stewart

Valuing the Adult Learner in E-Learning: Part Two--Insights from Four Companies

Purpose – To investigate how the adult learner is valued in e‐learning corporate settings.Design/methodology/approach – Case study methodology was used for this research. Four Fortune 500 companies that had active e‐learning initiatives for a minimum of four years were selected. Data for the development of the four cases were collected via semi‐structured telephone interviews. The questions that guided data collection and case development are: what is the e‐learning context in your organization?; How is the adult learner valued in the e‐learning environment?; What considerations must be addressed when valuing the adult learner in e‐learning environments within corporate settings?Findings – Four case studies emerged from data collection and revealed that adult learners are being valued and supported in corporate e‐learning settings. A comparative analysis of the case studies with the Waight and Stewart conceptual model showed that the e‐learning teams are complying with all factors for the exception of tra...

Mitigating challenges of using virtual reality in online courses: a case study

Case study methodology was used to describe the challenges experienced in the development of a virtual component for a freshman‐level undergraduate course. The purpose of the project was to use a virtual environment component to provide an interactive and engaging learning environment. While some student and faculty feedback was positive, this pilot was riddled with challenges. Five categories of challenges were identified and included: (1) shared meaning, (2) software and support, (3) programming, (4) implementation, and (5) student support.

Case Study: Collaborative Creation of an On-Line Degree Program.

Faculty collaboratively developed an on‐line Bachelor of Science degree in Consumer Science and Merchandising (CSM). Part‐time faculty and technical support services supported the four‐member team. Small grants assisted in the creation and redesign of all CSM major courses for on‐line delivery. Issues of appropriate learning strategies, student access, technical capabilities, curriculum design, resources, and assessment were addressed. The case illustrates the opportunities, challenges, and benefits college professors can face when developing an on‐line degree program.