Giving Them What They Need: Online Orientation for the Adult Learner

The proliferation of online education has catapulted academic pedagogical modernization and digital relevancy to the forefront of every Provost's agenda. Online education continues to expand rapidly throughout the higher education sector and an agile institutional structure, personnel and operational units are necessary to meet market demand. This multiple case study explores how some institutions of higher education have designed, implemented, and maintained exemplar online orientation programs for adult learners. Through interviews with five higher education administrators responsible for online orientation for adult learners, this dissertation uncovers three main elements, the various types of online orientation, necessary institutional supports, and the unique needs of adult learners that are vital factors in the design and implementation of a successful online orientation program for adult learners. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]