Webcasts
What Makes an Online Student Successful? Research and Remedies
Wednesday, September 20 - Noon Mountain Time
Two researchers in a variety of studies have examined online course design and pedagogy. These studies of both students and faculty identified factors which help students become successful online learners. Find out how their research results can help you design better interventions and learning strategies.
Moderator:
Pat Shea, WCET
Presenters:
Diane Goldsmith, Connecticut Distance Learning Consortium
Mary Bucy, Western Oregon University
 |
Patricia (Pat) Shea is assistant director for WCET, with oversight for the annual conference, the webcast series, and the membership program. She also heads WCET’s research efforts in online student services via the new Center for Transforming Student Services (CENTSS). She is a co-developer of the Audit Tool used by institutions to identify strengths and weaknesses in their online student services. She also provides consulting services to institutions and consortia on designing or improving their web-based student services. Shea sits on the board of the Fulbright Association’s Colorado Chapter. |
 |
Diane Goldsmith, dean of planning, research, and assessment at the Connecticut Distance Learning Consortium, is currently directing two grant projects, funded by the Davis Education Foundation and FIPSE, to create cost-effective online student services through the collaboration of public-private two- and four-year institutions. This includes the development of a collaborative online-tutoring program, a technology-literacy assessment instrument, and an ePortfolio platform. A recent research projects focused on using online focus groups to explore both faculty and student experiences as online teachers and learners. She received her Ph.D. in evaluation and measurement from the University of Connecticut. |
 |
Mary Bucy is an assistant professor at Western Oregon University where she teaches the educational technology sequence in the teacher licensure program. She also teaches qualitative research and information technology courses at the graduate level, and currently serves as coordinator of the M.S. in Education program for the university. Her recent research focuses on student perceptions of their online learning experiences. Prior to joining the faculty at WOU, Bucy spent 18 years as an interpretive planner, designing educational materials for informal settings such as visitor centers, museums, and parks. She received her PhD in online learning from Oregon State University. |
