“Normally I tell people why they should consider Harmonize, but it turns out the students do an even better job of it than I do. They “want to hear their teachers voice” and want “community” and I just don’t believe that’s workable with your LMS’s discussion forums,” says Marcus Popetz, CEO of Harmonize.
As the higher education landscape undergoes rapid transformation, educators continue to seek best practices for creating quality digital, blended, and online learning experiences. However, disparate definitions of quality and differing instructor and student preferences complicate this work. This report addresses the pressing need to bridge the gap between student and faculty expectations, highlighting the critical role of student voices in defining quality education.
In seeking to better understand student perspectives on quality online, digital, and blended learning experiences, OLC analyzed data from four student panels at recent OLC conferences and developed a framework based on insights students shared.
More specifically, they sought to answer two key questions:
- What does quality digital learning look like from a student perspective?
- How do students think quality digital learning can best center DEI principles?
The resulting report features seven essential elements of quality learning for students, driven by principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI):
- Getting beyond face-to-face replication
- Taking collaborative action on DEI
- Keeping humans and connection at the center of learning
- Designing intentionally and deeply
- Structuring learning experiences for success
- Supporting instructional development
- Nurturing a culture of belonging
Readers of the report will access actionable strategies tailored for leaders, instructors, and support staff to enhance digital, blended, and online learning experiences. Our recommendations can empower your institution with student-centered insights and pave the way for transformative educational experiences.
The lack of consensus on what quality education entails raises significant concerns, especially as students are increasingly seeking flexible pathways to complete their degrees and meaningful engagement opportunities, which has created demand for more digital, blended, and online learning options. While students value flexibility, they also desire quality learning experiences that prepare them for their future careers.
Capranos, et al. (2023) noted that many students “consistently expressed concerns about expectations, lack of instructor interactions, and instruction quality.” Communication is also a challenge as the Quality Matters CHLOE 8 report indicates that Chief Online Learning Officers (COLOs) are not sharing quality online offerings and support measures with currently enrolled or prospective students. In the report, Garrett et al. (2023) explained: “Even with the current enrollment challenges and increased demand by students for quality online offerings, only 18% communicate online academic support quality to prospective students, 17% communicate technical support quality, and even less discuss their online learning quality.”
Such findings exacerbate the challenge of reconciling faculty and student definitions of quality, since it highlights a trend of institutions not including students in quality conversations.
That said, this research shows student panelists were very clear regarding their hopes for quality digital, blended, and online learning experiences. Seven essential elements of quality learning emerged, including:
- Getting beyond face-to-face replication and leveraging the strengths of digital teaching and learning;
- Taking collaborative action on DEI;
- Keeping humans and connection at the center;
- Maintaining intentionality and depth in their design;
- Structuring learning experiences for success;
- Supporting instructional development; and
- Nurturing a culture of belonging.
The report shares key insights from the student panelists before offering recommendations based on these valuable student perspectives. These, along with the right technology and tools, can be used to guide instructors, support staff, and leaders as they leverage digital, blended, and online learning as a part of their institution’s strategy.
