Dear Professor: Where College Students Who Take Courses Online Speak Their Minds
According to the National Center for Education Statistics and Education Dynamics, online college enrollment is on the rise. Before the pandemic, online learning programs were typically for people going back to school to augment or change their career or pursuing a graduate degree to enhance their career while they work. However, EducationDynamics found in 2023 that the largest share of students pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees online is 35 or younger. That said, 35% of students pursuing online undergraduate degrees are between 19 and 23, and 42% of online graduate students are between 30 and 35. So, as more and more programs are offered online and there is a monumental increase in education technology advancements, we must distance learning right. The aim of this series is to help professors and students experience a more fulfilling online learning environment by allowing students to reveal their needs and pet peeves. My hope is that this information will support professors in making the necessary changes or adjustments in the design and delivery of their online courses which should ultimately enhance student success and satisfaction with distance education. So, if you are interested in hearing what students have to say about their lived experiences online, please hit that subscribe button and join us every Wednesday at 8 p.m. (ET) for lively, transparent conversations. Also, feel free to comment about anything said and ask questions.
Episodes
About the Guest
Dr. Lee Audrey Reid-Armistad is a military veteran, lifelong learner, and experienced online student. Her educational journey has taken her from community college to graduate education, including earning both her master’s degree and doctorate online. Her story offers encouragement to veterans, adult learners, and anyone pursuing educational goals while navigating major responsibilities and life transitions.
Epis...
ABOUT THE GUEST
Aatman Sharma is an Associate of Arts student at Pitt Community College who plans to transfer to a four-year university. An active student leader and Student Government Association president, Aatman values the flexibility of online learning because it allows him to balance his coursework with meaningful campus involvement. He offers a thoughtful perspective on how communication, course design, and feedback influence ...
What happens when an online student has questions, but the professor never seems to be there?
ABOUT THE GUEST
Mr. Aatman Sharma is a student in an Associate of Arts program at Pitt Community College, where he also serves as Student Government Association president. A creative who enjoys painting, drawing, and acting, Aatman values leadership, collaboration, and the flexibility online learning provides as he prepares to transfer to a ...
About the Guest
Mrs. Arica Chambers is a 26-year educator, mother of four biological children and three bonus children, and an online graduate student. She earned her master’s degree in math and literacy and has completed the coursework for a doctorate in educational technology.
Episode Summary
What separates professors who measure what students produce from those who help students discover what they can become?
Arica reflects on...
What happens when you are one assignment away from graduation, your final portfolio is denied, and the feedback does not tell you what to fix?
ABOUT THE GUEST
Mrs. Arica Chambers is a veteran educator with 26 years of teaching experience. She earned her master’s degree in math and literacy through online learning and has completed the coursework for a doctorate in educational technology. A mother of four biological children and...
About the Guest
Chatiba Bullock is a Durham native, mother of four, and early childhood education professional with nearly 30 years of experience. A former Head Start student, she now serves as an Education and Child Development Manager within the same program. Chatiba has earned multiple degrees, including two master’s degrees, and brings extensive experience as an online learner.
Episode Summary
What can happen when a professo...
About the Guest
Ms. Chatiba Bullock is a Durham native, mother of four, and education and child development manager at Head Start. She has worked in early childhood education for more than 30 years, holds two master’s degrees, and has extensive experience taking courses online.
Episode Summary
When Chatiba logged into a class while pursuing her second degree at North Carolina Central University, she realized she was the oldest s...
About the Guest
Dr. Kye Howard is a supervising probation officer in Southern California, a mother, and a practitioner-scholar whose career spans more than three decades in law enforcement. After six and a half years of accelerated, year-round study, she completed an Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership and Organizational Development. Her dissertation, A Different Shade of Blue: Exploring Leadership Advancement for Black Women in Law ...
Five chairs. One dissertation. What happens when a doctoral student’s third chair looks at months of work and says, “I don’t like what I see”?
In this Remember the Time segment, Dr. Kye Howard recalls the moment she decided she had heard enough and needed to defend her research.
ABOUT THE GUEST
Dr. Kye Howard is a supervising probation officer with the Orange County Probation Department in Southern California. ...
What happens when a student can pass an online course but still questions whether she is receiving a good education?
In Episode 1 of Dear Professor, Dr. Kellie Alston speaks with Alison Beaman about the difference between completing online coursework and experiencing meaningful learning.
ABOUT THE GUEST
Alison Beaman is a returning adult learner pursuing two associate degrees at a community college. She brings extensive workforce expe...
What happens when the classmates you planned to work with disappear after a fire alarm? In this Season 3 Remember the Time segment, Alison Beaman shares how an unexpected interruption complicated the beginning of a group research project. What began with uncertainty eventually became one of those rare group-project stories with a surprisingly positive ending.
ABOUT THE GUEST
Alison Beaman is a returning college student pursuing ...
About the Guest:
Mr. Duane Vaughn is a senior industrial engineering student at Morgan State University, aiming to graduate in December. Hailing from Chicago, Duane expresses a strong inclination towards supply chain management within various industries, including amusement parks, clothing stores, and sports arenas. Besides his academic pursuits, Duane enjoys staying active and engaged in physical activities like visiting the gym an...
Remember the Time Episode Summary:
In this engaging episode of the "Dear professor series," viewers are offered a glimpse into the real-world challenges and triumphs of online learning through a candid narrative delivered by Mr. Duane Vaughn. His story exemplifies the lived experiences of many online students, balancing coursework with personal life.
Duane recounts a particularly tense evening that encapsulates the all-too-familiar s...
About the Guest:
On today's episode, Dr. Kellie Alston, an esteemed eLearning strategist with extensive experience in online teaching, warmly hosts Ms. Thomasina Tafur, a multifaceted professional and a current PhD student at Pepperdine University. Thomasina's academic journey includes an undergraduate degree in English Literature and an MBA in International Business. She boasts a substantial 20-year career at FedEx, developing robu...
Remember the Time Episode Summary:
In this engaging episode of the Dear Professor series, listeners join Dr. Kellie Alston and guest Ms. Thomasina Tafur to delve into the dynamic world of online learning. This special segment entitled "Remember the Time" offers a relatable glimpse into the triumphs and tribulations faced by virtual learners, through Thomasina's personal narrative. The episode promises to enthrall readers with an ins...
About the Guest:
Dr. Mecca Terry is an academic professional with a distinguished background in criminal justice and higher education. With a bachelor’s degree in law and society, a minor in sociology, and two master's degrees — one in criminal justice and another in Human Services — Dr. Terry’s educational journey is quite impressive. She completed her higher education achievements with a PhD in Criminal Jus...
Guest: Dr. Mecca Terry
Website: https://www.drmeccakterry.com
Remember the Time Summary:
In this insightful segment of the Dear Professor series titled Remember the Time, we step into the experiences of educators adapting to technological changes within virtual classrooms. Host Dr. Kellie Alston invites Dr. Mecca Terry to share an impactful story reflecting their immersion in online education's evolving landscape. Their conversation s...
About the Guest:
Ms. Teni Ogunsan is an accomplished bioinformatics graduate from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. At the time of the podcast, she is located in Minnesota at the Mayo Clinic, where she serves as a research coordinator. Teni is preparing for an exciting transition as she gears up to embark on her journey to medical school in Tennessee. With a deep-seated passion for the sciences fostered by both of her pa...
Remember the Time Summary:
In this captivating episode of the "Dear Professor" series, Ms. Teni Ogunsan candidly recounts one of her most nerve-wracking online course experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. This intimate dialogue with Dr. Kellie Alston uncovers the emotional rollercoaster that comes with navigating technology-driven education—inviting listeners to empathize with the challenges of modern learning environments...
About the Guest:
Dr. Sheniqua Johnson, also known as Sheniqua Inspires, is a multifaceted professional who has made substantial strides in various fields. With over 20 years of experience in healthcare, she started her career as a registered nurse and eventually branched out into entrepreneurship. Dr. Johnson earned a Master of Science in Nursing and Healthcare Education online and is the CEO and owner of A Better You, where she coa...
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